Kalispell council approves North Meadows rezoning to R-4 after recusal

Kalispell—ity Council voted to adopt Ordinance 19-45 on second reading, rezoning roughly 11.7 acres in the North Meadows annexation from County R-1 to City R-4. The ordinance changes the official zoning map to allow later submittal of a development proposal consistent with R-4 density rules.

Staff member Mister Nygren told the council the conditional-use permit for a proposed multifamily project had been denied, but the rezoning would complete annexation and permit the developer to return with a future development aligned with R-4. "We've had multiple meetings with them to this point, and they are looking at putting together future development proposal that would align with the R4 zone," Nygren said.

Councilor Gabrielle moved to adopt Ordinance 19-45, described on the record as an amendment to the City of Kalispell—ormal zoning map consistent with the Kalispell Growth Policy 2035. During discussion, a council member identified in the transcript as "Mister Dab" announced, "I will be recusing myself from discussion or voting on this item as I had a meeting with the neighborhood about this project." The recusal was noted prior to the roll-call vote.

The council then took a roll-call vote; the recorded responses in the transcript were aye from the called members and the motion carried. The ordinance text as read references an effective date but the meeting transcript does not specify the calendar effective date.

The action completes the annexation and initial zoning step; any future development on the site will require separate development proposals and approvals to meet R-4 standards.

(Reporting: matter introduced by staff; final action was a recorded roll-call vote adopting Ordinance 19-45.)