Council conditionally approves Northwest View preliminary plat with townhomes

The Kalispell City Council unanimously approved Resolution 6302 conditionally approving the Northwest View preliminary plat and associated conditional‑use permit for attached townhome units.

Planner Donnie Macbeth described the proposal as a 42.5883‑acre infill subdivision in the R‑3 zoning district along Stillwater Road, proposing 149 residential units (111 detached single‑family and 38 townhome units). The plan calls for a 16‑inch water main extension to complete the loop and meet fire flow requirements, municipal sewer and street improvements, and a parkland dedication equal to 0.03 acres per dwelling unit (about 4.47 acres required; approximately 1.95 acres identified on the preliminary plat).

Macbeth told the council the townhome component requires a CUP and that the planning commission recommended adopting staff report KPP‑25‑03 and KCU‑25‑05 as findings of fact. A consultant for the applicant, Eric Mulcahy, affirmed concurrence with the staff report.

Council members asked about lot sizes and how townhomes increased unit counts relative to single‑family development; staff confirmed parent lots for townhome groupings meet the required 6,000‑square‑foot minimum prior to sublotting. Councilors also discussed parkland obligations, stormwater and future right‑of‑way connections including a roundabout at Stillwater Road.

The motion to approve the preliminary plat and CUP passed on a unanimous roll‑call vote. The developer must complete final engineering, satisfy parkland dedication or provide equivalent improvements, and comply with final site review and building permit requirements.