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Commissioners approve Homala zone change, rezoning 14.69 acres to light industrial
Summary
The board adopted Resolution 797JE to rezone about 14.69 acres at 1890 Whitefish Stage from SAG‑10 (suburban agricultural) to I‑1 (light industrial), following a unanimous planning‑board recommendation; the City of Kalispell raised annexation and service‑extension concerns.
The Flathead County Board of Commissioners on Aug. 5 adopted Resolution 797JE to rezone approximately 14.69 acres at 1890 Whitefish Stage from SAG‑10 (suburban agricultural) to I‑1 (light industrial).
Erin Appert of Planning and Zoning summarized the application and agency comments: the parcel includes a single‑family dwelling and outbuildings and abuts existing industrial zoning; Environmental Health noted septic permitting implications, Evergreen Water and Sewer said the site is outside current service area (water main extension and annexation may be required to connect), and the City of Kalispell asked that development occur within city jurisdiction via annexation. Appert said the city's water/sewer infrastructure appears roughly 1,500 feet from the property.
The planning board held a hearing, amended finding of fact No. 5 and voted 7–0 to recommend approval. Appert presented findings that the proposed I‑1 zoning "generally meets the goals and Flathead County growth policy," provides adequate transportation capacity (projected ADT range presented in staff materials) and would be compatible with surrounding uses. A commissioner moved to adopt the findings and then the resolution; the motion passed.
Why it matters: rezoning to light industrial allows parcel subdivision and use for industrial or business‑park development and aligns county zoning with adjacent industrial uses, but the City of Kalispell’s annexation preference and the need for water/sewer connections mean any development will likely require coordination with city utilities and potentially annexation.
Next steps: the resolution was adopted; any future development will require permitting (septic or public sewer), possible annexation discussions, and compliance with county and state on‑site sewage rules if on‑site systems are used.
