Kalispell Council approves development of Tronstad Meadows and Whitetail Crossing

The Kalispell City Council on Monday night approved a proposal to develop Tronstad Meadows and Whitetail Crossing located off US Highway 93 — greenlighting a new scaled-down version of the proposal after the previous council rejected a rezoning for the original project last June.

In a 5-2 vote, aldermen approved the preliminary plan, planned unit development and rezoning to R-2, which allows for higher density, with aldermen Jed Fisher and Ryan Hunter voting against. The council also approved an annexation bringing the property into city limits in a separate 6-1 vote, with Fisher voting against. Councilors Sid Daoud and Jessica Dahlman were absent from the vote.

Last month, the Kalispell Planning Commission approved the scaled-down proposal after it was resubmitted following the council’s rejection of the original proposal’s rezoning last June.

Following council rejection five months ago, developers Frank Garner and Jon Sonju — both former Republican lawmakers — returned with a project that reduced the density from 380 lots to 355. The minimum lot sizes would be 6,000 square meters, with the largest lot of 19,878 square meters. . The original proposal included a maximum lot size of 10,000 square feet.

The developers also adjusted the layout of the proposed subdivision to include buffering along its boundaries, placing smaller lots inland and starting the initial phases on the southeast corner to provide the least impact to neighbors. Accessory dwelling units and short-term rentals would be prohibited in the development to prevent further congestion.

Local councilors at their June meeting approved a change to the growth policy.

Some councilors felt the changes introduced by the developers significantly improved the project and addressed concerns about density, layout, construction timing and infrastructure upgrades.

“There’s a lot of changes we’ve seen here, and some of them are big,” said Council President Chad Graham. “Some of them are huge concessions.”

The project also involves working with the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) to install right and left turn lanes on Tronstad Road and Silverbrook Drive, traffic signals at the intersection with US Highway 93 and a deceleration lane, which officials said would not be possible. no development.

“Montana is a backward state,” said Mayor Mark Johnson. “Like I said, to improve anything on the highway system, we have to have developers. What we see is an opportunity where we can have a win – not on the taxpayers’ money – but dare I say from the developer’s side.”

However, other councilors were not convinced the scaled-down proposal would address concerns raised about the previous iteration of the project.

“I think it’s a safety issue on this road,” Fisher said.

Councilor Hunter was also concerned about safety issues and did not support extensive development without a mix of housing options to meet a variety of needs.

“It’s a development model that doesn’t work — it’s broken — and I don’t want to see the same mistake made in my community,” Hunter said. “With this, it’s going in the wrong direction.”

The approval ended a saga that began last April when the original proposal was presented to the city planning commission, drawing widespread criticism from neighbors. Members of the public cited issues such as a lack of emergency services, traffic congestion, safety and a transformation of the rural character of the area.

Dozens of neighbors at the Nov. 4 meeting offered hours of public testimony and comments opposing the development, reiterating concerns and casting doubt that the revamped proposal would address the concerns.

“For those of you who might remember Joni Mitchell’s song ‘Big Yellow Taxi,’ don’t pave over paradise,” said Amy Vanderbilt. “Think about where it should be and think about long-term planning for this valley that we all love so much and that others have shared. We don’t want it destroyed.”

A handful of supporters spoke in support of the project, saying it would fill a local labor need and help address a shortage of smaller-lot, higher-density housing.

“We rejected the idea that we should have a bunch of mansions on septic and wells out there on this piece of land and that there’s a better use for the people who live and work here,” Garner said.

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