Kalispell Council approves development of Tronstad Meadows and Whitetail Crossing

The Kalispell City Council on Monday evening approved a proposal for the development of Tronstad Meadows and Whitetail Crossing, located off US Highway 93 – giving the green light to a new, scaled-down version of the proposal after the council previously decided rejected a zone change for the original project last June.

In a 5-2 vote, council members approved the preliminary plan, planned unit development and rezoning to R-2, which allows for higher density, with council members Jed Fisher and Ryan Hunter voting no. The council also approved an annexation, bringing the property within city limits, in a separate vote 6-1, with Fisher voting against. Councilors Sid Daoud and Jessica Dahlman were absent during the vote.

Last month, the Kalispell Planning Commission approved the scaled-down proposal after it was brought forward again following the City Council’s denial of the zone change in the original proposal last June.

After the council’s 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 size would be 6,000 square feet, with the largest lot on 19,878 square meters. . The original proposal included a maximum lot size of 10,000 square meters.

Developers also adjusted the layout of the proposed subdivision to include buffering along the boundaries, locating smaller parcels inland and beginning the first phases in the southeast corner to have the least impact on neighbors. Accessory dwellings and short-term rentals would be prohibited from the development to prevent further congestion.

City council members approved a change in growth policy during the June meeting.

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

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

The project also includes a partnership with the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) to install right and left lanes at Tronstad Road and Silverbrook Drive, traffic signals at the intersection with U.S. Highway 93 and a deceleration lane, which officials said won’t be possible would be. without the development.

“Montana is a backward state,” Mayor Mark Johnson said. “Like we said, if we want to improve the highway system, we need developers. What we see is an opportunity where we can win – not on the taxpayer’s dime – but dare I say on the developer’s dime.”

However, other councilors were not convinced the scaled-back proposal would address concerns raised about the earlier version of the project.

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

Councilman Hunter was also concerned about safety issues, and he was not in favor of a sprawling development without a mix of housing options to meet a variety of needs.

“It’s a pattern of development that isn’t working — it’s broken — and I don’t want the same mistake to be made in my community,” Hunter said. “This is going in the wrong direction.”

The approval ended the saga that began last April when the original proposal was presented to the planning commission, drawing widespread criticism from neighbors. Public members have 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 provided hours of public testimony and comments opposing the development, repeating their concerns and casting doubt that the updated proposal would address concerns.

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

A handful of advocates expressed support for the project, saying it would fill a need for local workers and help address the housing shortage with smaller lots and higher density.

“We rejected the idea that we should have a bunch of townhouses on this piece of land with septic tanks and wells and that there would be a better use for the people who live and work here,” Garner said.

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