Major west-side apartment project OK'd by City Council

Plans for a large-scale apartment complex for Kalispell’s west side received the green light from City Council on Monday night.

Davison Development is planning the project for Meridian Court off South Meridian Road. When finished, the project will include six multi-family buildings with 18 units each for a total of 108 apartments.

The buildings will each be three-stories tall and approximately 7,700 square feet in size.

The 4.2-acre property sits on the western end of Meridian Court, just north of Second Street West and east of the BNSF Railway tracks.

The site plan includes an internal road system, 177 parking spaces, landscaping, sidewalks, open space and storm water areas. According to the city manager’s report, a traffic study will be conducted prior to the beginning of construction.

The site is within walking distance of Peterson Elementary School, and an average of 54 K-12 students are expected for the 108 units.

In addition to off-street parking, future residents will have access to a playground and gazebos, which will be implemented to meet the multi-family recreation area requirement. A picnic area will be created adjacent to future city trails that will take the place of the railroad tracks once the tracks are abandoned.

Both Kalispell Mayor Mark Johnson and council member Rod Kuntz praised the project, stating that having different types of housing available creates a diverse look in the city’s neighborhoods and provides housing for people of different demographics.

Council approved the request unanimously after a brief discussion.

Reporter Mary Cloud Taylor can be reached at 758-4459 or mtaylor@dailyinterlake.com.