Planning board to consider Core Area rezone

A proposal to rezone properties in the heart of Kalispell will be up for discussion and public comment at the Kalispell City Planning Board meeting Tuesday.

The board will consider a request to rezone the properties in the Kalispell Core Area to allow a variety of both commercial and residential uses, with the intent of creating “a live/work environment,” according to the planning department’s staff report. Commercial uses could include a mix of retail, office, restaurant and other similar uses.

The properties are currently zoned for commercial and light industrial uses.

The proposed zoning is based primarily on the Core Area Plan adopted in 2012, which set in motion steps to remove the railroad tracks from downtown Kalispell, reconnect disjointed streets and build a pathway system linking pedestrians to shops and parks.

City planning and building director Tom Jentz said the response to the proposed plan has mostly been positive so far.

“Working on a plan that involves removing the railroad tracks from downtown is a herculean effort,” Jentz said, “and we will do it.”

Jentz said the development plan includes a biking/walking path that will wind through downtown, options for construction of multi-family housing and opportunities for businesses to build to their property lines.

Other new regulations for the proposed zone include the option to build higher and fewer parking requirements, allowing for more “buildable area,” Jentz said.

These perks, Jentz said, are meant to be incentives for businesses to support and move into the proposed new zone.

“This entire community has come together to support this,” Jentz said.

The new zone will affect 45 property owners within the Core Area Plan boundary.

Two businesses that currently rely on and reside near the railroad tracks will be relocated to a 41-acre rail park, which is currently under construction on the east side of Whitefish Stage Road.

Kalispell received a $10 million federal TIGER grant that Jentz said will go toward accomplishing the vision of the project.

The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. in Kalispell City Hall at 201 First Ave. E.

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