Proposed respite home under consideration

Kalispell City Council will consider a conditional-use permit request from Terry and Lori Williamson for a community center at 15 Glacier View Drive during tonight’s meeting.

The Williamsons want to build a day-use respite home for families of children undergoing medical treatment at Kalispell Regional Medical Center. Lori Williamson said in her proposal the goal is to have a place for parents and siblings to escape the medical environment for a few hours.

Three neighboring homeowners voiced opposition to the project during the April 9 Planning Board meeting. The neighbors expressed fears of extra traffic and a lack of control over who would be visiting the home, though the plans are that it will be an invitation-only facility.

Neighbors also expressed concerns over the lack of a sidewalk along Glacier View Drive, though the Williamsons have pledged to pay for a new sidewalk stretching from the home to the hospital. All but one of the Planning Board members voted to recommend the permit.

The council will also accept comments regarding its intent to annex 240 acres at the intersection of Church Drive and U.S. 93 North for a mix of retail and residential uses, and a zone change of almost 6 acres on North Meridian Road from urban residential to urban mixed use.

Council is also considering a resolution recommending that the Montana Department of Transportation change the designation of West Reserve Drive from a state urban road to a state primary road to provide quicker access to funding for improvements.

Other recommendations to be discussed are the adoption of the wastewater facility plant plan, a funding update for the Kalispell Area Transportation Plan, and appointments and confirmations to citizen advisory boards and committees.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 201 First Ave. E.