The Kalispell Planning Board begins its review of a fourth phase of commercial development in north Kalispell during a work session that follows tonight’s board meeting.

The Missouri-based Kroenke Group plans to develop 28 acres south of Costco. Spring Prairie Center Phase 4 — on property referred to as Victory Commons — calls for 14 building pads on state school trust land on the southwest corner of Old Reserve Drive and U.S. 93.

The property encompasses the former Department of Natural Resources and Conservation property in an L-shaped parcel. It borders the Kidsports Complex and is just south of McDonald’s and Costco.

No information is available yet about the stores to be built there.

The Planning Board has invited adjoining property owners to attend the work session. The planning staff will give an overview of the project and answer questions.

This is a courtesy meeting in preparation for a formal public hearing scheduled March 10, according to Planning Director Tom Jentz.

Four specific approvals are needed from the city of Kalispell to move the project forward:

• The Kroenke Group must get a growth policy map amendment. Five of the 28 acres are designated for commercial development, while the remaining 23 acres are designated public and open space. The amendment would change the growth policy designation to commercial for the entire site.
• A zone change map amendment is required to change the zoning from P-1, or public, to B-5 business to accommodate the proposed retail and service uses.
• A planned-unit development overlay has been requested as a zoning tool to allow flexibility in layout and improve the overall design.
• Subdivision approval is required to ensure the proper planning and oversight of public utilities, streets, intersections and traffic control.

The Kroenke Group is asking for a new stoplight at the intersection of U.S. 93 and the highway entrance to Flathead Valley Community College. There also would be two access points to the shopping center from Old Reserve Drive.

The Montana Department of Transportation ultimately will have to approve the access points.

Stormwater also is a significant factor, Jentz said in a memorandum to the Planning Board.

The property contains a pond on the west side that serves as a drainage area for about 90 percent of the 28-acre site and also for the nearby Costco site.

The developer proposes to regrade the entire site and fill the pond. Stormwater would be shifted to a retention pond on the southern border of the site.

The Kroenke Group also is proposing a private recreational facility on the southern border to serve as a transition from the commercial development to the Kidsports complex.

During the board meeting that begins at 7 p.m. today at Kalispell City Hall, public hearings will be held in response to Flathead County’s notice of intent to develop public land contrary to local zoning regulations. State and local governments are allowed to declare exemptions from some or all of local zoning regulations.

The first hearing focuses on the proposed South Campus Building, a two-story county building planned at the corner of First Avenue West and 11th Street West. The lots on which the building will be constructed are zoned R-4 residential while lots to accommodate parking are zoned R-5 residential/professional office.

A second public hearing focuses on the county’s plan to build a maintenance shop and garage one block south of the South Campus Building, on 12th Street West between First and Second avenues west. The property is zoned R-4 residential.

Once an agency — Flathead County in this case — makes a declaration of exemption, neither the Planning Board nor the city of Kalispell can make any decision or recommendation based on public comment, and no further action is required at or after the meeting, according to a memorandum planner P.J. Sorensen sent to the Planning Board. Instead, the sole purpose is to provide comments to the county for consideration.

For more information or to see the full agenda of tonight’s meeting, visit www.kalispell.com/planning.