In an effort to bolster development at the Glacier Rail Park, the Kalispell Planning Board on Tuesday night will discuss the option of implementing a new funding mechanism.

The board will discuss establishing a Targeted Economic Development District on 49 acres within the Glacier Rail Park, the future site for rail-served businesses in Kalispell. The district would use the money generated from the existing tax base to further develop the rail park’s infrastructure, Kalispell Planning and Building Director Tom Jentz said.

“It doesn’t raise anyone’s taxes,” Jentz said. “It takes the existing tax revenue from that area and puts it back into the rail park.”

The development district is similar to a tax increment financing district, although a tax-increment district is used to fund revitalization projects while the new development district is used for economic development.

The money could be used to finance infrastructure projects such as roadways and water and sewer services in the new rail park on the east edge of Kalispell.

If the Planning Board agrees to move forward with the development district at Glacier Rail Park, Jentz said the next step would be receiving input from a public hearing next month before passing a recommendation on to the City Council.

In other business, the Planning Board consider creating a B-3 business zone in the ongoing Core and Rail Redevelopment Plan. Originally, B-3 zones were rolled into B-2 zones for general business ordinances. The new B-3 zone would allow a mix of both commercial and residential development within the areas cut out from development by the current location of the railway traversing through Kalispell.

After voting on the B-3 zone creation, the board will decide on the city’s request to change 12 lots from B-2 General Business zones to B-3 Core Area Business zones. The area is bordered by U.S. 2, Montana Street, U.S. 93 and the alleyway to the east of Moose’s Saloon.

The board will also hold an update meeting on the South Kalispell Urban Renewal Plan as public comments continue to come in on the recommendations made in the plan.

The Planning Board meeting will begin at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the City Council Chambers at 201 First Ave. E.

Reporter Seaborn Larson may be reached at 758-4441 or by email at slarson@dailyinterlake.com.