Kalispell City Council has approved a few amendments to the Silverbrook Estates planned-unit development agreement aimed at stimulating interest within the commercial area of the neighborhood.

The council Feb. 21 unanimously voted to amend the document to allow two-story buildings within Silverbrook’s designated commercial area near the intersection of Church Drive and U.S. 93. The total footprint of all buildings in the commercial zone is capped at 120,000 square feet, with the largest building footprint not to exceed 25,000 square feet.

Silverbrook Development consultant Howard Mann told council that homeowners in the neighborhood showed unanimous support for the PUD amendments during a recent meeting.

THE COUNCIL also approved the issue of revenue bonds to finance the expansion project of Immanuel Lutheran Corporation.

The resolution authorizes the city to issue bonds in an amount of up to $75,000,000.

The corporation’s CEO Jason Cronk spoke in a public hearing, detailing the multi-stage master plan to upgrade the full-service retirement community.

The council also heard from Immanuel Lutheran’s bond attorney, Ben Johnson, who emphasized that the bond would not create an obligation for repayment by the city. Johnson also spoke to the value the community served to the community.

A unanimous vote from the council approved the bond.

For a full agenda, go to http://www.kalispell.com/mayor_and_city_council/agenda.php.

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