Local marijuana legislation began to take shape this week when the Kalispell Planning Board recommended approval of a zoning text amendment regarding recreational marijuana.

The Montana Legislature legalized recreational marijuana in May. The new legislation gave local governments the final say in rolling out marijuana legalization. That left the Kalispell government to decide where marijuana can be grown, processed and sold in the city.

The board on Tuesday passed a zoning text amendment that would allow dispensaries to operate in the business and industrial zones. Cultivation and manufacturing would be allowed in all industrial zones.

Dispensaries essentially would operate like liquor stores, Senior Planner P.J. Sorenson told the board, and would require an administrative conditional-use permit before getting up and running. Such permits carry a requirement to notify neighbors of the proposed use before an applicant secures government approval for the property.

“There’s different points of view on how these would fit within a neighborhood,” Sorenson said regarding the stipulation for an administrative conditional-use permit. “Typically, any type of use that’s maybe a little bit different than what somebody might expect going in next to them, you see an administrative CUP.”

Businesses in the marijuana industry would be separated by a 300-foot buffer from churches, schools, parks, and city residential (R or RA) zones.

The only board member to vote against the zoning text amendment was Kurt Vomfell. The proposal won’t go into effect until it’s approved by the Kalispell City Council.

The board also considered two large development proposals on Tuesday, including the approval of a 480-unit proposal on 38.4 acres of land at the northeast corner of Airport and Cemetery roads.

G23 Properties LLC requested a residential mixed-use planned-unit development overlay in order to create a subdivision called Parkland Meadows. Just over 31 acres would be annexed into the city and zoned residential apartment, while the other 7.1 acres would be annexed and zoned neighborhood business.

The proposal garnered substantial public input. Six public commenters gave feedback on the proposal during the meeting. They raised questions about impacts to neighboring properties, roadways that could be built to accommodate the development and the effect of the Kalispell City Airport on the new neighborhood.

The proposal passed unanimously, although Rory Young abstained from the vote.

The Planning Board also gave its approval for Starling Phases 1-8, a residential mixed-use planned-unit development overlay.

The identified property encompasses approximately 58 acres on the west side of Stillwater Road, to the west of Timberwolf Parkway.

Bozeman developer Kilday & Stratton proposed the development, which could include 77 residential units divided between single-family homes and townhomes. Common areas, neighborhood retail space and office space could also be part of the development.

Both development proposals will require approval from the City Council before they can move forward.

Reporter Bret Anne Serbin may be reached at 406-758-4459 or bserbin@dailyinterlake.com.