Kalispell Council holds hearing on additions to Eagle Valley Ranch
HEIDI DESCH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 years AGO
DEPUTY EDITOR, FEATURES Heidi Desch is the Deputy Editor at the Daily Inter Lake, overseeing coverage of arts, culture, lifestyle, community, and business. Desch leads reporters in developing stories that highlight the people, traditions, and events shaping Northwest Montana, guiding content across print and digital platforms. With more than 20 years of journalism experience, including serving as managing editor of the Whitefish Pilot, Desch is a graduate of the University of Montana School of Journalism. She has received multiple Montana Newspaper Association awards, including part of the team leading the Daily Inter Lake to Best Daily Newspaper in Montana Award and the General Excellence Award in 2024 and 2025. IMPACT: Heidi’s work connects readers with stories that deepen the understanding of the community beyond daily news. | June 20, 2022 12:50 AM
Kalispell City Council on Monday is set to hold a public hearing on several requests pertaining to addition of property to the Eagle Valley Ranch development on U.S. 93 North.
Spartan Holdings is requesting a zoning map amendment, growth policy map amendment and annexation with initial zoning for 6.8 acres of land at 3201 U.S. 93.
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. in City Hall, 201 First Avenue East.
The Eagle Valley Ranch PUD was created in 2018 and the request is for a growth policy map amendment, annexation and initial zoning by including additional acreage in the PUD. The developer has acquired the adjacent land containing the former Homefitters building and the neighboring vacant property currently within the county.
The request includes a zone change for the former Homefitters building property that would allow the building to be a permitted commercial space.
The request also includes the annexation and initial zoning of the county property for 5.43 acres which is an isolated island between the Homefitters building and the Eagle Valley Ranch development.
The growth policy map amendment would change the property from suburban residential to urban mixed use, allowing for neighborhood commercial uses.
“The goal of the change is similar to that of the original PUD which is to provide a diverse neighborhood close to existing services and commercial development on the north side of Kalispell and allows for the inclusion of properties that are currently segregated from the development,” said Jarod Nygren, city Development Services Director.
COUNCIL IS also poised to approve a change order request for the Parkline Trail regarding about $250,000. The funds had been set to come from the West Side Tax Increment Financing debt service fund, but it has been determined that there will not be adequate money in that account to make the transfer.
City staff is recommending instead using the Community Development Miscellaneous special revenue fund to cover the expense.
ALSO ON the agenda, Council is set to approve the FY23 preliminary budget and set a public hearing for July 5 on the budget. Then, on Aug. 15, City Council is set to adopt the final budget.
Related to that, Council will consider a salary adjustment for non-union employees with a 3.5% base adjustment
As part of the budget process, Council reviews the recommendation to adjust the wages of employees not represented by one of the three collective bargaining units in an effort to maintain consistency between employees.
“Our pay system was developed to be an objective process that prevents falling behind in the market, and conversely, prevents outpacing the market,” City Manager Doug Russell said.
For more information, visit the city’s website at https://www.kalispell.com/.
Features Editor Heidi Desch may be reached at 758-4421 or [email protected].
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