The Polson City Commission gave a green light to a preliminary plat for a 19-acre subdivision by Immanuel Living at Mission Bay during its meeting Nov. 20.

Commissioners had rejected Immanuel Lutheran’s previous proposal, due to concerns that the development planned to use private roads but had not gained permission from Mission Bay homeowners associations to do so.

This time around, the proposed subdivision’s five lots would be accessed entirely from Hawk Road, via an internal roadway.   

Three representatives of Immanuel Lutheran Communities were on hand for the meeting, including CEO and president Jason Cronk and Dave Jolly, director of facilities and operations. The organization, based in Kalispell, specializes in developments for people 55 and older. Their plan for Polson is expected to include single-family, two family and multi-family structures for independent and assisted senior living, as well as community residential facilities.

“We’re excited about building a new retirement option for older adults in Polson,” Cronk told commissioners. He explained that Immanuel Lutheran is a faith-based nonprofit that currently houses 300 residents in Kalispell “all on one campus” and is currently involved in constructing 40 new apartments there.

Several Mission Bay residents were on hand for the meeting, and expressed concerns about increased traffic and congestion in their community. 

Lynn Sinclair asked if a needs assessment had been prepared by Immanuel Lutheran, and if so, wondered if the document could be shared with the community. She also wondered if the city had consulted with Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes about archeological values, since the area had once been “utilized by the Tribes.” She also wondered if the Tribes had been consulted about wetland management for the area.

Jamie Seguino, president of Mission Bay Preserve Home Owners Association, expressed concerns about the potential traffic increase on Hawk Dr. and – if the property is developed “piecemeal” – whether that could impact the level at which a traffic study would be triggered.   

According to the planning document prepared by city planner Rob Edington, a trip generation report from Immanuel Lutheran predicts that at full build out, the subdivision could generate 963 daily vehicle trips.

According to Edington, the Polson Development Code stipulates that 1,000 trips per day triggers a traffic study.

“We want to be a good neighbor so if that means we need to do a traffic study to make it safe for everyone that’s probably the way we’ll go,” Cronk said. “But right now, we’re just asking for a subdivision.”

The commission unanimously voted to approve the preliminary plat, which allows Immanuel Lutheran to begin constructing infrastructure. Final plans for the development would also require approval from the city commission.

In other business:

Polson Police Chief George Simpson introduced newly minted police captain Mathieu Gfroerer, who has served with the police department for eight years, and spent seven years with the Lake County Sheriff’s Department. He’s also an Army combat veteran.

Simpson introduced Gfroerer as a “forward-thinking beacon of dedication and exemplary service within our department.”

The commission also unanimously approved three new members to the Polson Police Commission: computer consultant Brady Phenicie, who will serve from Jan. 1-April 30, 2024, and is expected to apply again; former patrol officer and detective Michelle Lee (Jan. 1, 2024-April 30, 2025) and Tribal Councilwoman Jennifer Finley (Jan. 1, 2024-April 30, 2026).

According to City Manager Ed Meece, the reconfiguration of the commission was precipitated when he discovered that the commission “has never been appointed correctly,” according to state law.  

“To get in compliance, we needed to advertise, then take recommendation to commission,” he said. He received four applications, including one from incumbent Mark McDonald, and from those four recommended three to the commissioners to serve staggered three-year terms.

The Police Commission’s role is to consider Police Department applicants, and make recommendations to the city manager, as well as serving as an appeals board for officers in disciplinary matters. 

Meece said his goal in reconfiguring the commission was “to do a better job of reflecting our entire community.” The city commission unanimously endorsed his selection.

The commission also authorized the city manager to finalize the scope of a traffic study on a proposed connector route between Hillcrest and Ridgewater Development with DJ and A Engineering.

Commissioners also heard from Parks and Recreation Director Pat Nowlen, who outlined maintenance standards for the city’s parks and reviewed undeveloped park properties.

Tony Isbell, who is finished his term as a commissioner in December, expressed frustration at the city’s lack of progress on affordable housing, streamlining building codes and reducing impact fees, especially on smaller projects.

“A big reason I didn’t run again was I didn’t accomplish the things I wanted to accomplish,” he said. “And the biggest topic I circled was workforce housing.”

As an employer, he said “the vast majority of our workforce is housed by us, by my company. These guys are making very livable wages but can’t afford to live in the city of Polson right now.”  

“I think it’s going to get worse,” he added. “Costs are going up and up and the gap between low income and people coming in and paying cash for properties is creating a bigger gap in the middle – and the middle is what makes this town go around.”