The Kalispell Planning Commission on Tuesday backed Habitat for Humanity of Flathead Valley’s proposed mixed-income neighborhood in North Kalispell.  

The decision came after the commission heard from nearby residents concerned over the increased traffic that could descend on connecting roads. The body also heard support from builders involved in the project and affordable housing advocates.  

Habitat Flathead is looking for annexation, initial zoning of R-3 (residential) and planned unit development approval to build 95 residential units consisting of detached single-family homes, cottages and townhomes. The 21.32-acre property is located northwest of Northland Drive, east of the U.S. 93 Bypass and south of Four Mile Drive. 

Under new city policy adopted to comply with the Montana Land Use Planning Act, the Planning Commission could not review the project’s preliminary plat. Instead, it will be reviewed and approved administratively. 

While Habitat Flathead owns the site, just 32 of the cottage-style houses will be built by the nonprofit. The rest are being put up by Iron Star Construction, Westcraft Homes and Kalispell Student Built Homes.  

Kalispell Student Built Homes is looking to move the program into the development as it runs out of space to build homes in a community just south of that location, according to Jeff Wilson, a real estate broker representing the program.  

“We have a very deep interest in hoping this goes through because this would be a really good project for our program to get into,” Wilson said.  

The program gives high school students the opportunity to get hands-on experience by building a home from the ground up. Class sizes range from 25 to 40 kids each year.  

Known as the Birchwood, the development will be covenant restricted to long-term ownership only and managed by a homeowner’s association. Home prices ranging from $350,000 to $800,000 are intended to serve a variety of incomes, according to Habitat Flathead Executive Director MaryBeth Morand.  

“Habitat Flathead has worked out a way for our private sector partners to afford to build by affordably selling them lots on a property that we bought at a discount,” Morand said. 

By partnering with private builders, Habitat Flathead can help meet Kalispell’s housing demand more effectively than it could on its own, Morand said. The nonprofit builds about 20 houses a year through volunteer labor and sweat equity.  

Habitat Flathead is seeking several deviations from city subdivision and zoning code, including allowing for smaller lots sizes, alleyways serving as the primary access to homes, and restricting road access to the development’s southern edge.   

Nearby residents worried that providing just two access points on Northridge Way and Northridge Drive will prove problematic. The development is projected to generate 1,014 daily trips at full build out.  

If development occurs on the property just north, a connection to Four Mile Drive will be warranted, according to city planning staff. Morand said she’s asked the landowner whether it was possible to install an access road beforehand but has had no luck.  

NO RESIDENTS weighed in on a pair of proposals from Montana-based affordable housing developer Mach Development, one of which includes building a low-income apartment building on Kalispell’s east side.  

The developer is also looking to acquire and rehabilitate an existing federally assisted senior housing community.  

Reporter Jack Underhill can be reached at 406-758-4407 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.