The Kalispell Planning Commission on Tuesday appeared supportive of flexible guardrails for future development along the Parkline Trail.  

Board members appeared more interested in establishing loose design standards for structures along the trail than in regulating how those structures would be used.  

The commission also reviewed design standards for fourplexes and appeared supportive of proposed amendments to the Eagle Valley Ranch planned unit development that would open part of the neighborhood to more types of commercial development.  

Only three board members attended the Oct. 13 meeting, but a quorum was not needed because the items were up for discussion only. No votes were cast.  

Railroad tracks that once ran through town were replaced by the Parkline Trail in 2022. The linear park and paved path run east and west, with residential, commercial and vacant property surrounding it. Land abutting the trail is already zoned to allow for a wider range of development.  

The B-3 (Core Area Business), designation allows for buildings up to 60 feet in height by right, with no heigh limit under a conditional use permit. It also eliminates minimum lot size, setbacks, maximum lot coverage and cuts minimum parking requirements in half, according to city planning officials. 

While the zoning gives more freedom for developers, board members were tasked with deciding whether standards should be applied to guide development instead.   

Board member Cate Walker supported wide setbacks between buildings and the trail to keep the corridor from feeling enclosed. Although she said she has never used the trail herself, Walker speculated that many users value the sense of being immersed in nature while walking it.  

She also supported providing frequent access points along the trail.  

Board President Rory Young said writing the city’s vision for the Parkline Trail in its growth policy would be more appropriate than imposing design standards.

Young also said he thinks the city’s vision for the trail most closely aligns with the current vibe of where SunRift Beer Company and Mountain Berry Bowls operate. He added that the layout may not be compatible everywhere along the trail, though.  

“I get nervous about dictating standards that need to apply because it’s so diverse,” Young said.  

Board member Brett Huff supported mixed-use development along the trail to support young people looking to move to the area.  

“The zoning right now allows it. The question is whether it is something you want to require,” PJ Sorensen, Kalispell director of development services, responded. 

Huff and Walker agreed that mixed-use buildings should not be required, and that standards should be left flexible.  

Mayor Ryan Hunter originally championed imposing design standards out of fear that the area surrounding the trail would be developed into parking lots and other unappealing structures. City Council discussed the proposal during a June work session but ultimately passed the baton off to the Planning Commission for a first look.  

BOARD MEMBERS appeared more focused on applying design standards to fourplexes in existing neighborhoods than those built in new developments.  

Fourplexes are singular buildings that house four units under one owner. Fourplexes are different than townhomes, which comprise several properties along shared walls. Single-family homes could potentially be converted into an apartment-style fourplex. 

While three or more attached townhomes are allowed in virtually every zone, fourplexes are currently banned in R-1, R-2 and R-3 zones, which have historically been designated for single-family residences.  

But several councilors have supported allowing fourplexes in all residential zones, a measure that could have been adopted under the Montana Land Use Planning Act but was tabled until design standards are established.  

Walker said she was interested in laying down guardrails if fourplexes were allowed in residential zones. She supported apartment-style fourplexes whose architecture looks similar to a single-family home.  

“Something like that doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb like some fourplexes could,” she said. 

Huff expressed concern that fourplexes would strain residential streets already crowded with parked vehicles.  

Under state law, housing units less than 1,200 square feet aren’t legally required to provide parking. The city also decreased its lot sizes to fall in line with state law, opening up more opportunity for fourplexes to be built that won’t have to provide parking, according to Sorensen.  

“It’s one of the reasons why having appropriate design standards would be all the more important to address some of those concerns,” Sorensen said.  

THE COMMISSION also appeared supportive of developer Spartan Holding’s request to allow larger commercial buildings and a broader range of commercial uses within the Eagle Valley Ranch community. 

A proposed zone change would shift roughly 11 acres of the neighborhood from RA-2 (residential development) to B-1 (neighborhood business). The portion of land sits just east of U.S. 93, bisected by Quail Lane.  

The requested planned unit development amendment would increase the maximum size of a restaurant from 4,000 to 12,000 square feet and the maximum size of a retail store from 4,000 to 14,000 square feet.

The developer doesn’t have any specific stores planned for the area, but does not anticipate any large box stores, only uses such as pharmacies or auto parts stores, according to its application.  

"My initial thought is that it seems to be a good transitional change between the highway corridor and the residential property, and allowing some flexibility for services to people who live in that area,” Walker said.  

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.