City officials are reviewing a request to build a six-unit attached townhome near Northridge Heights in Kalispell.  

Resident Jon Shaw submitted the request in late August for a conditional use permit to build the townhome on his .7-acre property at 117 Northwest Lane. 

Each unit will consist of three bedrooms, two-and-a-half bathrooms and an attached garage. The entire building would take up roughly 5,040 square feet and stand at just under 30 feet tall, according to project site plans.  

A landscaped open yard will sit on the east side of the property.  

Each dwelling will receive a driveway for off-street parking connecting to a private drive that will feed into Northwest Lane.  

The development is not expected to have a substantial effect on traffic in the area. The anticipated daily vehicle trips generated would fall well under the threshold triggering a traffic impact study, according to the permit application.  

The property is zoned R-3 (residential), which requires a permit to build townhomes with three or more attached units. 

The permit application will undergo a fully administrative review since Council shifted subdivision approvals from elected officials to city staff to fall in line with the Montana Land Use Planning Act.  

Passed in 2023, the state law was designed to streamline housing construction by requiring larger Montana cities to rework their land use plans, end the Planning Commission and Council review process, and institute a slew of zoning reforms to allow a wider range of housing types. 

The Development Services Department issued an initial determination finding that the project substantially complies with applicable zoning regulations and the city's zoning map.  

Residents have until 5 p.m., Oct. 2 to provide input by emailing their comments or mailing them directly to the Development Services Department.  

Once the comment period closes, planning staff will issue a final determination. Individuals who disagree with the decision can appeal it.  

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.