Kalispell City Council on Monday adopted a zoning text amendment meant to give homebuilders more flexibility to maximize space on lots that have grown smaller and more expensive.  

The amendment allows structural eaves to extend up to two feet into setback areas in residential zones. 

A setback area is the horizontal distance required between a structure and a lot line. The city has traditionally required a five-foot setback area, but the amendment would shorten that gap. 

Allowing eaves into setbacks creates an additional 80 to 140 square feet of useable interior space, said Peter Hagen, a land acquisition manager with Oregon-based developer Hayden Homes.  

“That may be a home office, an extra bedroom, or just more space for a growing family within the same lot footprint,” Hagen said. 

Hayden Homes submitted a petition for the amendment. The developer is planning to build a mix of 47 new single-family homes and townhomes in the Aspen Creek community south of Three Mile Drive off Camp Cook Avenue.  

Mark Freidline, executive officer of the Flathead Building Association, said the change will help bring down home costs by “allowing us to maximize the amount of space we can build on as the lots get smaller and smaller.”  

Mayor Mark Johnson and Councilor Ryan Hunter supported the zoning change, saying it will allow developers more architectural freedom.  

The move is common for municipalities, according to Jarod Nygren, interim city manager and development services director. The city has received requests for the amendment in the past, he said. 

COUNCIL ALSO adopted police and fire impact fee reports adjusted to the rates imposed over the summer.  

Councilors in July opted to keep impact fees significantly lower than the allowable amount outlined in a 2025 impact fee committee report, saying the low rates spurred development.  

The proposed adjusted fees accounted for the growth and upcoming capital improvements to the Kalispell Fire and Police departments.  

But they remain the same as when they were last adjusted in 2015, except for the removal of a 5% administrative charge to comply with Senate Bill 133, passed during the last legislative session. The fees will also see a price index annual increase, per the law.    

Impact fees are one-time charges on new developments to cover the cost of new infrastructure, like buildings and equipment. The fees shift some of the cost onto the new customers, so the burden isn’t only on existing ones.  

Johnson reiterated his support of keeping rates low, saying that increasing rates would shunt the cost onto renters and homeowners.  

“Developers don’t pay the impact fees, the end consumer pays the impact fee,” Johnson said.  

Hunter was the only opposing vote, arguing the developers should pay the rates determined by the 2025 report.  

“I’ve been talking to a lot of residents recently about this issue,” he said. “I find it’s pretty wide support for having folks pay the impact fees that’s assessed.”  

Lowering or eliminating impact fees is one of several proposed zoning regulations cities can adopt under Senate Bill 382, a bill passed in May 2023 as a means of streamlining housing construction. 

“I find it interesting the state is catching up to us,” Johnson jabbed.   

COUNCILOR SID Daoud at the tail end of the meeting asked the Kalispell Police Department to provide statistics on the number of tickets handed out to downtown motorists on Friday nights, when cruising is at its heaviest.  

“Just so we can kind of track to see if we’re addressing this problem and if not then we can think of other things that Council can do to address it,” Daoud said.  

Police Chief Jordan Venezio was present at the meeting and said he’d be able to dig up the stats.  

The police department beefed up patrols along Main Street in the spring, stationing three to four officers every Friday night on the thoroughfare.  

Downtown residents have complained they have been subject to the roar of unmuffled engines, burnouts and reckless driving for years. Entrepreneurs say the ruckus has driven away business.  

CITY HALL was standing room only at the start of the meeting as friends and family gathered to celebrate the confirmation of nine firefighter/medics to the Kalispell Fire Department.   

Sidney Becker, Jon Hageness, Seager Higgins, Mitch Kline, Jessica Lyle, Jeremy Odio, Vinny Thompson, Ian Whalen and Michael Martinez all completed their one-year probationary period.  

“Trust your brothers and sisters, trust your training, trust your chief, but most importantly, I want you to go home at the end of every shift back to your families,” Johnson said after pinning their badges.  

“As we move ahead with implementing the public safety levy, these members will play a large role in achieving the goals set forth in the levy and delivering great outcomes for our community,” said Fire Chief Jay Hagen.  

Reporter Jack Underhill can be reached at 758-4407 and [email protected].