Planning board OK's child care center expansion

May 13—The Kalispell Planning Board recommended that a proposed child care center at Northridge Lutheran Church go ahead at its meeting Tuesday.

The request for a conditional use permit for the child care center was submitted by Immanuel Lutheran Communities, which already runs Growing Roots, an early learning center for employees' and other children up to six years old. The nonprofit is looking to move and expand its operation to the church property in response to increased demand for early childhood education in the Flathead Valley.

The proposed center would occupy existing church property and facilities, and would only require a few changes to accommodate the new use. Those alterations include fencing around the outdoor play space, a fire suppression system and a section of sidewalk along the frontage of the property.

The recommendation now heads before the City Council for consideration at its June 5 meeting.

THE PLANNING Board approved an annexation and zone change request from the owner of the Mountain Villa Apartments development located at 249 Reserve Place over criticism from nearby residents.

About half a dozen neighbors attended the meeting to voice their concerns with aspects of the proposal. Most said they supported the annexation, which would be necessary before linking the development to the city water and sewer system, but worried about what a zone change would mean for wildlife and property values.

The zone change could allow for the construction of additional apartments on the parcel.

Although no additional development has been proposed, residents said that new apartments could impact their views and access to green space, which speakers alleged had been described to them by real estate agents as protected when they had purchased their properties.

Although a portion of the adjacent land is a county park, most of the area described is private property, according to comments made at the meeting by PJ Sorenson, senior planner with the city of Kalispell.

Commenters also were upset that only a few property owners in the adjacent development were notified about the request. According to Planning Department head Jarrod Nygren, the city chooses whether to notify residents beyond the 150 foot radius required by state law.

The request now goes before the city council and will be on their June 5 agenda.

Reporter Adrian Knowler can be reached at 758-4407 or aknowler@dailyinterlake.com.

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