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KALISPELL 90°F 32°C CLEAR SKY NMAR Supports Core Area Plan The Core Area plan restores the heart and soul of Kalispell back to its downtown BY ERICA WIRTALA JUN 5, 2016 LETTER, OPINION Like the reality TV shows that stream into our homes daily, the City of Kalispell is hard at work on its own “makeover” project for Kalispell’s Core Area. As realtors in the Flathead Valley, we could not be more excited to welcome this fresh look and the positive economic impact it will bring to our community. As with any large project, the Core and Rail Redevelopment has many moving parts and stakeholders. There are numerous timelines, deadlines and milestones to be completed before the grand unveiling. We are patiently watching as the pieces fall into place. There are several important things to know about the Core and Rail Redevelopment: The City of Kalispell is not purchasing properties adjoining the trail. Instead, the city’s role is to encourage landowners to develop and to assist those landowners with the regulatory processes. There are several vacant parcels within the Core Area; many simply need a facelift. Landowners may buy and sell properties within the Core Area, utilizing their own realtors. To attract additional development to the area, the City of Kalispell recently incorporated a zoning district specific to the boundaries of the Core Area. With this new “B3 Core Area” zoning, the city has relaxed some of height limits, minimum lot sizes, setbacks and parking requirements. Kalispell’s former zoning model was loosely based on separating commercial Summer Preview 2016 VIEW STORIES EDITOR'S PICK ---PAGE BREAK--- development from the residential areas. Prior building height limitations, parking requirements and setbacks all posed challenges to creating an urban center. By adopting the B3 Core Zone, landowners and developers are empowered to be more creative with the spaces that they own, giving them more “permitted use” options as opposed to “conditional uses.” This new zone encourages a “mixeduse” approach to the Core Area, combining denser, multifamily housing, retail, office and light industrial use while prohibiting heavy industrial use. For the urban core of Kalispell, it is an innovative approach to development. The Core Area Plan is a newer “mixeduse” concept similar to those used in vibrant urban centers. A mixeduse zone incorporates a residential component to an area previously devoted only to commercial enterprise. Why does this matter? Whether it’s lofts, duplexes, multifamily townhouses, accessory apartments or traditional apartments, people are increasingly looking to live right where they work, shop and socialize. Many prefer to walk, bike or take public transportation to their favorite coffee stations, brew pubs, restaurants and boutiques. The Core Area project will provide this lifestyle in Flathead Valley’s commercial center, Kalispell. Developerfriendly zoning ordinance is already in place and the new Core Area plan is moving forward rapidly. Within the TIGER grant, there is money to remove the railroad track and replace it with a bike and pedestrian trail. Together, the effect of these changes on neighboring properties will be tremendous. Realtors anticipate that property values will increase exponentially as business and residential buyers seek out the highly desirable Core Area. MASTHEAD NEWSROOM EMAIL [EMAIL REDACTED] PHONE [PHONE REDACTED] TWITTER @flatheadbeacon Follow KELLYN BROWN EDITOR IN CHIEF EMAIL [EMAIL REDACTED] TWITTER Follow TRISTAN SCOTT SENIOR WRITER EMAIL [EMAIL REDACTED] TWITTER @tristanscott Follow MOLLY PRIDDY STAFF WRITER EMAIL [EMAIL REDACTED] TWITTER Follow DILLON TABISH STAFF WRITER EMAIL [EMAIL REDACTED] TWITTER @djtabish Follow JUSTIN FRANZ STAFF WRITER EMAIL [EMAIL REDACTED] TWITTER @jfranz88 Follow ---PAGE BREAK--- NEWS & FEATURES SPORTS OUTDOORS ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT OPINION PHOTOS EVENTS ABOUT US MARKETPLACE Advertise Subscribe Advertiser Tear Sheets Email & RSS Feeds Contact Us © 2016 Flathead Beacon, All Rights Reserved. Use of this site is subject to the Flathead Beacon's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Flathead Beacon The Core Area plan restores the heart and soul of Kalispell back to its downtown. The Northwest Montana Association of Realtors believes this the start of a wonderful resurgence and stands wholeheartedly behind the Core Area Plan. Erica Wirtala, public affairs director Northwest Montana Association of Realtor SHOW COMMENTS MORE FROM THE BEACON Blackfeet on Brink of Constitutional Reform Highway Fatalities at High Levels Entering Summer Vietnam Veterans Honored HalfCentury After Conflict Began GREG MEDIA DIRECTOR EMAIL [EMAIL REDACTED] TWITTER @gl_photo Follow 17 Main Street • Kalispell • Montana • 59901 • USA • (406) 2579220 •