Developer tweaks plan for 36-unit apartment complex off Meadow Lake Boulevard

A developer has tweaked plans for a proposed apartment complex off Meadow Lake Boulevard and it will go before the Columbia Falls City-County planning board July 13.

Whitefish developer Toby Gilchrist is still proposing building a 36-unit, two building apartment complex near the intersection of the Truck Route and Meadow Lake Boulevard.

It would be located on a 2.25 acre lot.

Previously, several neighbors objected to the development, with worries about traffic and changes to the character of the neighborhood, as the development would be surrounded by single-family homes in a wooded setting.

Gilchrist, in the new application, has included a wood fence around the perimeter as well as design changes to have more buffering in the landscape to shield it from neighbors.

The apartment buildings would have two studio units, two one-bedroom units, eight two-bedroom units and six, three bedroom units.

Gilchrist has also made some traffic changes to the development, including how it will approach Meadow Lake Boulevard. Initially a four-way stop was proposed, but the county and the city both saw problems with traffic flow in the area. Instead, Gilchrist will work with the county on building the proper road approach.

The development would have city sewer and water. Gilchrist also had a traffic study done, which shows 239 vehicle trips per day and a traffic load increase of 5% to 10% on Meadow Lake Boulevard. It would also have about 11 school-aged children living there, according to projections.
It would be located south of the Garnier Heights subdivision, which was just approved to the north.

The complex will require a zone change from single family residential (CR-5) to multifamily residential (CR-1A) and a conditional use permit for the development.

A public hearing on the development is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at city council chambers.