KALISPELL
Kalispell City Council meets tonight for a regular meeting at 7 p.m. The top issue council will consider is a cash-in-lieu of parking fee for downtown. Because parking spaces in downtown Kalispell are so scarce, builders there are obligated to provide a new parking space for every 400 square feet constructed. The council’s vote tonight would allow builders to pay $8,200 for every space they don’t – or are unable – to build.
Council will also consider approving a change to the City Hall remodeling project in the old Wells Fargo building that would add a mezzanine, and 1,600 square feet, at a cost not to exceed $80,000. The Parks and Recreation fees will be set for the next year, and the city’s Wastewater Treatment Plant is to be presented with a regional award for outstanding and innovative achievements.
Other votes include postponing and rejecting bids for a new ambulance and fire truck due to some irregularities, and consideration of a growth policy amendment, rezoning about 116 acres from industrial to residential designation. The land lies north of Foys Lake Road, west of South Meridian Road.
WHITEFISH
At tonight’s 7:10 p.m. Whitefish City Council meeting, Jan Metzmaker will be sworn in as the sixth councilor, replacing Cris Coughlin who took over as mayor after Andy Feury resigned. Metzmaker is a former councilor and executive director of Whitefish Convention and Visitor Bureau.
Also to be discussed:
-Request for preliminary plat for Hanson Town Homes
-Amending zoning stipulation that requires conditional use permits for buildings with footprints of 4,000 square feet or more – adding “bar/tavern” to list of conditionally permitted uses
-Amending regulations for encroachments permitted within setbacks
-Recommendation to approve the Elden boundary line adjustment
-Request for a minor preliminary plat for O’Brien View Subdivision
-Recommendation to approve garage door artwork at Stumptown Ice Den
-Reconsideration of petition for a no-wake zone on Whitefish River
-Furthering community and regional interests between cities of Whitefish and Fernie, Canada
-Eight letters and emails from residents and organizations