City councilors are reviewing a possible expanded parking district near Flathead High School.
At the behest of residential homeowners spearheading the changes, city staff expanded the initial proposal from a five-block area to a 15-block district, from Third Street West to 10th Street West and Sixth Avenue West to Second Avenue West. Another possible change would allow students and teachers to purchase permits to park within the designated district. The city would offer 100 student permits and 104 residential permits.
The proposal, which has been debated among school administrators, residents and city planners for years, seeks to establish a boundary that would regulate parking in an area some say is heavily congested because of Flathead High School and Elrod Elementary. The restrictions would be in effect from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, on days when school is in session.
Under the original plan, the city could restrict parking to residents and homeowners through a permitting system that would be enforced by city police officers. After receiving input from the schools as well as the residents spearheading the proposal, city planners have recommended beginning with a scaled-down version of the parking district.
Kalispell School District would create 35-38 parking spots at Elrod and 20-25 spots at Flathead. If the district adds the new spaces in 2015, the city would implement resident-only restrictions on Third Avenue West, Fourth Avenue West, south of Fifth Street West and north of Ninth Street West within in the boundaries of the parking district.
Council reviewed the latest proposal at a work session and will discuss the matter at an upcoming meeting.