The Kalispell Planning Board will review potential changes to the city’s laws involving casinos.
The board will meet at 6 p.m., July 14 in City Hall.
The request for a new casino on the north end of town in April sparked a substantial amount of public input, and city staff have reviewed possible options for restricting casinos in specific locations.
The possible scenarios being reviewed include limiting casinos to B-5 zoning or I-1 and 1-2 zoning locations; allowing casino machines only as a minor accessory use; prohibiting casinos north of Idaho Street; increasing the setbacks from casinos to 600 feet; establishing a casino overlay district; or any combination of the above.
At a previous work session, planning board members requested more detail of what a casino overlay district might look like within the city boundaries, similar to Whitefish. The scenarios and maps are posted online at kalispell.com.
According to state data, there are 29 casinos within the city limits. The addition of the Town Pump Casino on the north end will raise the total to 30. Casinos are limited to 20 machines and the business must be tied to a state-issued liquor license.
Residents expressed concern over more casinos in the city during April’s debate.