Page 13 - Flathead Beacon // 4.15.15

FLATHEADBEACON.COM NEWS APRIL 15, 2015 | 13
Kalispell Council Approves
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that allowed the development, rebuffing previous statements made in public that Kalispell prohibited casinos north of U.S. Highway 2, which is untrue.
“An unwritten rule is not a rule. We have policy and that policy is black and white,” Guiffrida said, adding, “If we want to have a philosophical discussion about this at a different time, I’m open to that. But I’m not going to show ill will to an applicant that is following the rules.”
Kluesner said the city has a respon- sibility to follow the policies that are in place instead of “changing the goal posts when the kick is already in the air.”
Others disagreed, including Atkin- son and Saverud, who said it was proper for the council to make decisions based on the community’s values.
“We as a community have core val- ues,” said Atkinson, adding, “We have to take a stand for something.”
City Attorney Charlie Harball urged councilors to be careful with how they based their decision, warning them that it could be deemed discriminatory if their decision was simply based on the merits of this gambling establishment while other casinos were approved in the past. Instead, Harball recommended if the council wanted to review prohib- iting casinos it should consider estab- lishing an overlay or regulated area that would designate where gambling could occur, similar to Whitefish.
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Lengthy discussion centers on the merits of allowing another gambling establishment in town
By DILLON TABISH of the Beacon
After a lengthy discussion that cen- tered on the merits of allowing another gambling establishment in a new section of town, the Kalispell City Council nar- rowly approved a conditional use permit for Eureka Town Pump, Inc. to open a gas station and convenience store with an attached casino on West Reserve Drive.
The council voted 5-4 on April 6 to give final approval for a casino at the 4.14-acre site, which was also annexed into city limits. Councilors Phil Guif- frida, Chad Graham, Sandy Carlson, Tim Kluesner and Mayor Mark Johnson voted in favor while councilors Wayne Saverud, Rod Kuntz, Jim Atkinson and Kari Gabriel were opposed.
Over two hours of discussion was devoted to the proposal, which sought to develop a convenience store in the former church building and create a 7,900-square-foot casino attachment, along with fueling stations and park- ing. The council approved annexation of the site, meaning it will be hooked up to Kalispell’s sewer and water services. De- velopers said the business would work with engineers to stabilize the nearby
embankment, which has a history of sloughing into the Stillwater River.
The casino will be the first in the bustling north end of town, which has grown into a busy commercial district with surrounding residences and Gla- cier High School.
Several letters of opposition were submitted to the city and over a dozen members of the public turned out to City Hall to voice their disapproval of the casino, citing concerns over increased gambling and its societal harm.
“I believe in personal responsibil- ity, but I also believe that if there is less temptation fewer people will suc- cumb to it,” said Jenny La Sorte, not- ing the over 35 casinos already operat- ing in Kalispell.
Mayre Flowers, executive director of Citizens for a Better Flathead, echoed others’ concerns that the development of a casino would harm the charac- ter and value of nearby neighborhoods and businesses.
“If this is granted, it would change the character of development in this cor- ridor,” Flowers said.
The council approved the condition- al use permit based on a list of nine re- quirements for the business, including a rule that states it cannot display signage directly advertising the casino or any elements of gambling, beyond the busi- ness’s name, “Lucky Lil’s.”
Councilors in support of the propos- al said the city had regulations in place
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Municipal Matters
A recap of recent city council and county commission meetings
KALISPELL
• Last week the city council approved a final plat request for a 16.35-acre subdivision. Bloomstone Phase 1-A plans to develop 25 single family homes and one multi-family facility west of Kidsports Complex.
• The council set a public hearing re- garding the Spring Prairie Develop- ment near Kidsports Complex. De- velopers are seeking approval for 14 commercial building pads on a 28- acre site. The public hearing is set for April 20.
• Crews resumed work on the paving project between Center Street and Fourth Street on First Avenue West, and between Center Street and Fifth Street on First Avenue East. Traffic on First Avenue West and First Ave- nue East will be limited to one direc-
tion of travel between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. The project is expected to last two weeks.
WHITEFISH
• Ballots have been mailed to residents for the proposed resort tax increase. The ballots are due back by 8 p.m., April 28. They can be returned to the Election Department at the Flathead County Courthouse in Kalispell or Whitefish City Hall. Voters will de- cide whether to increase the city’s resort tax from 2 to 3 percent to raise funds for the conservation easement in Haskill Basin to protect the water supply.
• Vendors on Whitefish Lake could be required to acquire a commercial permit this summer. The city coun- cil last week directed staff to craft
regulations to review at a future meeting.
• The council unanimously approved the reconstruction of West Seventh Street. Preliminary designs call for adding sidewalks and a bicycle path.
• Councilors approved a preliminary plat for a small subdivision on Kar- row Avenue. The decision allows for development of four lots on 1.9 acres.
COLUMBIA FALLS
• At last week’s meeting, the city coun- cil unanimously approved signing a letter expressing its support for plac- ing the Columbia Falls Aluminum Company smelter site on the Super- fund’s National Priorities List for cleanup. The letter was sent to the Environmental Protection Agency.
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