04. Alley Closure Request by Glacier Bank (Withdrawn)nu tm re»:�.i 11110 i
June 16,1999
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To: Chris Kukulski, City Manager
From: Jim Hansz, Director of Public W k
Subject: Follow-up, Closure of First Alley West Requested by Glacier Bank
At the time of the request all affected property owners concurred with the request. Since
then and subsequent to the advertisement of Public Hearing, business circumstances have
changed for one of the owners such that closure would now pose a hardship on the business. As a
result of this the applicant has withdrawn the request to close the alley behind Glacier Bank and
Northwest Montana Human Resources in favor of an alternative that does not involve closure.
The applicant requests that the City make the alley behind Glacier Bank and Northwest
Montana Human Resources one-way southbound from Second Street West to the Valley Bank
drive -through entry. Other alleys in the CBD are presently one-way south so this would be
consistent with existing conditions elsewhere. An alley stop sign also is requested at the rear exit
of the bank to halt vehicles when pedestrians use the exit. The remainder of the alley should
remain unchanged to permit access to the existing leased lot and drive -through from Third Street
West. This change will greatly mitigate the pedestrian hazard by eliminating two-way traffic
behind two very busy buildings. It also permits unimpeded access to the City trash containers
and does not affect access for utility maintenance.
Glacier continues to request City permission to install a new fagade on the rear of the
building as shown in the original request. They also ask permission to install a movable 36 inch
diameter planter against the wall on each side of the rear access door. Vehicle access through the
alley would not be significantly restricted by the planters or the fagade improvements.
Staff has no objection to this proposal.
Post Office Box 1997 • Kalispell, Montana 59903-1997
Telephone (406) 758-7700 • FAX (406) 758-7758
,NAP
REPORT TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Jim Hansz, Director of Public Works
SUBJECT: Glacier Bank Alley Closure Request
MEETING DATE: June 21, 1999
BACKGROUND: Glacier Bank has asked for City assistance to remedy a pedestrian safety
problem at the rear entrance to the branch on Main Street. In addition, the bank has asked for
consideration of a related request to close a portion of the alley to through traffic so that the bank
can improve the general appearance of the rear entry to their building. In support of their request,
the bank has forwarded the concerns of a bank customer after the latest close -call incident
involving small children that occurred when leaving the bank's rear entrance. They have also
provided sketches of their proposed improvements. These items are attached for reference.
At the present time, traffic moves two-way through the alley behind the bank. Sight
distance is very poor to see vehicles coming from the south and somewhat impaired for vehicles
entering the alley from Second Street to the north. The bank asks that the City close the alley
directly behind the bank and the Northwest Montana Human Resources buildings, about one
hundred feet, to remedy the safety hazard. Doing this will also provide the capability for the
bank to place moveable planters and decorative paving bricks across the alley from the rear entry
to the bank parking lot. The bank would also like to add a decorative fagade to the building so
the appearance more closely resembles the Main Street front of the building. The Bank has
obtained concurrence of adjoining properties for this proposal.
In summary, the bank is not requesting abandonment of the alley; it is asking for closure
of about one-half of the alley to remedy a pedestrian safety hazard, and is seeking permission to
place, at its expense, beautification improvements in the alley. This would be done with the
understanding that the improvements may be moved or removed if required for maintenance of
City owned or other public utility facilities.
Post Office Box 1997 • Kalispell, Montana 59903-1997
Telephone (406) 758-7700 • FAX (406) 758-7758
In response to this request, staff investigated the site and solicited the comments of other
utilities, the Chiefs of Police and Fire departments, and the Solid Waste Division.
The Police Chief indicated no concerns.
The Fire Chief indicated a concern to maintain fire access. Staff believes that placing
movable planters in the alley will ensure accessibility for fire fighting.
City utility maintenance would not be obstructed by the proposed improvements or
restricted access.
Other utilities have indicated a need to maintain maintenance access from the alley area
for large equipment. Staff believes movable planter boxes address this concern.
The bank is not asking for abandonment of the alley. Therefore, right of access to
maintain any and all utilities is not in question.
The alley is presently used for parcel and document deliveries. Staff believes this
concern is valid and can be addressed by creation of a temporary loading zone space on Second
Street at the alley entrance. Unimpaired delivery access will continue to be available from Third
Street.
Access to and exit from other existing parking lots and buildings within the block will not
be impaired by this change.
Solid Waste collection can continue unimpaired. The existing City containers can be
accessed via First Avenue East through the Valley Bank parking lot with a straight exit down the
alley to Third Street East. This may require consent from Valley Bank for the City trucks to
access off First Avenue East across their property. Once this is obtained, then there is no
problem with Solid Waste collection. There is no privately operated solid waste collection
service in this block. As an alternative, the existing City service can be replaced by private
service. This is common in the central business district.
RECOMMENDATION: The request will abate the alley pedestrian safety hazard. Concerns
raised by other utilities and City Departments appear to be adequately addressed and mitigated.
The proposal for improvement of the alley and the bank building appears consistent with the
present community interest in enhancing the appearance and pedestrian accessibility of
downtown business areas. Staff recommends favorable consideration of this request to close
approximately one hundred feet of the alley and recommends granting consent to Glacier Bank to
place the described improvements in the alley, subject to their removal or relocation as may be
necessary for maintenance and emergency access purposes.
FISCAL EFFECTS: None are identified.
ALTERNATIVES: As suggested by the City Council
Respectfully su
James C. Hansz, .E. Chris A. Kukulski
Director of Public orks / City Engineer City Manager
Report compiled June 4, 1999
Attachments: Letter from Glacier Bank customer
Sketches of proposed improvements
February 26, 1999
Glacier Bank
202 Main Street
Kalispell, MT 59901
To: Steve Van Helden
I want to tell you what almost happened to my two small
sons. We visited your bank using the back door. When we exited I
held the door open for my boys, they moved ahead of me and before
I could see the car they were already almost out in front of it.
Had they not froze in their tracks when I yelled, my two precious
little boys would have been killed in front of my eyes by this
car. The alley road is absolutely to close- to the door. Please
address this problem and correct it as soon as possible.
Certainly somebody will be killed in that very spot. I thank God
my boys are okey and it was only a close call. Surely something
can be done here.
Sincerely
s. Sheila Wininger
Caleb & James Wininger
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