11/29/79 SP City Council Minutes'5-O S
7
SPECIAL MEETING
City Of Kalispell
Phone 406-755-5457 P.O. Box 1035 Kalispell, Montana 59901
TO THE HONORABLE BOARD OF COUVCILMEN
CITY OF KALISPELL, MONTANA
GENTLEMEN:
There will be a Special Meeting of the City Council, Thursday, November 29th, 1979 at
7:30 P. M. in the Council Chambers at City Hall for the following purposes:
Second Reading of Ordinance #938 (Meridian
Addition Zoning)
Public Hearing on Street Closure
We, the undersigned, being all of the members of the City Council, do hereby waive
notice of the date and purpose of the Special Meeting of the City Council to be held
Thursday, November 29, 1979 at 7:30 P. M. in the Council Chambers at City Hall and
consent io the transaction of the above and any other business that may properly come
before the City Council.
ATTEST:
Forrest W. Daley, Acting Mayy
Mayor Happ absent to attend National League of Cities & Towns Convention in Las Vegas.
Acting Mayor Daley presided. All councilmen were present.
PUBLIC HEARING
STREET CLOSURE - 1st and 3rd Streets from Main to 1st Avenues East and West
Larry Lee, Parking Commission Chairman, stated that they have been doing a parking study
for the past 2 years. The study shows a deficiency of 1200 parking spots in uptown
Kalispell. Two locations are being considered for parking garages. One is from the
City Water office to the KM which would require the closure of 3rd Street from Main to
lst Avenue East. The other location is from the Eagles Club to 1st Avenue West Lounge
which would require the closure of 1st Street from Main to 1st Avenue West. Thomas,
Dean & Hoskins, Engineers are nearly finished with the engineering plans for Main
Street reconstruction and need to know if these areas are going to be closed before
completing the plans.
Mr. Ed Gallagher, Community Development Director, stated that any closure is brought
to the Council and is not done overnight. He introduced Mr. Bruce Litz, planner with.
Taylor, Thon Architects. Mr. Lutz presented a map showing the locations and explained
",_A�
where entrances and exits to the parking garages would be. Suggested plans for the two
blocks uptown would be covered walkways, benches, shrubs, entrances to businesses from
alleys and other beautification ideas.
Dick Birmingham, Chairman of the Central Business Association, discussed other ideas for
uptown Kalispell. such as lighting similar to 1st Avenue East, a business sign ordinance and
a general new face lift for uptown area.
Acting Mayor Daley asked for public input.
Bob Johnson, Post Office employee, asked if consideration has been given to access to the
Post Office if 3rd Street West was closed. Larry Lee replied that a traffic study will be
done by March and there will be a left turn at Center Street and either 4th or 5th Street.
Mr. Dick Maurer, Valley Bank, objected to the closure of 3rd Street from Main to 1st Avenue '
West. Their drive-in facility on lst Avenue West was planned in 1977, constructed in 1978
and finished in 1979. They have always had plans for 4 lanes that would enter from 3rd
Street as soon as the lease is up on the service station on the corner of 3rd and 1st.
The lease has about a year to go. Mr. Maurer stated that he is a member of the xDC and would
recommend a lot more study before we consider 3rd Street closed. Austin Miller, owner of the
office building at Center and main stated that he did not object to beautification, but if
you could observe the traffic problems at this corner, you would not consider closing any
streets. Naming the businesses in this area, there is only one store that could convert
to a mini -mall and this would not warrant any street closure.
Rudy Hoecker asked what had happened to the idea. af'railroad crossings on 1st Avenues East
and West. Tom Herlock stated that he disliked the idea of closing any street. He also asked
if we were sure that we need more parking. It is so expensive to own and operate a car, that
we should talk about public transportation.
Bob Johnson asked how a parking garage would be financed. Larry Lee replied that options on
land must first be obtained. After that they will try for an S.I.D. There is also revenue
from meters and the garage. He added that it is a little premature to say exactly how it
will be financed, but they have been consulting with financial advisors and will have the
answers in the near future.
Councilman O'Boyle stated that TAC and the State Highway Dept. is making a traffic study
which will be completed in 3 to 4 months.
Doug Daniels, T. D. & H. Engineers, was asked if he could design Main Street reconstruction
and leave 1st and 3rd undesigned. Mr. Daniels replied that if he does not complete the
Plan -In -Hand by the deadline, construction could be held up another year. If a decision '
is made now, the Highway Dept. will fund, otherwise the city would have to fund.
Ed Gallagher stated that many changes could be made in the future. The college could move,
more businesses could develop. If the conduit could be buried at the time of reconstruction
it would save expense later. Street closing should only be by land use. Alleys would be
left open for pedestrian traffic and through traffic for safety.
Mr. Lutz said that the State is forcing a decision, but if the people are not ready, back
off so that the reconstruction of Main Street will not be delayed.
Doug Daniels concluded by saying he would like a decision at once so that he will have his
preliminary Plan -In -Hand ready by January loth.
Councilman Smith moved to refer to the Street & Alley and City Development committees and
come back with a recommendation. Seconded by Councilman Zauner. Motion carried.
ORDINANCE #938
Hearing the second reading, Councilman Smith moved to enact Ordinance #938 an ordinance to
zone Meridian Addition as I-1 in accordance with a portion of Chapter 27, Title 11 of the
Montana Code of 1947, Sec. 11-2703 wherein the legislature provided 12 steps a City Council
must follow in its regulation of land.
Ken O'Brien, a resident of Meridian Addition, presented a final plea to the council to zone
the area residential. He said he realized the fears and concerns of the business people in
the area, knit that the residents are all human beings and asked the council to take this
into consideration. He stated also that he had checked the taxes in the area and the
businesses pay $6,000 per year and the residents pay $16,000. '
Question called. Roll call vote. Councilmen Ruiz, Zauner, and O'Boyle voted aye.
Councilmen Saverud, Granmo and Grainger voted nay. Acting Mayor Daley broke the tie with
an aye vote. Meridian Addition zoned I-1.
Councilman Saverud moved to adjourn. Seconded by Councilman Smith. Motion carried.
Minutes of the meeting approved as presented December 1 1979•
nrr*rcam. Forrest W. Daley, Acting I�a3, r