Light district could be expanded

The Kalispell City Council will hold a public hearing tonight on a proposed expansion of the city’s Light Maintenance District.

The city’s light maintenance assessments have previously been applied to properties that are within 300 feet of a street light maintained by the city. 

The proposal involves expanding the district to include all properties within city limits, under the premise that all property owners benefit from street lighting in the city. If passed, the proposal is expected to spread out the costs of maintaining and operating the city street lighting system.

Also on tonight’s agenda, the council will consider a request for a conditional use permit from the Montana Academy to use an existing single-family residence to be a group home for eight or fewer students ranging from ages 16 to 19.

The property is located at 1045 Third Ave. E. on the northeast corner of Third Avenue East and 11th Street East.

The council will consider a conditional use permit for the construction and operation of a multiple-building residential care facility for seniors at 242 Stillwater Road. The permit would allow for two 19-bed care homes, two 16-bed assisted living homes and four two-unit independent living homes. The permit is being requested by Beehive Homes of Kalispell.

The council will consider a request from the Hockaday Museum of Art for a permit allowing the sale and consumption of alcohol at its 46th annual Arts in the Park festival in Depot Park from July 18 to July 20.

And the coil will consider adopting a collective bargaining agreement that was negotiated between city officials and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees local union.

The council meets at 7 p.m. in City Hall on First Avenue East.