Permit fee, final parking plan vote ahead for Kalispell City Council

The price of parking in the new Westside Neighborhood Parking Management Zone could be $10.

The Kalispell City Council will set the permit fee tonight for the parking district, a controversial measure that was passed on July 20.

The $10 permit can be purchased by anyone, but it’s geared toward students and school staffers who want to snag a spot in the 15-block restricted area east of the school.

Revenue from the permits is intended to cover the cost of sign installation over future years. The city will pay about $20,000 to install signs.

Also at tonight’s meeting, the council will hold a second reading of the ordinance to finalize the parking plan. The first reading in July passed on a 5-2 vote.

The third item on tap for the meeting is the second reading of an ordinance that permits a zone change near Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

The change would be from a high-density residential zone to one for hospital use. KRMC intends to expand a parking lot into a portion of the 9.5-acre area.

The plan received criticism from Grandview Drive-area residents, many of whom were unhappy with the potential traffic development would bring to the residential neighborhood.

The first reading of the zone-change ordinance passed on a 7-1 vote on July 20. A resolution affirming a growth policy amendment for the project also passed at that meeting.

The Kalispell City Council will meet at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 201 First St. E.

Reporter Matt Hudson may be reached at 758-4459 or by email at mhudson@dailyinterlake.com.