Kalispell City Council to consider new casino permit

Tonight, Kalispell City Council will consider a conditional use permit to allow the Tree Frog Tavern to house an accessory casino.

The business currently operates as a restaurant and bar, and under its plan, would devote 13 percent of its floor space to the gaming area. Under the city’s zoning ordinance, accessory casinos are limited to 20 percent of the total square footage and must be screened from view of other patrons.

The city’s planning board approved the request earlier this month with six conditions, including the addition of curbs and sidewalks along U.S. 2 and a prohibition on neon lighting and signs to advertise the new casino.

The City Council will also take a final vote on a proposed update to its urban renewal plan for South Kalispell.

While the plan update addresses options for redeveloping the Kalispell City Airport and surrounding land and neighborhoods, it does not make a determination on the municipal airport’s fate.

The South Kalispell Plan amendment passed its initial vote 6-2, with council members Sandy Carlson and Kari Gabriel voting against.

The council will also consider a proposal to de-annex 15,742-square-foot property near the end of Western Montana Street, while a lot of equal size is annexed in exchange.

The two property owners are exchanging land through a boundary line adjustment.

A final plat for the Mountain Vista Estates Subdivision is also up for City Council approval.

The subdivision would create five residential lots as part of a sub-phase for a 19-lot phase including a public road and 2.37-acre common space near Spring Creek.

TONIGHT’S meeting begins at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 201 First Ave. E.

To view the meeting agenda and supporting documents, visit www.kalispell.com/mayor_and_city_council/agenda.php.

Reporter Sam Wilson may be reached at 758-4407 or by email at swilson@dailyinterlake.com.