Kalispell City Council to amend alcohol addendum

At its meeting today the Kalispell City Council plans to amend legislation surrounding the sale of alcohol by nonprofit organizations on city property.

The council has worked for years to balance permitting nonprofits to sell alcohol with concerns of having events involving alcohol on city property.

In 2013, the city agreed to make a special exception for the Flathead Valley Hockey Association by bypassing a municipal code that prevented the city manager from issuing permits for events with alcohol sales or consumption in city parks.

In November 2016, the association was given permission to sell alcohol for its annual fundraiser in Woodland Park on specific dates set by the council. Now, the council has agreed to amend those dates to allow the hockey association to move the time of its fundraiser.

During a work session held on Jan. 23, the council also decided to separate the alcohol addendum from the city’s parade and special-use permit.

A debate continues among the staff as to whether for-profit organizations should be included in the extension of permits to serve alcohol.

In other business, the council will vote on whether to approve the Silverbrook Estate developer’s request to amend the development plan to allow for the construction of taller buildings.

The request asks the city to change a condition in the development plan for the subdivision north of Kalispell, from setting the maximum gross square feet of the building to setting the maximum footprint, allowing two-story buildings within the same building footprint of 25,000 square feet. A public meeting on Feb. 6 produced no negative feedback on the proposed amendment.

The council will also offer time for the public to comment on Immanuel Lutheran Corporation’s request for the city to administer a $75 million bond to the nonprofit that offers residential and assisted living facilities. Immanuel Lutheran plans to use the bonds to refinance its debt and obtain more bonding for its ongoing development projects.

The council meeting is today at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 201 First Ave. E., Kalispell.

For more information and to view the full agenda, visit http://www.kalispell.com/mayor_and_city_council.

Reporter Mary Cloud Taylor can be reached at 758-4459 or mtaylor@dailyinterlake.com.