Parking lot not right for Kalispell Ave.

On Thursday, Sept. 17 the Whitefish Planning Board voted 4-1 to deny a request by the owner of the lot at 312 Kalispell Avenue to build a commercial parking lot on half of this property.  The matter will now be heard by the City Council on Monday, Oct. 5 at 7:10 p.m.  The City Council is not bound by the decision of the Planning Board.

The meeting on Oct. 5 will be a virtual meeting due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If you wish to attend virtually via internet software, contact the city to find out how to do so.

 Therefore, the best way to make your feelings known to the City Council is by mail or by email.  The City’s mailing address is: P.O. Box 158, Whitefish, MT 59937.  The email address to use is: dtaylor@cityofwhitefish.org. If you mailed or emailed your comments before the Planning Board Meeting, you do not need to do so a second time, those comments will be in the packet.

Allowing a commercial building to use one, or even half, of a lot on Kalispell Avenue for a commercial use may set a precedent that could determine what happens to all the lots on Kalispell Avenue.  Kalispell Avenue could quickly become parking for every commercial building on Spokane Avenue.

Do you want Kalispell Avenue to remain a residential street and part of the historic Whitefish residential neighborhood?  If you do, then you need to let the City Council know how you feel if you have not already done so.  You need to do this no later than Thursday, Oct. 1.

John Oliver Ellis, Jr., Whitefish