The Kalispell City Council tonight will begin the final steps toward redefining casino zoning regulations.

The council will hear the first reading of the recommendations by the city Planning Board for casino regulations in city limits.

The recommendation includes increasing the minimum feet between casinos from 300 to 400, changing sign standards for casinos in the north and south entrance corridors of Kalispell and prohibiting casinos from being developed north of Idaho Street and south of Airport Way and Twin Acres Drive.

The boundaries were chosen to allow casino development where there already is a historical pattern of casino development. The spacing amendment will help disperse future casinos.

There are 24 casinos in city limits. Current zoning regulations could allow 22 more.

Several Kalispell and Flathead County residents have expressed disapproval of casino development since the council approved a Town Pump and Lucky Lil’s casino in April on the north side of town. On Oct. 12, several residents opposed all casino development; some called the idea terrifying.

Council members discussed other options beyond the recommendation by the Planning Board but ultimately decided against denying all casino development.

The council also will hear a recommendation for a conditional use permit for the Immanuel Lutheran Corporation’s five phases of development at the Buffalo Hill Terrace senior living and care facility.

The expansion phases include 92,370 square feet of new construction and 68,240 square feet of renovations to be completed over the next 5 1/2 years.

The planning board will also give a recommendation on amending a zoning ordinance governing parking at Kalispell Center Mall.

The amendment allows one parking space for every 400 feet of floor space, while the current code requires one parking space per 250 feet of floor area. This will allow for infill in unused areas of the parking lot, providing room for expansion of new stores in a lot that’s largely underutilized.

The Kalispell Police Department will also accept a $59,600 Homeland Security Grant to purchase a negotiator phone and a tactical robot.

The current phone is not dependable, according to a memo from Police Chief Roger Nasset to City Manager Doug Russell. The tactical robot is a small, rugged remote-control vehicle with a camera that allows officers to visually clear rooms and communicate from a safe distance.

The Planning Board is also recommending that the building application fees be lowered to $1,000 and $10 per lot for spaces that won’t see dramatic changes through the applied development. The current charge for all applications is $1,000 and $125 per lot, regardless of changes to lot configuration.

The council will consider appointing Tony Nelson and Terence Richmond to the Kalispell Street Tree Committee. The six-member committee develops strategies for planting, protection, maintenance and removal of trees in Kalispell.

Nelson and Richmond were the only two applicants for the two vacant seats on the committee.

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