The Kalispell City Council work session tonight will discuss amendments to casino zoning laws and review the current water and sewer regulations for the city.

Casino zoning has been part of several previous City Council meetings that produced nine options. The main concerns include the concentration of the existing 24 casinos and the potential 22 casinos that could be built as the city expands on the north side.

The city also wants to protect the north and south entrance corridors and prohibit casinos from being constructed where there is not a historical pattern of development.

In September, the Kalispell Planning Board recommended a 400-foot buffer, amended sign standards for the casinos already located in the entrance corridor and keeping casino development away from the areas north of U.S. 2 and south of Twin Acres.

Current city code requires 300 feet between casinos.

Residents such as Jenny LaSorte, a Sulky Lane resident, have voiced opposition to further casino development in Kalispell.

LaSorte told Planning Board members that it was criminal to have 24 casinos within the city limits of Kalispell and “a little Vegas should not be created along the U.S. 93 corridor from Kalispell to Whitefish.”

In March, the Kalispell City Council approved the new Town Pump and Lucky Lil’s Casino on West Reserve Drive under the conditions the gas station could not build a sign to promote the gambling, only allowing “Lucky Lil’s.”

In other business, the city will discuss a change from bi-monthly to monthly water billing for city residents, as one of several updates to the city’s water and sewage regulation.

Public Works Director Susie Turner wrote that recommended amendments would ensure adequate service, prevent unfair charges to customers and protect the Kalispell Water Department from unreasonable demands.

The current regulations were adopted in 1981 and have seen minor amendments during the last 34 years.

The work session starts at 7 p.m. today City Hall, 201 First Ave. E.

Reporter Seaborn Larson can be reached at 758-4441 or slarson@dailyinterlake.com.