Kalispell City Council on Monday is expected to consider ways to crack down on disruptive and unsavory activity in the overflow lot by Legends Stadium.  

Council meets on May 12 at 7 p.m. in City Hall, 201 First Ave. E.  

Dale Bolz of Kalispell has addressed Council in recent months on behalf of residents frustrated by loud and reckless cars causing havoc in the parking lot by the stadium for over a year.  

He has described blaring horns, alcohol- and drug-fueled burnouts and the glare of high-powered headlights illuminating nearby homes late into the night. He said he has also seen the lot used as an open-air toilet.  

Bolz, in a letter to Council, said his car “resembles an unmarked patrol cruiser, which has seemed to be somewhat of a deterrent,” but wants a permanent solution.  

The city-owned parking lot was built in 2021 to ease parking congestion from school-related events, according to a memo by City Manager Doug Russell.  The lot sits between Airport Road and First Avenue West, just south of 17th Street West.  

Parking is prohibited from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m., but Russell told Council last week during budget talks that he would recommend closing the lot as early as 7 p.m.  

Loitering there after that time would constitute trespassing, he said.  

Russell’s memo also recommends that Council consider making the time constraints flexible for events that would draw upon the parking lot, though.  

COUNCIL WILL also look over a review of police and fire impact fees conducted by the Impact Fee Committee.  

The maximum allowed charges saw an adjustment due to growth and upcoming capital improvements. The fees were last adjusted in 2015.  

Impact fees are one-time charges on new developments to cover the cost of new infrastructure, like buildings and equipment. The fees shift some of the cost onto the new customers, so the burden isn’t only on existing ones.  

Police Impact fees are currently set at $41 per residential until, $31 per apartment unit, and $16 per 1,000 square feet of commercial space. Fire impact fees are currently $482 per residential unit, $367 per apartment unit and $350 per 1,000 square feet of commercial space.  

The maximum allowed charge for police and fire impact fees decreased for both residential and apartment units but increased for commercial development. The maximum allowable cost is typically much higher than what City Hall adopts.  

The maximum allowable police impact fees decreased from $277 to $192 for residential units and from $210 to $154 for apartment units but increased for commercial space from $179 to $555 per 1,000 square feet of build space.  

The maximum allowable fire impact fees decreased from $1,067 to $782 for residential units and from $811 to $626 for apartment units but increased for commercial space from $778 to $1,168.  

The changes are in part due to commercial construction trends. A memo from city Development Services Director Jarod Nygren indicates an anticipated 258 additional acres of commercial development within city limits from 2025 to 2045.  

Reporter Jack Underhill can be reached at 758-4407 and [email protected].