City of Whitefish to hold downtown parking forums

The city of Whitefish is developing a Parking Action Plan to address current and future parking challenges in the downtown and adjacent residential neighborhoods, and will host two public forums July 16 to get input.

Anyone interested is welcome to stop by in the morning between 8 and 9 a.m. or over lunch between 11:30 a.m. to 1 pm. City staff and Dixon Resources Unlimited, the city’s professional parking consultants, will be available to take comments and answer questions. Refreshments will be provided.

Additionally, downtown parking will be the topic of a City Council work session from 6 to 7 p.m. Monday, July 15, where the consultant will discuss the plan’s initial findings. Council work sessions are open to the public.

The city is looking for public input and providing opportunities to come and hear about the many ideas and approaches being considered to address downtown parking. The plan encompasses the downtown WB-3 commercial zone, including the Railway District, and adjacent residential neighborhoods.

“If you own a business downtown, work downtown, live in or near downtown, or ever need to find parking downtown, the approaches that are being considered as part of the Parking Action Plan probably affect you,” Whitefish Planning Director Dave Taylor said.

Questions about the upcoming meetings may be directed to City Planner Hilary Lindh, (hlindh@cityofwhitefish.org, or 863-1254). Additional information about the Parking Action Plan and how you can participate is also available on the City’s Long Range Planning webpage: http://www.cityofwhitefish.org/planning-and-building/long-range-plans.php