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Planning commission recommends conditional use permit for accessory casino at proposed Mountain Prime steakhouse downtown
Summary
The commission recommended approval of a conditional use permit for an accessory gaming area inside a proposed Mountain Prime Steakhouse at 214 South Main Street; staff and commissioners stressed the gaming area must remain subordinate to the restaurant and meet signage, enclosure and licensing conditions.
The Kalispell City Planning Commission voted June 10 to recommend approval of a conditional use permit (CUP) to allow an accessory casino within a proposed Mountain Prime Steakhouse at 214 South Main Street, an interior conversion of an existing 11,068‑square‑foot downtown building. Donnie McBath, Planner II, presented the staff report and recommended approval with conditions that keep gaming incidental to the restaurant.
Staff described the proposal as an adaptive‑reuse project in the B‑4 Central Business zone that would allocate about 959 square feet to a gaming area. City code allows restaurants and bars by right in B‑4 but requires a CUP for casinos; accessory gaming areas are allowed if they remain subordinate to the primary use. McBath told commissioners the gaming space would be fully enclosed with permanent walls and a standard door, signage would not reference gaming, and the use would not include outdoor entertainment or amplified sound. The project is exempt from on‑site parking requirements under the B‑4 zone and staff said existing public parking and walkable infrastructure support the proposal.
During discussion commissioners acknowledged mixed personal views on casino uses but noted the site is vacant and that the proposal includes conditions intended to keep gaming secondary to the restaurant and to preserve downtown character. There was no public comment.
The commission adopted staff report KCUDash25Dash03 as findings of fact and recommended that the City Council approve the conditional use permit subject to the published conditions. The CUP recommendation will be part of the public process at City Council for final action and for any required liquor and gaming licensing reviews.
Ending: Staff will forward the commission’s recommendation to City Council; any final approvals for gaming and liquor remain with licensing authorities and the council’s public hearing process.
