Town Council votes to pursue state variance to allow angle parking on Spring Street

The Town Council voted to pursue a state variance to allow angle parking on specified blocks of Spring Street after an extended discussion of safety, business access and state law.

Chair (speaker 1) opened the item by summarizing a recent meeting with state highway staff and citing Montana Code 61-8-355, which the chair said bars angle parking on commission-designated or state highways unless the Department of Transportation determines the roadway is wide enough. The chair said the law dates to 2003 and that the town has a mix of existing angle and parallel parking.

The council read a letter from the local hospital (attributed to Megan Calville) urging parallel parking because ambulance crews have had close calls when vehicles are angled; the chair read the hospital letter aloud. Bailey, speaking for the chamber, said the chamber had voted to ask the council to table the change or allow more time for study and collaboration. "We strongly believe that it would be beneficial to allow additional time to research, plan, and collaborate efforts toward a resolution that works for both the businesses and the town," Bailey said.

Sheriff Lewis (speaker 9) told the council enforcement resources are limited and described the practical discretion law enforcement uses when deciding which statutes to enforce. "We pick our own battles so we can win the war," he said, adding that liability in a crash could involve the town, county and state and that the state had told the town the state would likely be the primary target for any suit because it has the "deepest pockets."

Local business owner Russ (speaker 10) outlined a three-part approach: prepare a variance request for targeted blocks, ask the state to consider curb/sidewalk/curve improvements to improve pedestrian safety and ADA access, and use signage or truck routes to manage heavy vehicles. Russ said he would contribute technical help and suggested the council pick a target timeframe ("90 days, hundred 20 days" he said) to prepare the package.

Council members discussed engineering guidance provided by the state: shallower angle parking (around 30–33 degrees) requires less curb-to-line width (roughly 27 feet) while steeper angles require up to about 37 feet. Members noted the town's downtown blocks are narrower than those in other towns that previously got variances, and they discussed leaving some sections parallel to accommodate longer vehicles.

Council member (speaker 8) moved to pursue a variance and the motion was seconded; the council carried the motion by voice vote. Chair said next steps will include collecting engineering data, soliciting letters of support and opposition from affected businesses and residents, and preparing a formal variance package to submit to the state DOT.

The council did not set a firm submission date at the meeting but directed staff and volunteers to begin assembling the materials the state requires for a variance application. The council emphasized coordination with the state and warned that any final design would need to consider emergency access and large vehicle routing.

What happens next: staff and business volunteers will collect measurements, engineering recommendations and community letters to shape the variance application; the council indicated it will return to the topic once the variance package is drafted.