The ordinance would ban curb parking near Pine Creek Lodge | ban Montana

Opponents of the ordinance were primarily supporters of Pine Creek Lodge, an indoor/outdoor music venue with limited parking.

“On-street parking has become a serious public safety issue,” said County Commissioner Bill Berg.

If the ordinance is passed as currently written, it would be unlawful for any person to park a motor vehicle on any portion of the streets and associated rights of way in Park County listed below:

1. Pine Creek Road from Highway 89 to East River Road

3. Luccock Park Road, starting at East River Road and continuing east for 1 mile

4. Deep Creek Bench Road, beginning at East River Road and continuing east 1 mile

5. Deep Creek South Fork Road, beginning at East River Road and continuing east 1 mile

6. East River Road, from Deep Creek Bench Road to Barney Creek Road.

Illegally parked motor vehicles may be removed and subject to a fine of up to $500 under the ordinance.

Currently, concert goers and patrons at Pine Creek Lodge, located at 2496 E. River Road, typically park on the sides of public roads near the venue.

But according to the proposed regulation, “parking on the streets in and around Pine Creek has presented a safety hazard and disrupted traffic flow.”

“Parking is a problem when it’s blocking emergency vehicles,” said Park County Rural Fire District #1 fire chief Dann Babcox. “If we don’t get through, we’ll have to turn around and go all the way back. I don’t want to close this but we need to find a solution for parking.”

Josh Chabalowski, fire chief at Livingston Fire & Rescue, agreed with Babcox.

“We had a medical emergency and one of our ambulances couldn’t get through and it took 15 to 20 minutes to get around,” Chabalowski said. “If this continues, you are risking life and we cannot allow that.”

Jenny Arr, co-owner of Pine Creek Lodge, spoke out against the ordinance as it stands.

“We’re looking for more time and more collaboration on solutions rather than what’s being written now,” said Arr, who co-owns Pine Creek Lodge with Chip Hurt. “The current regulation will put us out of business. We couldn’t host any major events that pay our bills, and we couldn’t serve lunch or dinner without some degree of parking on East River Road, which has been historically common. “

According to Berg, more than 1,000 people sent emails or letters to the district commission, expressing opposition or support for the ordinance.

The commission will continue public discussion of the proposed regulation on January 31 at 5 p.m. at the Park County Fairgrounds.

Pine Creek Lodge offers year-round music and thousands of concert-goers annually, with outdoor shows on the main stage from early June through mid-October and more intimate indoor concerts from October through May.

“We are working on alternative solutions that do not involve on-street parking,” said Arr.