City Council Approves Special Use Permit for Downtown Parking Lot

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KLIX) – The Twin Falls City Council on Monday approved a special use permit to zone public parking at a site on the 200 Block of Second Avenue North in downtown.

The Urban Renewal Agency purchased the property and razed two buildings earlier this summer for the parking plans. Officials have said more public parking space is needed downtown to accommodate community events such as weekly summer concerts and other gatherings.

Formerly, the property at 229 Second Ave. N. had been home to several businesses including automotive, electronic, and archery shops.

A temporary surface suitable for parking would be laid at the lot, said Planner 1 Jonathan Spendlove, with curbing, landscaping and lighting deferred until the permanent surface could be installed in 2019 in conjunction with the Downtown Main Avenue Project.

Councilwoman Suzanne Hawkins, however, said she wasn’t comfortable waiting three years for the parking lot to have proper lighting. Other members concurred.

Council members approved the permit but said they'd like the URA to consider using temporary lighting at the parking lot until permanent fixtures can be installed.

Bear Morton, pastor at nearby Magic valley Baptist Church, was the only person who spoke during the public hearing, inviting council members to visit with him if they had questions about the area near the future parking lot.

“We want to be a good friend and neighbor,” he said.

During the meeting council members also approved using $300,000 from Street Reserves to fund a mill and inlay project on Falls Avenue.

Public Works Director Jon Caton explained that his staff would like to take advantage of favorable market prices and piggyback current mill/inlay and ADA ramp bids. The 1-mile project will go from Blue Lakes Boulevard to Washington Street North.