Why is Sandpoint working against, not with, bank?

I'm lost why our local government officials are the barriers to the common good regarding the parking issues for the new Panhandle State Bank building.

PSB has tried several creative solutions to actually solve the parking problem, rather than put up funds to handle the issue in the distant future. Local officials seem more interested in blocking any creative solutions and forcing the bank to pay the in-lieu-of fees, which is a lose-lose-lose proposition for the bank, the city, and our community. Sure, PSB can fund the in-lieu-of fees, but they strongly support, as do I, solving the true parking problems up front. Why shouldn't we get it right the first time?

I encourage our government officials to work with rather than against PSB to actually solve the parking problem for the new building. Government can and should cooperatively partner with businesses to benefit the community as a whole. Many creative solutions exist; "no" should not be the prominent attitude from our local leaders.

MARK ROCKWELL

Sandpoint