Whitefish divorces Tri-City Planning

Citing the need to be in control of its own destiny, the Whitefish City Council on Monday unanimously agreed to sever ties with the Tri-City Planning Office.

The withdrawal will become effective July 1. After that, Whitefish is free to create its own planning team and plans to hire three full-time planners and a part-time administrative assistance to get the job done. The city expects to save $15,000 a year with the new structure.

"The goal is to provide a one-stop approach for development applicants where all information and code compliance needs would be addressed," City Manager Gary Marks said.

The divorce from the Tri-City Planning Office was driven by the pace of rapid development in Whitefish. Council member Cris Coughlin said the Tri-City office was "once a productive tool for us, but it can no longer keep up the pace."

Having only a part-time planner in Whitefish hampers the process, she said.

Marks spoke to public criticism of Whitefish's proposal.

"One issue circulating is that if Whitefish withdraws we're ringing the death knell for county planning," he said. "The Tri-City office is just that - three cities, each with its own uniqueness. Regional planning was just not happening. It went the way of the dodo when the county withdrew from FRDO [Flathead Regional Development Office]."

Mayor Andy Feury likened Whitefish's relationship to the Tri-City office to a marriage that was no longer working.

"We're in separate worlds," he said.

If the Tri-City office dissolves because of Whitefish's withdrawal, Marks said the city would consider helping out Columbia Falls.

"Columbia Falls needs to make a decision and if it wishes to approach us, that's OK, but it needs to come from them," Marks said.

The council agreed countywide planning still needs to be addressed.

Marks said County Commissioner Gary Hall's plan to create a regional planning task force has merit and should proceed.

The direction for regional planning needs to be driven by the county, though, Coughlin said.

"The county needs to step up to the plate and bring regional planning back to the forefront."

Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by e-mail at lhintze@dailyinterlake.com