Golf-course condo plan tabled for more study

A high-density condominium project that would replace Par 3 on 93 Golf Course was tabled Thursday for further study by the Whitefish city planning staff.

Pacific Coast Development, a Newport Beach, Calif. firm, wants to build the condos in 28 residential structures that would encompass most of the golf course. Called The Views, the development would be reached on JP Road and River Lakes Parkway, according to the Tri-City Planning Office staff report.

The buildings would run both north-south and east-west, bordering JP Road on the north, River Lakes Parkway on the east and North Valley Hospital on the south. It would lie several hundred feet off U.S. 93 on the west.

"The applicant came in with some last-minute changes that weren't in the packet, so we continued it," planning-board chairman Nick Palmer said.

The sale of the golf course is contingent on approval of the project. For now, Par 3 on 93 remains open and for sale, golf course owner Deidre Kane said.

Board members had concerns about the density of the project and the tight space between buildings, Whitefish Planning Director Bob Horne said.

In response to earlier concerns from the Tri-City Planning Office staff, the developer did pencil in more open space and more room in the motor court between buildings, but there were too many issues to resolve at the Thursday public hearing.

Horne said the planning staff will meet with developers to work through design issues, and the planning board will reconsider the project June 16.

In other business, the board approved a 13.7-acre development at the southwest corner of State Park Road and Haugen Heights roads. That subdivision is slated for 46 homes and townhouses.

"It's a sweet development," Palmer said. "They'll have alleys, so they capture the old-town feel of Whitefish."

Old Town Development proposes to use a low-impact water management system that would omit curbs and gutters and instead spread runoff over the property. The board directed staff to work with the developer "to find a way to make it work," Palmer said.

The board tabled a request by Alpine Theatre Project to amend Whitefish sign laws to allow for banners on public buildings.

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