Planning occupies Whitefish council

The Daily Inter Lake

Planning takes center stage at the Whitefish City Council meeting today.

The council meets with the Whitefish City-County Planning Board at 5:30 p.m. for a 90-minute work session on planning project priorities. The groups will look at long-range planning projects, including the growth-policy update, zoning plans for unzoned areas, the Shiloh Avenue corridor study and a project to formulate development standards for steep slopes, wetlands, drainage and critical wildlife habitat.

Projects pertaining to code work will also be prioritized, according to Whitefish Planning Director Bob Horne. They include guest-house standards, rural zones, revisions to the planned-unit development process, tree retention, standards for "big box" stores, landscape code revisions and lakeshore-protection standards for Blanchard Lake. The boards also will consider the importance of fencing and lighting standards, sign laws and vendor regulations.

Two other items are on the workshop agenda: a proposed steering committee for the growth-policy update and discussion of the city's 45-day planning process. Horne said the 45-day time limit seems inadequate for larger development projects. Planners and council members will discuss how to handle the planning process.

At its meeting starting at 7:10 p.m., the council will consider passing a resolution establishing an ad hoc growth-policy steering committee as it begins a yearlong process of updating the city's growth policy. Whitefish must complete the state-mandated growth policy revisions by October 2006.

The committee would allow representatives from stakeholder groups to participate in the development of the new policy.

In other business, the council has two public hearings slated.

Gerda Reeb has requested a conditional-use permit for a guest house, 136 Texas Ave. The planning board unanimously approved the project.

Dennis and Jeanie Konopatzke have asked for a conditional-use permit to build a second principle structure on their property, 2194 Houston Drive. Their application drew protests at the board meeting from neighbors concerned about the elevation of the structure. Drainage was also a concern.

The planning board OK'd the Konopatzkes' request on a 5-2 vote.

The work session and regular meeting will be held at Whitefish City Hall.