Residential growth sets records in Whitefish

Whitefish continued to set records in residential construction in 2005, but commercial development slowed considerably last year.

The Whitefish Building Department issued 240 building permits for $92 million worth of new construction. In 2004, 187 permits accommodated $88.1 million worth of construction.

Eighty permits were issued for single-family homes last year, with a valuation of $33.6 million. That's 20 more permits than were issued in 2004, and about $10 million more in total value.

It equates to an average of $420,000 for a new home in Whitefish, but that figure is somewhat skewed by the number of high-end, million-dollar-plus homes being built in areas such as Iron Horse on Big Mountain.

Townhouse construction more than doubled in Whitefish last year, with the average townhome costing $225,400. There were 28 permits for 59 units issued for $13.3 million worth of construction. That compares to just 12 permits for 28 units worth $5.9 million in 2004.

Whitefish Planning Director Bob Horne said the pace of townhouse development may be leveling off.

"We're starting to see a trend toward lower density, to single-family products," he said.

In 2003, townhouse construction also was strong, with 24 permits for 48 units worth $8.2 million.

Construction of multifamily complexes was likewise strong last year. Sixteen permits were issued for 153 units worth $24.3 million. In 2004, just 6 multifamily permits were issued for 58 units worth $8.5 million.

Commercial development dropped sharply in Whitefish last year. A total of 19 permits yielded $17.9 million in new construction. That's down from 2004, when 34 permits were issued for $47.9 million worth of construction. The 2004 figures got a boost from the new Super 1 Foods store, which cost $8 million.

Horne said it's difficult to guess whether construction will continue at its present pace. Continued residential growth is likely, though. A quick analysis done by the planning department late last year in preparation for a discussion about a possible moratorium on major subdivision indicated there are nearly 800 permitted lots in Whitefish that have not yet been built out.

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