Whitefish mapping out more bike trails
The Daily Inter Lake
Whitefish unveils plans for the next round of bike paths at a public hearing before the City Council on Tuesday.
Five trail segments are proposed this year and will be built with roughly $1.5 million of a $3 million federal allocation awarded to the city in late 2005.
The trails include:
. Second Street from Cow Creek to Armory Road.
. East Edgewood Drive from the viaduct to Texas Avenue.
. The Rocksund to Monegan Trail, which takes off from the northeast corner of Rockwood Subdivision (behind Don K Chevrolet), crosses the river and connects with Monegan Road.
. Riverside at Whitefish, which begins behind Riverside Assisted Living and follows the river to the northeast corner of Riverside.
. The Riverside Park footbridge to Seventh Street trail runs a half block on Scott Avenue, then turns west on Sixth Street and follows the drainage to the corner of Geddes Avenue and Seventh Street.
Not included in Tuesday's bike-path hearing is the Wisconsin Avenue Trail, which was delayed last year due to easement issues. It should be built this summer, Public Works Director John Wilson said.
A 20-LOT subdivision off Wisconsin Avenue gets a second look from the council. Granite Ridge Development, planned on the west side of Wisconsin Avenue, across from Alpine Market, was sent back to the planning board in December because of concerns with design and open space and a need for clarification on an affordable-housing agreement between the developer and Whitefish Housing Authority.
An amended design with more usable open space is now on the table.
The council will consider both the planned-unit development and preliminary plat for Granite Ridge.
A third public hearing on the agenda includes a series of amendments to the city's bicycle and pedestrian trails master plan. City Manager Gary Marks said the amendments are generally designed to update the plan and maintain it as "an accurate reflection of the community's vision for the ongoing development" of a trails network.
IN OTHER business, the council will be asked to support legislation that would increase the maximum penalty for lakeshore violations from $500 to $5,000.
Sen. Dan Weinberg, D-Whitefish, and Rep. Bill Beck, R-Whitefish, are jointly sponsoring the bill and have asked the council to provide a letter of support.
Council member Cris Coughlin has asked the council to consider a resolution supporting the diversity of the Whitefish community, to affirm the city's respect and support for "an inclusive community."
The council will hear a report on 911 consolidation and emergency-services planning issues.
Two minor subdivisions will be considered: a four-lot development called Iowa Flats at 526 Skyles Place, and Iowa Hill, a three-lot subdivision at 305 Iowa Ave.
At a work session from 5:30 to 6:45, the council will get an update on the growth policy being drafted.
The regular meeting begins at 7:10 p.m. at City Hall.
Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by e-mail at lhintze@dailyinterlake.com