Growth policy passes

At the Whitefish Planning Board meeting Thursday, board members looked at requests for a zone-change and a subdivision, held a public hearing on the contentious critical-areas ordinance and continued deliberation of the Whitefish growth policy filling the agenda.

The board managed to come together to make a few final changes to the growth policy before approving the document, which has been in the works for the past several years.

The major point of contention for several board members was a policy dealing with re-designation of rural properties.

Policy 3B stated, "Land designated Rural or Rural residential on the Future Land Use Map shall not be encouraged for re-designation through a Growth Policy amendment or neighborhood plan until at least 50 percent of the entitled and potential development is actually constructed."

Insisting on 50 percent construction was one issue because, board members said, it was bordering on regulating growth, which the document can not do. The growth policy is a document to guide growth, not to regulate it.

Board member Lisa Horowitz also suggested that the policy be given a "sunset clause," which would ensure its review in two years. In two years, if the Planning Board doesn't like the way the policy is working it can be removed.

The board also has reservations about a policy that stated, "The City shall explore 'growth metering,' limiting the rate at which permits are issued and other means to control the rate and pace of new growth."

By adding the "sunset clause" and eliminating the growth metering policy, all members of the board decided the growth policy was finally a document they could live with.

The policy was approved unanimously and will be sent to the Whitefish City Council for final action.

The board also quickly approved a zone-change request by Bear Paw Pediatrics from Agriculture to Secondary Business. The 1.43-acre parcel is at 611 U.S. 93 S.

Park Place Subdivision was also approved. The four-lot subdivision will be located on 1.86 acres on Park Avenue.

Thursday's Planning Board meeting was filled out with a public hearing on the critical-areas ordinance, which the board moved to table after an hour of public comment.

Reporter Amy May may be reached at 758-4459 or by e-mail at amay@dailyinterlake.com