Whitefish to discuss 'doughnut' lawsuit decision

The Daily Inter Lake

A wide-ranging agenda for the Whitefish City Council tonight includes discussion about a court ruling on the Whitefish interlocal agreement with the county over the two-mile "doughnut" area.

Flathead County District Judge Kitty Curtis on Thursday denied an injunction request from Whitefish intended to block the county from taking planning control of the doughnut, and said city laws would remain in effect until a county growth policy is created to replace them.

The council will decide whether or not to appeal the decision.

The proposed downtown parking garage and street improvements may take up a big portion of the evening. Though the projects aren't scheduled for a public hearing, The Heart of Whitefish group asked the city for a chance to address the council prior to the council's vote. That request has been expanded to allow comments from the public as well.

Discussion will continue on the parking structure - a three-story facility planned at the northwest corner of Spokane Avenue and Second Street - and alternate parking options. In March the council tabled a motion to approve the parking garage and asked for a financial breakdown of the $5 million structure. The council also asked for a detailed report of other parking options amid controversy over the size and location of the planned garage.

A report on the funding and scope for downtown street improvements also will be given. That $5.3 million project includes roughly $4 million for a Central Avenue upgrade and $1.2 million to reconstruct portions of First and Third streets in downtown.

IT'S BUDGET time, and City Manager Gary Marks will give his annual PowerPoint presentation outlining major objectives for the coming fiscal year.

Two related public hearings also are slated. Developers of Granite Ventures and Swift Creek Cabins, both on the west side of Wisconsin Avenue, want to amend growth-policy land designations to zoning that will allow short-term rentals.

Earlier this year the council voted to more strictly enforce the city's short-term rental policy and encouraged neighborhoods to work together in proposing changes to accommodate rental.

The planning board last month approved Swift Creek Cabins' proposal, but forwarded the Granite Ventures request to the council without a recommendation.

The meeting begins at 7:10 p.m. at Whitefish City Hall.