The Banks at Whitefish is focus of council hearing

The Daily Inter Lake

The Aspen Group's plan for a riverside subdivision at the old North Valley Hospital campus is up for final consideration following a public hearing at the Whitefish City Council meeting tonight.

The Banks at Whitefish narrowly won Planning Board approval in March, but is recommended for approval by the Whitefish Planning & Building Department.

Originally the developer proposed 53 lots on 11.7 acres, including nine single-family lots, 42 townhouse lots, a clubhouse and 3.2 acres of open space. A revised proposal was submitted last week, calling for 45 lots split into nine single-family lots and 36 duplex and triplex lots.

The revised proposal also provides more parking.

The initial focus is on acreage closest to the Whitefish River.

The west side of the site, between a planned extension of Columbia Avenue and U.S. 93, will be reserved for future development, said Greg Stratton, vice president for The Aspen Group's Montana projects.

The proposed subdivision will be the city's first application of the critical-areas ordinance to an entire development project.

Among the changes recommended by the Planning Board are the installation of a parking space for loading and unloading canoes and kayaks and a trail to the Whitefish River Trail from the north end of the subdivision. The board also amended a condition to require that a sidewalk be installed.

A second public hearing will consider a proposed ordinance to convert Whitefish City Court into a municipal court, making it a court of record.

IN OTHER business, the council will discuss parking options during the Central Avenue reconstruction, including leased parking in the new city lot being built at the corner of Second Street and Spokane Avenue and construction of temporary parking lots.

The council will vote on a resolution establishing short- and long-term goals for the city.

A work session from 5:30 to 7 p.m. will be devoted to affordable housing.

Whitefish Housing Authority Director SueAnn Grogan will review existing programs and grant projects.

Planning Director Dave Taylor and consultant Narda Wilson will discuss how affordable-housing regulations might fit into the current subdivision regulation revision process. And City Manager Chuck Stearns will talk about his experience with affordable-housing requirements in Crested Butte, Colo., and other Colorado ski towns.

The regular meeting begins at 7:10 p.m.; both meetings are at Whitefish City Hall.