Project narrowly approved

The Aspen Group's plan to redevelop the former North Valley Hospital site narrowly won approval from the Whitefish City-County Planning Board last week.

On a 4-3 vote, the board recommended approval of The Banks at Whitefish, a 53-lot resort community with Whitefish River frontage. The Whitefish City Council will have the final say on the project following an April 18 public hearing.

The Arizona-based development company plans to subdivide 11.7 acres into nine single-family lots and 42 townhouse units and has asked for deviations to the required street width, sidewalks, street lighting standards, building height, off-street parking and setback requirements.

A clubhouse is planned near the northern entrance to the proposed subdivision. The project is exempt from a parkland dedication, but 3.22 acres of open space would be within the center of the development, along the northern and southern boundaries and along the Whitefish River.

In 2001 the city secured a 10-year trail easement from North Valley Hospital that will expire in December 2011. The city is recommending that as a condition of approval, The Aspen Group should renegotiate the terms of the easement to ensure the trail will be constructed.

The developer plans to build a boardwalk trail through the river wetlands, but it will be the city's responsibility to develop any river access, Whitefish senior planner Wendy Compton-Ring said.

A key addition to the project is a loading/unloading area for canoes, added at the request of the Whitefish Paddlers. Greg Stratton, vice president of The Aspen Group, met with a representative of the paddling group last week and agreed to dedicate public access on the sidewalk to the river, on the northern edge of the project. A wetlands consultant will work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for a permit to install the boardwalk.

Planning Board members had varying concerns about the project.

Board member Scott Sorensen said he felt the project is too dense for Whitefish and would like it reduced by at least 25 percent. Sorensen also said the buildings were too high and the roads too narrow.

Karen Reeves also was concerned about the building height. The Aspen Group said in its application that no building would be taller than 45 feet. The city has a 35-foot height limit for buildings, but last year the council agreed to a 45-foot height limit for the downtown area, with a 20-foot setback on the third floor.

Kerry Crittenden wanted an affordable-housing component added to the project.

On a roll-call vote, Crittenden, Sorensen and Steve Qunell opposed the project. Voting in favor were Ole Netteberg, Ken Meckel, Peggy Sue Amelon and Reeves. Ken Stein and Greg Gunderson were absent.

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