Whitefish still mulling short-term rental proposal

A proposal to create overlay zones for nightly and weekly rentals in Whitefish will be considered during a public hearing at the Whitefish City Council meeting tonight.

The plan is to allow the future creation of overlay zones where residential nightly and weekly rentals of less than 30 days would be permitted in areas of 10 acres or more that successfully apply for a future zoning map amendment.

In February the Planning Board first considered an application from Courtland Chelmo for a rental overlay district, but postponed a decision to get more information from the planning staff and the applicant.

Then in March the board voted to recommend denial of the zoning text amendment because a majority of board members felt it doesn't encourage the most appropriate use of land within the city and isn't consistent with the character of residential districts outside the already established resort residential zoning.

The Whitefish Planning Office staff, however, is recommending approval of a revised proposal that increases the city's enforcement abilities for illegal rentals and provides better performance criteria.

The council has a heavy agenda, with three other public hearings scheduled.

The first hearing involves a request from Fresh Life Church and Sam and Lourdes Pollock for a conditional use permit to allow a church at 5932 U.S. 93 South.

A second hearing focuses on the first reading of an ordinance to adopt zoning text amendments regarding how the city uses its administrative conditional-use permit, which allows a process for a quicker review of projects with minimal impacts.

The short-term rental overlay zone hearing is third on the list and is followed by a hearing to consider the design elements and cost issues of the Second Street reconstruction being funded by a federal grant.

In other business, the council will consider a resolution authorizing the process to develop the Depot Park master plan and approving an agreement with Bruce Boody for planning design services.

The council also will consider first reading of an ordinance to require a zoning compliance permit and process for new commercial uses and additions.

The council meets for a work session at 6 p.m. to talk about Whitefish Housing Authority programs and the use of tax-increment revenue for housing. The regular meeting begins at 7:10 p.m.; both meetings are at Whitefish City Hall.