Whitefish considers growth-policy recommendations

The Whitefish City Council tonight will consider adopting a review of the 2007 Whitefish Growth Policy that calls for eliminating an infill policy and updating the city’s sign ordinance.

A public hearing on the growth policy review will be held before the council makes a decision.

The Planning Board late last year embarked on a four-year review of the planning document. After holding work sessions and a public hearing, the board compiled a list of 10 recommendations that would become an addendum to the growth policy.

The growth policy calls for biennial reviews to gauge progress on a number of long-range issues such as changes in community conditions, demographics and economics. Such reviews also document any “unintended consequences” that may be occurring as a result of policies and recommended actions.

After studying the growth policy’s 50 percent infill policy, the board recommended eliminating that policy, which is meant to discourage future land-use maps from being amended to allow zoning changes for greater densities until the 50 percent infill goal is reached.

One of the recommendations is creating incentives, including a reduction in fees and other costs, to encourage infill.

Other recommendations include:

• Address staffing needs of the planning department.

• Consider revisions to the Dark Skies Ordinance.

• Make it a priority to monitor and make improvements to the city stormwater system.

• Review future land-use map for appropriateness.

• Look at a fee-in-lieu of parking for downtown businesses to help address parking problems.

• Continue to explore economic development and make it a priority.

A second public hearing will review the Sixth Street/Geddes Avenue reconstruction project and authorize the bidding process. The $980,000 upgrade would be paid for with resort-tax revenue and is slated to begin in July.

The council will hear an annual review and consider budget approval for the Whitefish Convention and Visitor Bureau marketing plan.

Public Works Director John Wilson will talk about an application to the state Renewable Resource Grant and Loan Program for researching and establishing a nutrient reduction plan as part of the city’s renewal of the wastewater treatment plant discharge permit.

The proposed program is in response to emerging nutrient regulations and would be developed in collaboration with the Whitefish Lake Institute and Flathead Conservation District.

The council will consider approving a contract with the Crandall-Arambula consulting firm in Portland for an update of the 2006 downtown master plan. A complete review would cost $56,982.

A work session from 6 to 6:50 p.m. will include a review of fire equipment needs and financing options.

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