A new day dawns in 'doughnut'

Is the battle over planning control of Whitefish’s two-mile “doughnut” around the city finally over? It would seem so.

In the aftermath of the Montana Supreme Court ruling that gave control exclusively to Flathead County, the commissioners have wasted no time in moving forward, telling Whitefish in no uncertain terms they intend to begin administering planning activities in the doughnut immediately.

Whitefish had held out hope that it could work with the county during a transitional period, but when the city insisted it must have a signed agreement, albeit a temporary memorandum of understanding, in order to assist in the doughnut, the commissioners said thanks, but no thanks.

In other words, the divorce is truly complete.

The county also declined to keep a city-county planning board in place, and instead authorized a board of city residents only.

Whitefish is no doubt lamenting the loss of its ability to have any say in how its fringes are developed in coming years. The city has had a hand in creating very attractive entrances to the city through the years, from requiring businesses to participate in landscaping along U.S. 93 South and opting for decorative street lights on the west end of the city.

But let’s remember, it was Whitefish’s attempt to enforce laws such as the city’s critical areas ordinance in the doughnut that was the downfall of the interlocal agreement that had given Whitefish a say in doughnut development. It seemed obvious to most of the 3,000 or so doughnut residents that it was a clear-cut case of legislation without representation.

Now Whitefish is in the same boat as the city of Kalispell, which also doesn’t have any say in its two-mile doughnut. Flathead County is in the driver’s seat now and we can only hope county officials will be mindful of community character as they approve future subdivisions and commercial development on these cities’ outer edges.

There likely will be questions and perhaps even delays as the county comes up to speed in administering land-use planning in the Whitefish doughnut. It behooves those involved to take a deep breath and have a little patience as the county gets its arms around its new responsibilities.

Editorials represent the majority opinion of the Daily Inter Lake’s editorial board.