Whitefish considers scaled-back subdivision plan

A final public hearing on the proposed Second Street Residences housing development in Whitefish will be held tonight as the Whitefish City Council considers a zone change and planned unit development for the project.

Sean Averill and Will MacDonald of Community Infill Partners plan to develop 23 acres off East Second Street with 54 single-family homes and eight townhouse units in four buildings. 

The site is zoned as one-family residential and agriculture. The request seeks to change the zoning to estate residential.

Last year the developers brought three different design plans to the Planning Board as they attempted to find a housing mix and density that was compatible with the rural nature of that residential area. They initially asked for 174 housing units, which drew strong opposition from neighbors.

The Planning Board last month recommended approval of the scaled-back design plan, subject to 27 conditions.

Another public hearing deals with a conditional-use permit request to add four temporary modular classrooms to Whitefish Christian Academy at 820 Ashar Avenue.

The council will consider a recommendation from the Whitefish Lakeshore Protection Committee to deny an application from the city of Whitefish for a permit at City Beach to install a trench grate and an oil/water separator within the protection zone to capture and treat boat bilge. 

The committee had concerns about the outflow pipe, the possibility of having the separator submerged during high-water events and the length of time it would take for the concrete to cure completely.

Mike Koopal of the Whitefish Lake Institute also voiced concerns during an earlier public hearing, according to City Manager Chuck Stearns’ council report. The city planning staff has recommended approval of the lakeshore construction permit.

The council will consider a request from North Valley Food Bank, asking to change the name of a portion of West 15th Street along the new food bank to June’s Way in honor of food bank founder and longtime director June Munski-Feenan, who recently died.

A work session from 6:15 to 7 p.m. will include an update on a proposal for a conservation easement on 3,000 acres owned by F.H. Stoltze Land and Lumber Co. in Haskill Basin. The land is within the city’s watershed.

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