Whitefish mulls zone change for outfitters

The Whitefish City Council tonight will consider a compromise to an earlier request to allow recreational guides and outfitters as a permitted use in the city’s secondary business zone along U.S. 93 S.

Justin Lawrence, owner of Lakestream Outfitters in downtown Whitefish, asked for a zoning text amendment to add recreation guides and outfitters in the secondary zone. He currently is located on Central Avenue, but hopes to relocate to a facility on Spokane Avenue (U.S. 93).

At a public hearing two weeks ago the proposal turned into a struggle between supporters who believe the longtime Whitefish business needs a location to accommodate more space for boats and display rafts for sale and others who say the zone change would erode the integrity of the downtown business district.

Downtown supporters worry such a zone change could attract chain stores and pull business away from downtown. The council tabled the request and asked city staff to suggest language to allow guides and outfitters as a conditional rather than permitted use.

Staff has proposed an ordinance adding guides and outfitters as a conditional use in the secondary business district, but would limit recreational guides and outfitters to 5,000 square feet of gross floor area and would prohibit “formula” or chain businesses. There would be no limitation on the number of boats or other equipment stored or displayed outside.

In his council report, City Manager Chuck Stearns said limiting the square footage should alleviate concerns with large chain outfitting companies from taking advantage of the zoning.

The council will hold a public hearing on the revamped proposal before making a decision.

A hearing on the fiscal year 2017 budget also will be held. The budget decreased 15 mills or 11.2 percent in property tax levies from last year because of the extra property tax relief provided by an increase in the resort tax from 2 to 3 percent.

This year’s proposed budget is $48.6 million of transfers and expenditures for all funds for the fiscal year that began July 1. The budget is down about $14.6 million for the coming year because last year’s budget was unusually high to cover $8.5 million for the Haskill Basin conservation easement and $14.4 million for the City Hall/parking structure construction project that is now underway.

During a work session that begins at 5 p.m. the council will hear updates on the wastewater nutrient trading plan and wastewater treatment plant improvements design.

The regular meeting begins at 7:10 p.m.; both the work session and council meeting are at the interim City Hall, 1005 Baker Ave.

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