Three-story building project tops Whitefish agenda

A three-story building proposal is on the Whitefish City Council’s agenda tonight, this time a mixed-use building with seven residential units planned at 139 E. Second St. near the downtown area.

Mark Panassidi is requesting a conditional-use permit for the project; the site is undeveloped. The Planning Board in Janaury recommended approval of the building, but added two conditions that will require a sufficient area be set aside for recycling, and disallow building wash lighting.

The council has several other public hearings scheduled.

Andree Larose and D. Henry Elsen are asking for preliminary plat approval for five lots on 4 acres at 325 Haugen Heights Road.

The council will consider rezoning 1.5 acres of land at 1 Tides Way from county to city one-family limited residential zoning; and 1 acre at 235 Good Avenue, 333 and 345 Jennings Ave. and the Good Avenue right of way from county two-family residential to city low-density multifamily residential zoning.

Bruce and Susan Tate are asking the city to exclude a lot on West Lakeshore Drive from annexation because it can never by developed and thus will never need city services. Due to setback requirements and physical characteristics, only 0.86 of an acre is potentially buildable space. However, in 1985 the Tates signed a declaration of covenants, conditions and restrictions in which they agreed that only one single-family residence may be constructed, used or maintained on the two tracts. The Tates would be assessed about $900 a year for city taxes and assessments if that tract is annexed, according to the city manager’s staff report.

The council will consider dedicating about 1.5 acres of city property to be used as a public trailhead and about 1 acre for a trail corridor for the Whitefish Trail. It will also consider approving the site plan for the Lower Haskill trailhead.

A resolution setting the range of pay for the municipal judge will be voted on. The current judge’s salary is $80,811, the proposed top of the range. The bottom of the range is proposed at $60,000.

During a work session that begins at 6 p.m. the council will review and discuss the Montana Tourism and Recreation Charter and use of the Montana brand, with input from the Whitefish Convention and Visitors Bureau.

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

For more information and a full agenda, visit http://www.cityofwhitefish.org.

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