Hearing is next step in Whitefish annexation proposal
The city of Whitefish is moving forward with the annexation of 22 acres of contiguous land that includes Park Knoll Estates, and the next step is a public hearing tonight before the Whitefish City Council.
On Nov. 5 the council passed a resolution of intent to annex the Park Knoll neighborhood, and during a 20-day comment period the city did not receive any timely written comments supporting or opposing the annexation, according to City Manager Adam Hammatt’s council report.
In 1989 the Park Knoll Water Association asked the city to extend water service to the subdivision, located on Whitefish’s south side, west of U.S. 93. The city agreed to extend water to the development, conditioned on property owners waiving their right to protest annexation at the point when Park Knoll became contiguous to city limits.
The city will collect an additional $7,367 annually in property taxes and assessments, based on the fiscal year 2017 tax rate, if the council approves the annexation.
In other business, the council will hold a public hearing on Bill Goldberg’s request for a conditional-use permit to build a new commercial mixed-use building at 334 Central Ave. The project requires a permit because the proposed 8,205-square-foot footprint exceeds the 7,500-square-foot threshold and includes more than four dwelling units.
The new mixed-use building will be three stories with ground-level retail and a basement parking garage for 20 parking spaces.
The site is developed with an older house that has been used for retail for decades. Lakestream Fly Shop most recently occupied the building. It will be moved off the site.
The Planning Board recommended approval of the conditional-use permit on a 4-2 vote.
The council has two other public hearings on the agenda: one for a conditional-use permit request from Steve Sutherland and Christine Coughlin to convert an existing area above a garage into a guesthouse at 319 Haugen Heights; and a request from Joy Keuylian for preliminary-plat approval of three lots on 7.5 acres at 465 Armory Road.
The council will vote on a staff recommendation to award the wastewater treatment plant improvement project equipment procurement contract to Aqua-Aerobic Systems Inc. for $2.36 million.
The estimated overall capital cost of the treatment plant upgrade is projected to be $18.4 million.
The council meets at 7:10 p.m. at Whitefish City Hall.
News Editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or lhintze@dailyinterlake.com.