Whitefish council to consider new Town Pump

The Whitefish City Council will discuss awarding a conditional-use permit for a gas station at a major intersection on the south end of Whitefish at its meeting tonight at 7:10 p.m.

The meeting will be held remotely through WebEx due to the closure of City Hall during the COVID-19 outbreak. Live streaming “may not be available,” according to the city of Whitefish website, though “audio will be uploaded as soon as possible following the meeting.”

Individuals who wish to provide public comment orally must register ahead of time to receive a caller ID number to help with remote coordination. To register for public comment, please visit http://www.cityofwhitefish.org/mayor-and-city-council/2020-agenda-info-minutes-and-video.php.

The conditional-use permit would be for a new Town Pump gas station south of Whitefish at the northeast corner of the intersection of U.S. 93 and Montana 40, a space currently occupied by a grove of trees and empty lot between the intersection and North Valley Hospital.

Montana Commerce LLC is applying for the permit, on behalf of Baur Family Partnership LLC.

The proposed structure would be approximately 13,700 square feet, and will not be a truck stop. The only food service would be the Town Pump deli.

The Whitefish Planning Board forwarded a favorable recommendation to the council on a 4-3 vote at its March 19 meeting. Opponents on the board were concerned with the project’s traffic study – which is reportedly 15 years old – and the environmental impact of the project.

The board was told there would be 500 to 600 vehicle trips per day at the station. All access points would be on roads not maintained by the city of Whitefish.

Public commenters at the meeting addressed traffic concerns as well as the location of the proposed development. They felt it was out of character and not fitting as an “entrance to town.”

Colin Gaiser may be reached at cgaiser@dailyinterlake.com.