It’s decision time for proposed Town Pump in Whitefish

The Whitefish City Council will vote on a conditional-use permit for a convenience store and gas station on the south end of Whitefish during its remote meeting this evening at 6:30 p.m.

Residents can find instructions to join the meeting – either through the WebEx platform or over the phone – under “Agenda Info” in the Mayor and City Council section of the City of Whitefish website.

The proposed Town Pump gas station would be at the northeast corner of the intersection of U.S. 93 and Montana 40.

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.

At its April 6 meeting, the council decided to postpone a decision until tonight’s meeting to allow for more public involvement, especially as technical difficulties did not allow every member of the public to speak. The council also had concerns about an outdated traffic analysis for the location and requirements for the preservation of trees on the property.

The council has received at least five letters opposing the conditional-use permit, including one from Citizens For A Better Flathead. The letters point out an alleged failure to meet Whitefish Growth Policy standards; concerns about traffic and the increased potential for traffic accidents; and its location at the “entry to Whitefish” on the south side of the city.

The Planning Board approved the request in a 4-3 vote at its March 19 meeting.

The council will also look at purchasing “sole source filters” for the city’s water treatment plant, solely for the acquisition of a contact absorption clarifier treatment process for the new water treatment plant.

Construction on Whitefish’s water treatment plant is expected to begin in August. The city selected Morrison-Maierle Inc. to design and oversee construction for the planned water source and treatment capacity expansion project.

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