Changes to multifamily zoning standards mulled by Whitefish council
Changes to Whitefish zoning regulations as they pertain to multifamily development standards will be considered by the Whitefish City Council tonight during an online meeting.
The public hearing for the multifamily zoning changes has been closed, and a vote was tabled from Sept. 8 to tonight’s meeting.
One of the key proposed changes is where properties front one or more streets, new buildings must be located no more than 25 feet from the primary street frontage. However, there are several proposed exceptions. For example, the maximum front yard setback doesn’t apply where a landscaped greenbelt is proposed or required. Buildings may be located farther away from the primary street when separated from the street by courtyards, outdoor seating areas, or areas of extensive landscaping. In those cases, buildings must be placed as close to those areas as practical.
Under another exception, buildings may be located farther away from the primary street when separated from the street by existing healthy and mature trees being retained in perpetuity. In those cases, buildings should be placed as close to the trees as practical and a plan must be submitted to maintain the health of the trees along with a replacement plan for dead, dying or hazardous trees.
The city staff recommends the council adopt the code amendments with an amendment that would eliminate the maximum 25-foot setback for non-residential and mixed-use buildings and the exceptions.
IN OTHER business, the council will hold two public hearings. One is a request from Doug Hickok for a conditional-use permit to build a guesthouse at 1632 West Lakeshore Drive.
The second hearing is a request from Jake Carter for a conditional-use permit to construct a parking lot associated with a professional office building use at 337 Spokane Ave. on four lots in the WR-4 zoning district at 312 and 324 Kalispell Ave., which will include adding two townhome units fronting Kalispell Avenue. The property currently is developed with a single-family home and is zoned for multifamily residential development.
The Planning Board on Sept. 17 recommended denial of the permit request, maintaining it is not compatible with the growth policy or zoning regulations.
Several people spoke in opposition at the Planning Board public hearing, noting issues of neighborhood compatibility, traffic and setting a precedent of commercial creep.
Written public comments on council agenda items may be sent to the City Clerk, Michelle Howke, at mhowke@cityofwhitefish.org. or deliver by 4:30 p.m. Oct. 5, at City Hall in the Utility Drop Box. Written comments should include name, address, support or oppose, should be short and concise, courteous, and polite.
All written comments received by 4:30 p.m. will be provided to the City Council and will be appended to the packet following the meeting. At the end of "live" comment, the City Clerk will read the name and address of each individual providing written comments and state whether they support or oppose the proposal/application before the City Council.
To register to attend the virtual meeting, and provide live comment via WebEx on your computer, tablet or smartphone, residents and other attendees should go to the following web address and register: https://cityofwhitefish.webex.com/cityofwhitefish/onstage/g.php?MTID=ee7ae001b6d69a7589297b22cd0421bfc Event Number: 146 190 0883