Whitefish Christian Academy seeks to make temp classrooms permanent

Whitefish Christian Academy is asking the city of Whitefish to allow temporary classrooms at the school to be made permanent.

The school’s request for a conditional-use permit is the focus of a public hearing Thursday, Dec. 16, before the Whitefish Planning Board.

Over the years, the private school has presented the city with several plans for expansion. Two temporary classrooms on the west side of the school were approved by the City Council in 2014.

“Because the intent of the school was to rebuild in a new location outside of Whitefish and the classrooms would be temporary, the Building Official was comfortable allowing their usage for up to four years,” the planning staff report notes.

Whitefish Christian Academy began using the temporary classrooms in fall 2015, and when the conditional-use permit expired four years later, the council granted a second permit to expand the school in its existing location on Ashar Avenue.

This request included an additional two years for the temporary classrooms while construction of the school occurred. However, one of the conditions for approval was that the temporary classrooms cease before fall 2021 and be removed from the property, the staff report said.

Prior to and since the 2019 conditional-use permit expiration in April 2021, staff has been in contact with the school to remind them of the requirement to remove the temporary classrooms and determine next steps. There were two options: remove the classrooms according to the 2014 and 2019 permits; or apply for a conditional-use permit to make the classrooms permanent.

Currently the classrooms are not being used for students or storage until the permit is approved and subsequent building review and construction can be completed, according to the staff report.

IN OTHER business, the Planning Board will consider a request by Joy Keuylian for a conditional-use permit to build a guest house at 465 Armory Road.

Laurany Gergen is asking for a conditional-use permit to construct an accessory apartment over a new garage at 424 Somer Ave.

The board meets at 6 p.m. Thursday at Whitefish City Hall.