Whitefish council to vote on two hotel projects
An architectural rendering shows a proposed boutique hotel on Central Avenue in downtown Whitefish. (Courtesy of Averill Hospitality)
The Whitefish City Council will decide the fate of two hotel projects at Monday’s meeting, and is poised to potentially deny approval of an 85-room hotel proposed on U.S. 93 South.
Two weeks ago the council postponed a decision on a request from Rimrock Companies LLC for a conditional-use permit to build a hotel on Hedman Lane in a subdivision just north of First Baptist Church on the highway strip. Council members voiced concerns about the anticipated uptick in traffic and whether the hotel would be a good fit for the neighborhood. Mayor John Muhlfeld suggested delaying the decision to allow time to create a rationale for denial.
City staff have done that in a proposed resolution that includes findings of fact for denying the permit. That resolution acknowledges the conditional-use permit complies with the city’s zoning regulations, and the parcel is adequate to the proposed use. However, it notes access to the site may not be adequate because there’s not a stoplight at U.S. 93 South and Hedman Lane.
The proposed hotel is expected to generate more than 700 vehicle trips daily. There’s a concern that vehicles leaving the hotel site and traveling north to downtown Whitefish would have to cross two lanes of southbound traffic that is particularly high during the summer tourist season.
And while the resolution states the hotel isn’t anticipated to negatively impact the neighborhood because of dust, noise, smoke, or other environmental nuisances, it further notes the development may have a detrimental effect on the community in general because of increased traffic and use of public infrastructure.
The Whitefish Planning Office staff and Planning Board both recommended approval of the hotel, subject to conditions. The council has closed the public hearing on the WF 57 hotel, though public comments could be made during the designated public-comment segment at the beginning of the council meeting.
THE SECOND hotel project on Monday’s agenda — a 40-suite boutique hotel including a bar and lounge at 38 Central Ave. — will be considered for approval following a public hearing.
Will MacDonald, on behalf of 38 Central Partners, LLC, is requesting a planned-unit development to develop the boutique hotel. The property is currently undeveloped and has been used as an unpaved parking lot.
Planning staff and the Planning Board have recommended approval of the downtown hotel, with the Planning Board adding a new condition that the hotel be independently owned and not a franchise facility.
IN OTHER business, the council will consider awarding a contract for curbside recycling services to Montana Waste Systems Inc., doing business as North Valley Refuse. But first, the council will hold a public hearing for the proposed ordinance that amends city code to include the curbside recycling program.
The city has a centralized recycling site at the corner of Columbia Avenue and Railway Street that is chronically overused. That site is now owned by the Whitefish Housing Authority, and the recently executed solid waste contract doesn’t include recycling services.
The first-year cost in the proposed curbside recycling contract is $6.25 per month per stop, or $75 annually for each of the city’s estimated 3,500 customers. The charge for service would be mandatory, regardless of use.
The meeting starts at 7:10 p.m. Monday in the council chambers at City Hall. Instructions for viewing remotely via Webex can be found on the city’s website.
News editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 406-758-4421 or lhintze@dailyinterlake.com.