Whitefish considers affordable apartment project

Whitefish City Council on Monday will consider approving a plan that looks to create 18 affordable apartments as part of the second phase of a complex on Edgewood Place.

Housing Whitefish is requesting a planned unit development for the second phase of the Alpenglow Apartments. The phase would include studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments. 

City Council meets at 7:10 p.m. at City Hall, 418 E. Second St.

The project at 530 Edgewood Place would be a three-story building on a little over half an acre on the northwest corner of the lot. Parking with 75 spaces would be located to the north. 

All the units would be deed-restricted as affordable. Two would serve households in the 60-80% area median income range and 16 would serve up to 120% AMI. 

Three zoning deviations are requested — reduced parking to slightly more than one space per unit, a reduction in the parking lot landscaping and a decrease in the amount of side yard setback from 15 to 10 feet for portions of the building. 

The first phase of the Alpenglow Apartments that includes 38 apartments opened in 2021. 

A second public hearing before Council has it considering an update to its subdivision regulations in response to bills approved by the state Legislature merging the board of adjustment and the planning board into the community development board. 

PLANNING FOR the future, Council will consider approving a contract to Robert, Peccia and Associates to complete a water master plan and AE2S to complete a wastewater master plan. 

Public Works Director Craig Workman said the comprehensive programs for each utility will look ahead 20 years to evaluate the water and sewer systems, quantify future demands and source options, identify necessary improvements and balance needs and costs of providing services. 

The water plan will look at water supplies, needs and the water system. The sewer plan will look at capital improvement projects and efforts required to meet the city’s level of service goals and manage projected growth. 

The budget for the plans is $200,000 funded by water and wastewater funds. The city has also applied for a Community Planning and Development grant through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. 

Finally, Council will consider a resolution approving a one-time payout of back pay to the Whitefish Firefighter Relief Association. The back pay relates to a monthly increase from $225 to $300 per month allowed under House Bill 461 which became effective in July 2013, but the increase did not begin for volunteer firefighters until October 2014. 

The total back pay amounts to about $23,000. 

DURING A work session beginning at 6 p.m., Council will discuss possible compensation for Council and the resort tax.

Whitefish’s city charter states that members of Council and the mayor shall receive no salary.

They can receive per diem and mileage allowances for expenses incurred while performing their duties. Currently, Council gets reimbursed up to $500 toward the purchase of an electronic device, reimbursed $100 for the use of a personal cell phone, provided a WAVE membership and may choose to participate in the city’s health insurance program but pay for that. 

Whitefish is one of the few municipalities in the state that do not pay council members. 

Columbia Falls pays council members $2,400 annually and the mayor gets $4,800. 

Kalispell pays council members $5,000 annually and the mayor $9,000, along with a stipend and free medical and dental coverage. 

Whitefish Council is expected to direct staff on changes to compensation so that it would be placed on the ballot for the next election. 

Also during the work session, Council will discuss a potential change regarding the property tax relief that comes from resort tax collections. Since the tax began in 1995, 25% of the tax has been allocated to property tax relief. 

The question has been raised as to whether all property owners within the city should receive the 25% relief because of the increase in second homeowners and property values since the tax began. 

“The wealthiest of the property-owning constituents receive the greatest benefit in property tax relief,” staff notes in a memo.

The state has a Property Tax Rebate program that property owners can apply for and can qualify for based on certain criteria. A similar program could be implemented in Whitefish, but would be labor intensive to certify each application and process refunds, thus requiring an additional staff position. 

Another option would be to reduce the property tax relief for those that are not year-round residents. A flat property tax relief amount would also address the disparity. A reduction in the percentage of relief would potentially provide more benefit to non-property owning full-time residents and visitors as well as property owners through additional programs. 

If maintaining the 25% relief for property-owning full-time residents is the priority, it will require guidance for criteria and funding for its administration, staff notes. 

Features Editor Heidi Desch may be reached at 758-4421 or hdesch@dailyinterlake.com.