Whitefish Council examines rescinding airport hangar permit

Whitefish on Tuesday will determine whether to revoke a permit allowing for a private hanger to be constructed as part of an expansion to the Whitefish Airport.  

City Council in July approved the conditional use permit, but part of the permit requires compliance with city codes and ordinances. The Whitefish Community Development Board in January determined that the hangar is not in compliance.  

Council meets on Tuesday because of the Presidents’ Day holiday on Monday. The meeting begins at 7:10 p.m. at City Hall, 418 E. Second St. 

Following the initial approval, last fall attorney Don Murray submitted a letter of appeal, on behalf of Robert Horne, Kathleen McMahon, Jack and Phyllis Quatman, contending that the zoning administrator made an error in interpreting the code allowing for the hanger. They asserted that a 300-foot setback should have been applied to the hangar instead of a 20-foot setback that was required, according to a memo to Council from Planning Director Dave Taylor.  

The development board agreed with the appeal. Now that a 300-foot setback is being applied to all accessory buildings at the airport, the site plan submitted as part of the application for the permit is no longer in compliance with the zoning code, Taylor notes.  

A notice was issued to the applicant William McKinney that the permit has been suspended pending a decision by Council.  

After holding a public hearing, Council is set to determine if the suspension should be lifted or the permit revoked.  

Also on the agenda, Council will hold a public hearing regarding amending a preliminary plat for Whitetail Ridge subdivision. The change would allow for tree removal within building envelopes on individual lots while also clearing the rights-of-way.  

The developer of the 73-lot subdivision is working toward meeting conditions of approval and installing infrastructure, according to a city memo, and requested the change.  

During a work session at 5:30 p.m., Council will review the city’s ethics policy and its social media policy. Public comment will be taken on both before Council provides direction to the city manager.  

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