Haugen Heights subdivision OK'd

A new subdivision in the Old Town neighborhood has been given the green light.

Whitefish City Council unanimously approved a preliminary plat for the Timber Ridge development. The 15-lot subdivision is on about 4 acres off Haugen Heights Road west of town.

The developers from Lethbridge, Alberta, are planning a mix of single-family and townhouse lots. Eight lots on the west side of Icehouse Terrace will be single-family and seven lots on the east side will be either single-family or townhouse lots. If the future owner of a lot on the east side of Icehouse Terrace proposes a townhouse, they will be required to come back to the city for further subdivision review.

The neighborhood is outside of city limits, but city water and sewer will be extended to the property and the development will be annexed.

Access to the subdivision will be from Haugen Heights Road and Lake Park Lane. A sidewalk is planned for Haugen Heights and Lake Park will be paved.

Developers are planning to pay cash in lieu of the required 0.45 acre parkland dedication. This proved to be a sticking point for some nearby residents.

Lake Park Lane resident Kathleen Harding gathered signatures from her neighbors in support of creating the park.

“We want to conserve open space,” she said. “It’s vital for our neighborhood.”

City planner Wendy Compton-Ring notes that the city typically takes cash in lieu of parkland when the open space is less than 10,000 square feet.

City Manager Chuck Stearns added that the city struggles to develop and maintain small parks.

“When parks become empty lots with weeds, it’s not the park they envisioned,” he said.