New subdivision planned on Haugen Heights

A proposal for a new subdivision on the west side of Whitefish will go to city council without a recommendation for approval or denial from the City-County Planning Board.

The developers from Lethbridge, Alberta are planning the 15-lot Timber Ridge subdivision on 4 acres off Haugen Heights Road in the Old Town neighborhood. The property is zoned as WR-2, which allows for single-family homes and townhouses.

The planning board June 19 voted 4-2 against a motion for approval before voting again 3-3 to recommend denial. Council will review the preliminary plat July 7.

City water and sewer will be extended to the property and the development will be annexed into the city after approval of the preliminary plat.

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 parkland dedication.

It is estimated the subdivision will generate about 144 vehicle trips per day.

Board member Ken Stein’s biggest concern was the increased traffic the subdivision would add to State Park Road.

“It’s a mess and its narrow,” he said of the road.

Board member Scott Wurster originally proposed the subdivision be kept all single-family, despite it being in the WR-2 zone.

Vic Workman said it would be inappropriate for the board to take away the property owner’s ability to build townhouses.

“They bought the ground with the understanding they could develop it with the zoning that is there,” Workman said.

The board voted to deny the proposal to keep the neighborhood single-family.

One neighbor to the project voiced concerns about the lack of parkland.

Katherine Harding lives on the north side of the subdivision. She said children often play in the street in the neighborhood and that she would like to see the developers set aside some open space.

“I really think it’s important for the future that we have parklands in our subdivisions,” she said.

• The City-County Planning Board unanimously voted June 19 to recommend denial of a conditional use permit for an accessory apartment at 728 Columbia Ave.

• Diane Smith resigned from the planning board, leaving open one county-appointed seat. If the county doesn’t appoint a new member within an allotted time, the city can appoint a “doughnut” resident to fill the seat.