City looks to cap vendors on Whitefish Lake

After complaints of commercial boats circling the water off City Beach last summer, Whitefish has decided to take steps toward regulating the number of vendors allowed on Whitefish Lake.

Council on April 6 directed city staff to research drafting a resolution that would allow for regulating sales on the lake. Council held two work sessions before creating a working group last fall to take a detailed look at the issue.

“The general consensus of the group was that the city’s ability to regulate commercial activity on Whitefish Lake could most effectively be managed through the implementation of business licensing, commercial boat launching permits, and through the city’s lake access,” said Maria Butts, city parks and recreation director.

Complaints about a lack of parking and congestion at the City Beach boat launch have been expressed, as well

Council decided it wants to manage commercial activity on and around the water through city business licenses and vendor permits. That could include capping the number of businesses on the water and establishing guidelines for operation.

Council wants a 200-foot buffer created off of the City Beach shore where commercial activity would not be allowed.

“The intent behind this is safety,” councilor Jen Frandsen said. “To minimize congestion it would be preferable not to have commercial activity within 200 feet of the boat launch and swimming area.”

Council also is asking for an increase in the commercial rate for a City Beach launch permit, but it did not specify an amount. In addition, council asked that a brochure detailing regulations for commercial operation be handed out with commercial launch permits.

For business signs, council said it would like to limit signs to sandwich-board size.

Council quickly dismissed the idea of limiting parking time near City Beach.

Councilor Andy Feury said boaters aren’t going to come to shore every two hours to move their vehicle.

“Limiting the parking time creates more congestion at the dock when they come in to move their car,” he said.

However, councilors did say the city needs to continue to study ways to expand parking in the City Beach area.

Staff will draft a resolution based upon the council’s priorities and further research the legality of the regulations. The final resolution will return to council for a vote.

Council asked how enforcement of the regulations would work and if Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks would enforce the city’s rules.

“We can have every rule known to man, but enforcing it is another issue,” Police Chief Bill Dial said. “We’re the only city in the state that has a lake in its city limits — so this in new territory. We’re looking at five different agencies. The police department and Fish, Wildlife and Parks will do what we can.”