New building planned in Railway District

A new three-story building that will house a mix of office and retail space, and residential units is planned for a vacant lot on East Second Street near downtown Whitefish.

Columbia Falls developer Mark Panissidi is requesting a conditional use permit for the 2nd Street Lofts. The permit is required because the building will have more than four dwelling units and the building footprint exceeds 7,500 square feet, more than allowed in the Railway District.

According to a planning staff report, the building at 214 East Second St., will offer office and retail space on the first floor fronting Second, and two live-work units fronting O’Brien Avenue. The second and third floors will include 13 residential units.

Four single-car garage spaces will be in the main building, along with 13 carport spaces. Access to the property will be from O’Brien. A traffic engineer estimates the building will generate about 150 trips per day.

Planning staff is recommending approval of the project with 11 conditions.

The Whitefish Planning Board will hold a public hearing on the project Thursday, Nov. 19. City Council will take final action at its Dec. 7 meeting.