Council approves Marriott hotel

Whitefish City Council took a dramatic turn in its decision-making July 18 when it approved a Marriott hotel that just two weeks prior it sought to deny.

Council unanimously approved a conditional use permit for a Marriott TownePlace Suites on Highway 93 South. The 81-room three-story hotel is planned for 2.66 acres of undeveloped land north of the Les Schwab tire center.

In a series of votes during the July 5 meeting, Council delayed a decision on the request, directing city staff to prepare findings that would allow for denial of the project likely based on its status as a chain hotel.

Jordan Scott of Whitefish TP LLC is planning to construct the hotel, which requires a conditional use permit because the footprint exceeds 15,000-square-feet in the WB-2 zoning district.

“We were a little beside ourselves last time and I hope we have a second chance to get your support,” Scott told Council.

That’s exactly what Council appeared to do, although no councilors commented on the vote.

Denial of the project loomed at the July 5 meeting, after Council heard from two hotel owners who said another lodging establishment would be a detriment to Whitefish. A few councilors wrestled with whether the hotel would begin a change in the character of Whitefish by opening the flood gates to even more chain businesses.

City planning staff did draft findings of fact for denial of the hotel based on its potential to have a “detrimental effect on the community in general because of an increase in traffic, an increase in usage of public infrastructure, a decrease in downtown parking and lodging in excess of that which is needed and can be supported by the community.”

Still, staff continued to recommend approval of the application.

Original plans for the Marriott were withdrawn in March after the city planning board recommended denial amid concerns over the size and height of the hotel. The plans originally called for 111 rooms and a zoning deviation to build up to 42 feet in height. The developer returned with the new design for less rooms and also moved the project from the original location south of the pond at the Mountain Mall.

The new plan calls for a footprint of 17,565 square feet, down from the 22,619 square feet that was initially proposed.

“We spent a lot of time redesigning it and moving sites,” Scott said. “We reached out to the River’s Edge neighborhood. This one building with a small footprint is much more reasonable.”

The new plan calls for a 90-space parking lot accessible through a new city street connecting Highway 93 to Whitefish Avenue, which will also provide access to the River’s Edge neighborhood.

Plans show an outdoor pool/spa area to the south and outdoor seating areas on the north and west sides of the building.

The proposal is in compliance with the city’s growth policy and zoning regulations, according to city planning staff.