Tiny house development planned

A new condominium development inspired by the tiny house trend is proposed for the west side of Whitefish.

Garth Bokisch, of GMJ LLC, received a recommendation of approval from the Whitefish Planning Board on Thursday for a 12-condominium cabin neighborhood on Nelson Lane off Highway 93 West.

The cabins, which Bokisch said were inspired by “tiny homes,” would be single story and have building footprints between 600-1,100 square feet. Eleven new units would be built, in addition to an existing family home that would act as the 12th unit.

The cabins would be individually owned and rented and would have two parking spots and laundry facilities for each unit. Three guest parking spaces will also be available off Nelson Lane.

Concerns from the board arose over emergency service accessibility on the narrow, unpaved Nelson Lane, which is privately owned. Additionally, an owner cannot be found for a 26.5 foot piece of land adjacent to Nelson Lane that the developer wants to use as a part of the road. The board recommended the developer obtain legal right of the unclaimed land.

The board added conditions for the project to undergo an architectural review and to plant trees on the south boundary of Nelson Lane.

The proposal is set to go before City Council on July 5.