Firebrand Hotel applies to install rooftop hot tub

The developer of the Firebrand Hotel is attempting to get permission from the city for a rooftop hot tub at the hotel.

Whitefish Hotel Group constructed the $10 million 86-room lodging facility at the corner of Spokane Avenue and Second Street. The hotel opened in August.

The hotel is asking the Whitefish Planning Board to consider amending a condition of the hotel’s conditional use permit to install a hot tub on the roof’s patio. This is the third time the hotel has requested the city allow it to install a hot tub. The board will hold a public hearing on the request on Oct. 20.

City planning staff is recommending denial of the request.

City Council in February 2015 approved the conditional use permit for the hotel. At the time, a condition was added that stipulated that nothing other than a patio could be built on the roof. A rooftop bar was also turned down.

At the time, neighbors voiced concerns related to activities on the roof.

“Residents noted how noise from nearby restaurants and bars infiltrate adjacent neighborhoods and the location of the hotel, even closer to the residential neighborhood, could be more intrusive,” a planning staff report notes.

The planning department discovered during the construction process that there were plans to install a hot tub on the roof of the hotel and notified the owner that only a patio was permitted.

Planning Director Dave Taylor, the city’s zoning administrator, in February denied the hot tub after the developer requested an official zoning interpretation that a patio could also include a hot tub.

Whitefish Hotel Group then appealed Taylor’s decision to the Board of Adjustments, but was denied. The hotel group claimed the hot tub is a common amenity of a patio.

Attorney Judah Gersh, representing the hotel group, told the board at a May hearing that not having a hot tub all together “would be a serious hardship on the hotel,” adding that installing one at ground level would be worse for the neighbors.

He noted that the Downtowner Hotel nearby has outdoor hot tubs, so does The Lodge at Whitefish Lake, and there are no issues with noise because it’s important to keep it quiet for other guests.

The rooftop hot tub is proposed to be enclosed with a 5-foot glass wall on two sides and an 8-foot tall wood fence on two sides to reduce any noise toward the residential areas. The hot tub is expected to be open from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.

The city has received 11 comments in support of the request on the basis that it will “bring more business to and add value to the hotel.” Three comments not in support of the request were received citing continued concerns with noise and neighborhood impacts.

Staff is recommending denial of the request noting that the original condition that the rooftop be only used as a patio was to mitigate neighbors concerns.

“Staff does not find conditions have changed to warrant changing the condition of approval,” the staff report states. “Issues surrounding neighborhood compatibility remain an important part of preserving the character of the neighborhood and the community — especially now that the project is constructed.”

Also on the planning board agenda is a request by Cottonwood Estates for a preliminary plat for a 23-lot subdivision on 4.7 acres.

The property is located east of Colorado Avenue and north of Denver Street. It sits east across Colorado Avenue from the Stumptown Ice Den. Nine of the lots are sized to accommodate either duplex or single family homes and the remaining lots are sized to accommodate only detached single family homes.

The density over the entire site would be 4.89 to 6.81 dwelling units per acre. The development is planned for a single phase.

Planning staff is recommending approval of the subdivision.

The planning board meets Thursday, Oct. 20 at 6 p.m. at interim City Hall.