Highway 93 land use plan pulled from Council agenda

Developers involved with a proposed land use plan for 70 acres along U.S. Highway 93 South last week asked for the item to be pulled from Monday’s City Council agenda.

The developer asked that item be moved to Aug. 6, according to City Manager Adam Hammatt.

Whitefish 57 LLC and Eagle Enterprises are requesting a subarea plan that includes 70 acres fronting U.S. Highway 93 South between JP Road and Park Knoll Lane. The developer is requesting both commercial and residential development on the property.

The developer is asking for 21.5 acres to be designated as urban residential, which city zoning codes describe as for traditional neighborhoods that are mostly one and two-family residential, but could include lower density multi-family housing, for the entire center portion of the plan area that is currently listed as suburban. The plan also includes about 12 acres to be set as commercial for the portion of the properties fronting the highway.

Public comment before Council on July 2 concerning the plan drew a split from those who think the project would have adverse impacts to the adjoining neighborhoods and from those saying the plan would provide critical affordable workforce housing for Whitefish.