Board recommends mixed-use building plan for O'Brien Ave.

Despite concerns over parking issues, the Whitefish Planning Board has recommended approval for a conditional use permit to develop a six-unit mixed-use building on O’Brien Avenue.

The proposal, brought forth by 124 O’Brien Lot LLC, calls for six residential units on the building’s second and third floors, with two small commercial spaces on the ground floor.

The board on July 19 voted 5-1 in favor of approval. Board member Rebecca Norton voted against the request.

A conditional use permit is required for the project because the applicant is proposing a multi-family building in excess of four dwelling units.

Norton cited concerns over a lack of parking as well as a worry the height of the building wouldn’t match the rest of the area.

“With the two previous structures that we approved through this board and then on to Council, the parking issues were not the same. It was very straightforward, and we actually didn’t get any push back at all that I can remember on those projects,” Norton said. “I just don’t really see the public benefit.”

Norton initially moved to deny the proposal, but that motion failed 5-1. A motion to approve the project passed immediately after.

The developers, Chris and Natasha Ostrom, said they’re already going above the four required parking spaces to provide eight for the building.

The goal is to make something that works and that they’re proud of, Natasha said.

“We can build a building from one property line to the next, and it could have four parking spaces in the back and four residential units, but we wanted to build a better building, and this is a better building that gives more parking spaces than what’s required and it’s off the property line,” she said. “We really tried to listen to a lot of public comments. I don’t want to build a bad building. I want it to be gorgeous.”

However, neighbors and nearby business owners weren’t convinced.

Rita Hansen claimed the two retail spaces on the ground floor are going to require more parking as soon as employees come into the picture.

“When you have retail space, you have employees, so therefore if you have two retail spaces you have a minimum of two employees, and if you have more employees, you need more parking,” she said.

Board chair Steve Qunell said while he understands the parking concerns, it isn’t fair to the developer to ask them to solve the entire area’s problems.

“I get the parking issue, I really do. I understand it, I’m one of those people who cut through that neighborhood as frequently as I can because I hate sitting in traffic at the corner of Baker Avenue and Second Street,” he said. “The question I have is can we limit someone’s use to develop their property because of a parking issue in the neighborhood? And the answer, pretty clearly, is no.”

In addition, Qunell said the developer is going above and beyond what’s required to deliver a solid development project.

“It’s hard for me to say we have to leave it at four [spaces] when we have a project that does a little better than what could be done there, and that’s ultimately what we have to decide. Is the developer giving us something in return for us allowing them to go a little bit farther than what is allowed? And to be honest I think this one is better,” he said.

The proposal is set to go before City Council for a public hearing and vote on Aug. 20.