Council approves removal of cabin from lakeshore protection zone
The cabin planned to be moved from along Whitefish Lake in Monk's Bay is seen in a photo included in the Whitefish City Council packet.
The owner of a cabin constructed along the shore of Whitefish Lake has obtained permission from the city of Whitefish to move the structure.
City Council July 16 approved a lakeshore construction permit for Glacier Ranch Holdings to remove an existing reconstructed cabin and an outhouse from the lakeshore protection and water quality protection zones along Monk’s Bay of the lake. The owner will also be allowed to remove one tree from the lakeshore protection zone, if necessary, and re-vegetate in the lakeshore zone after the work is complete.
Glacier Ranch Holdings recently applied to the city for a permit to move the cabin and asked to remove one tree in the lakeshore zone to facilitate the move. The cabin, about 400-square-feet in size, was originally built in 1940, but was recently reconstructed.
The city’s Lakeshore Protection Committee in June recommended approval of the application to Council, but with the condition that no trees be removed.
The owner measured the available distance between trees to move the structure and found that there is about one foot available space compared to the width of the building. Thus, the owner said they would be wiling to attempt moving the cabin without removing the trees, but requested the opportunity to remove the tree if it became necessary, according to city Planner Bailey Minnich.
“The owner has concerns that it damaging the tree may become unavoidable,” Minnich said. “Staff could approve the removal of the tree or they could bring it back to Council if they have to remove the tree.”
Council voted to allow the owner to remove the tree, if it becomes necessary, and notify city staff prior to removal. Staff would visit the site to verify the need to remove the tree.
Councilor Andy Feury said the loss of one tree along the lake would be disappointing, but it’s important to remove the cabin.
“The overall big goal here is to get that building out of the lakeshore protection zone,” he said. “My guess is they’re going to do everything they can to keep that tree. Anybody that has been by that building on the lake, knows it needs to go.”
The permit also allows the owner to remove three trees from the water quality protection zone to allow for use of equipment required to move the cabin. A stone foundation in the water out of the lakeshore protection zone will also be removed.
Under city regulations, the lakeshore protection zone includes the lake, the lakehsore and all land within 20 horizontal feet of the average high water line.
Mayor John Muhlfeld said removing the cabin is “great outcome for both the city and the property owner.”
The cabin, along with other work on the property off East Lakeshore Drive, has for sometime raised concerns from neighbors over whether it was following city lakeshore regulations.
The 11-acre lakeshore tract south of East Lakeshore Drive where work has been taking place is owned by Joe Gregory.
The owner previously applied to Flathead County for a lakeshore construction permit to repair three structures — a boat house, and outdoor gazebo and the cabin. The permit was granted, however, issues with the work later led to the county to issue a stop work order.
In November 2017, Whitefish annexed the property into the city and issued a stop work order after determining a floodplain permit had not been applied for.
Since then the city has been working with owner to find a solution to the issue.
Conceptual plans for the property, along with another 27 acres on both sides of Big Mountain Road, have been floated to include a lakeshore lodge with residential development and other buildings. No plans currently have been submitted to the city for the properties.