Board recommends separate requests for brewery, tavern

The Whitefish Planning Board last week gave positive recommendations for two separate requests — one for a brewery expansion downtown and another to convert an existing commercial building on Highway 93 into a tavern.

Blackstar Partners LLC is requesting a conditional use permit to expand the former Great Northern Brewing Company building on Central Avenue and operate a microbrewery and restaurant there.

Bars/lounges and microbreweries require a CUP in the WB-3 zoning district and expansion of any such facilities or buildings also require a CUP.

The owner plans to remodel and expand the upstairs bar and restaurant. In addition, the owner plans to expand the operating hours — the brewery portion will continue to be open until 8 p.m., but the bar/tavern portion of the building may stay open as late as 2 a.m. per state law.

Outdoor seating on the roof is planned with a rooftop deck and service bar.

Aaron Wallace, with Montana Creative, in representing the owner said the plan is to redesign the building in part to reduce the brewing space because it’s larger than what is needed.

“The views from the roof are awesome and we wanted to provide access to that,” he noted.

Wallace said the owner of the building is working to bring a brewery in to operate there.

“They’re negotiating with a brewery on the lease,” he said. “They have great beer so everybody should be happy.”

The neon Blackstar signs on the side of the building are grandfathered in as part of the city’s sign code, but if changed the owner would have to obtain a new sign permit, Planning Director Dave Taylor noted.

The planning board voted to recommend the CUP request with 11 conditions. One of the conditions says that no outdoor live or broadcast music from the rooftop deck can occur past 10 p.m. nor can speakers be directed toward the street level.

Council will consider the request on May 4.

Goosebay Capital LLC is requesting a conditional use permit to operate a bar/tavern in an existing commercial building on Highway 93 South. The building is currently empty, but is the former location of Whitefish Marine, and is zoned WB-2.

The applicant is proposing to transfer a state beer and wine license to the property that would allow for serving beer and wine without a restaurant.

Bars and taverns require a CUP in the WB-2 zone.

Aaron Wallace, with Montana Creative, in representing the applicant, said the owner is planning to operate a restaurant out of the building also, but wanted the flexibility to serve beer and wine without food.

The site plan shows 28 parking spaces exceeding the minimum number required by zoning regulations.

The applicant is proposing a fence along the rear property line, which is adjacent to residential use, and also a fence surround the interior patio planned along the north side of the building. Landscaping will also be required as a buffer to the residential area, and is planned on the front of the building.

The request is scheduled to go before City Council on May 4.