Planning board approves changes to wall, fence rules

The Whitefish Planning Board last week voted to recommend a change to the city zoning code regarding retaining walls.

City Council previously directed city planning staff to bring forward amendments to the code to prevent large retaining walls built in setback from impacting adjacent property owners.

Planning Director Dave Taylor said some rather large retaining walls have been constructed rather close to property lines to provide egress in and out of properties.

“We’ve had complaints about that,” he said. “These revisions set a setback based upon wall height.”

Walls up to 2 feet high aren’t regulated, which are often used for landscaping.

Walls above 2 feet and up to 4 feet in height would require to meet a 6-foot setback standard.

Taller walls, up to the 8-foot maximum, would still be allowed for primary vehicle or pedestrian egress, but pedestrian access retaining walls would need to meet full building setbacks if they exceed 4 feet in height. Egress for secondary access would not qualify for the exemption.

Special exemptions would be approved by the zoning administrator for extreme topography, but only for wall height, not setbacks.

For exemptions to the setback requirement, an applicant would have to go before the Board of Adjustments.

City Council is set to look at the change on March 2.