Planning board recommends restaurant for former Stumptown Marketplace

The Whitefish Planning Board on Thursday gave a positive recommendation for a proposed beer and wine bar to operate as part of a restaurant in the former Stumptown Marketplace.

Marissa Keenan is requesting a conditional use permit to operate a bar selling beer and wine as associated with a new restaurant planned to use the entire building at Spokane Avenue.

“I’m excited that something is going into the Stumptown Marketplace,” planning board member Whitney Beckham.

The board gave a unanimous recommendation for the request, which is set to go before City Council for a vote on June 7.

Under city zoning code, a CUP is required for the business since it has a retail on-premises beer and wine license. A restaurant and beer wine license would be exempt from CUP requirements.

The plan is to create a restaurant featuring small unique plates as well as wine and beer served by the glass and bottle, according to the application with the city. The restaurant would also use the existing outdoor patio seating area in the alley for customers.

The business also plans to sell retail package sales of beer and wine, according to the application with the city. Proposed hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

Keenan is a co-owner of Sweet Peaks Ice Cream and Wild Coffee Company in downtown Whitefish.

Stumptown Marketplace had previously been a market with several tenants operating retail and food businesses inside.

The board also voted to recommend two separate CUP for accessory apartments.

Brian and Mariah Joos are requesting a CUP to construct an accessory apartment as part of a new single-family home at 312 Kalispell Avenue. The current home on the property will be removed.

Paul Preston is requesting a conditional use permit to construct an accessory apartment above a new two-car garage at 41 Kalispell Avenue. The property currently has a single-family home and carport that will be removed.