Mountain Gateway residential and commercial development goes before planning board
This rendering shows a large housing development proposed at the intersection of Big Mountain Road and East Lakeshore Drive. The proposal is being considered by the Whitefish City Council.
A large-scale residential and commercial development straddling Big Mountain Road is set to go before the Whitefish Planning Board on Thursday, Oct. 21.
The planning board meets at 6 p.m. at City Hall.
Developers behind the Mountain Gateway project are requesting a planned unit development and conditional zoning for the project that is proposed to include 318 residential units.
The residential PUD would allow for the construction of 318 housing units on the 32.7 acres on the north side of Big Mountain Road and East Lakeshore Drive intersection.
On the west side of Big Mountain Road, a 270-unit rental community with 460 parking spaces is proposed. Two buildings with common open space are proposed to be clustered in the center of the property.
Two vehicle access points would be via Big Mountain Road and one would be on East Lakeshore Drive near the north end of the project to access the apartments.
There is proposed to be 8.85 acres of open space with two acres developed and the remaining left in its natural state.
A trail would run along the west side of Big Mountain Road connecting to the existing Wisconsin Avenue bike path on the south end.
On the east side of Big Mountain Road, the project proposes 24 condo units at the north end and 24 townhouse units in the central portion with access off Big Mountain Road.
A new internal street would also be constructed connecting East Lakeshore Drive to Big Mountain.
This area would include about 2 acres of open space with less than a half-acre developed.
At the northeast corner of the intersection, the developer is proposing a neighborhood commercial development with access off East Lakeshore Drive. Related to this, the developer has requested conditional zoning to rezone the property into blended zoning.
The developer is asking that permitted uses include a home daycare, financial institutions and professional services, private and commercial recreation facilities, professional offices, public utility buildings, parks and playgrounds, multifamily residential, restaurants, retail sales and services and vendors. Conditionally permitted uses would include bars/lounges, daycare centers, microbreweries and microdistilleries and schools.
On the east side of Big Mountain Road, the developer has set aside a location for a SNOW bus stop.
On the west side of Big Mountain Road, the plans to dedicate 1.5 acres for a future fire station.
At the intersection of East Lakeshore Drive and Big Mountain Road, the developer is proposing to install a roundabout.
The developer is voluntarily participating in the city’s Legacy Homes Program providing 32 deed-restricted affordable rental units.
By providing the housing and the land for the fire station, the developer is seeking a zoning deviation that would allow for four stories within the 40-foot building height limit for portions of the multi-family buildings. The standard is three stories.
Ahead of Thursday’s meeting, the city received more than 180 letters regarding the project with most of them speaking against the plan.
In the planning staff report, it was noted that due to the number of letters staff was unable to summarize all the comments, but “It is fair to state that there is little support for this project.”
Many of the comments express concerns about the density of the project including the impact it would have on traffic. Some also point out that allowing commercial development in the area will permanently change the character of the area.
In a letter speaking against the project, Roger Achaetel said the project is at odds with the vision of Whitefish.
“This project if completed will result in great harm to the Whitefish community,” he said. “The traffic congestion, the environmental effects and impact to the quality of life in Whitefish will be incalculable.”
In a letter, Thomas Brandy said Whitefish values its small-town feel.
“Does the Whitefish planning and City Council members realistically think that Whitefish can withstand a significant development such as this without radically transforming the town?” he said.
Developers involved in the project include Will MacDonald; James Barnett; Craig Denman of Denman Construction; Sean Averill of Averill Hospitality, which owns the Firebrand and The Lodge at Whitefish Lake; and Matthew Fritter of American Residential Investment Management.
The land is owned by Joe Gregory, who also owns the Krummholz Lodge.
Also on the planning board agenda, the board will look at zoning code amendments related to marijuana facilities.
Marijuana sales would be administrative conditional uses in the WB-1, WB-2, WB-3 commercial zones, as well as the industrial zones.
Manufacturing and testing facilities would be allowed in industrial zones and the WB-2.
Outdoor cultivation would be permitted where agricultural uses are currently permitted, subject to state requirements such as screening from public view.