Planning board looks at creating new zoning district

The Whitefish Planning Board during its meeting on Thursday will hold two public hearings.

The planning board meets at 6 p.m. at the City Council Chambers, 418 E 2nd Street, Whitefish.

Among the agenda items, the board will consider a request from the city to amend Whitefish’s zoning regulations by adding a new district called WB-T representing the business transitional district. This addition to the regulations is in direct response to the recently adopted Highway 93 South Corridor Plan.

The intention behind adding the new zoning district is to provide a performance-based, mixed-use transitional environment in the area that serves as a gateway to the community, according to the staff report.

The new Highway 93 South Corridor Plan calls for the creation of a transitional district for the area south of Highway 40, and the new zoning district would guide new development in the area. Currently the area of Highway 93 south of Highway 40 is zoned B-4, secondary business under Flathead County regulations.

The uses in the secondary business district in the county include but are not limited to, retail sales and service operations that typically need large display or parking areas, or large storage areas.

The new WB-T district would likely include businesses such as professional offices, medical facilities, and light commercial, manufacturing and assembly. It would also allow for residential uses and mixed-use development.

Also on the agenda is a request by Richard Lewis for a conditional use permit to construct an accessory apartment over a new garage at 800 West Seventh Street.

Both items will go before City Council on Feb. 7.