Planning board recommends creating new transitional zoning
Cars drive along U.S. Highway 93 South just outside the city limits south of Montana 40.
The Whitefish Planning Board on Thursday unanimously recommended approval of a zone change for Whitefish's gateway area on U.S. Highway 93 south of Montana 40.
The area is currently zoned B-4 (Secondary Business District) which allows for 40 types of uses. The new zone, WB-T, is a Transitional Business District that aims to “create a buffer of low-intensity uses” as land eventually becomes annexed into the city.
Whitefish City Council will address the board’s recommendation at its Feb. 7 meeting.
According to a city staff report, the major goals for the future of this area are based in preservation. Preserve the character and small town feel of the Whitefish community, persevere the scenic vistas, and preserve rural lands and agricultural land that surround the community.
The new zoning’s intent is to blend the less busy parts of Highway 93 south of Montana 40 with the busier section immediately north of Montana 40. To achieve this, the WB-T district requires larger front setbacks and sufficient landscaping so the area appears less commercial. Additionally, limited access points consolidate the number of individual driveways, thereby increasing traffic safety.
At the meeting, board member Toby Scott questioned how businesses in the area now will be affected by the zoning change. Dave Taylor, Whitefish Panning and Building Director, explained that existing businesses are grandfathered in and will not be affected immediately by the new zoning. When they decide to annex into the city, perhaps to access city water and/or sewer, the new zoning will take effect.
Other regulations include the size of the buildings, the size of the lots, and the amount of space between buildings. One goal is to buffer residences from commercial operations.
Aside from shared driveways, sites should share parking, have landscaped buffers, and all exposed utilities, storage areas and other accessory areas should be set back from the highway in order to minimize the loss of views and retrain the beauty of the area, according to the planning staff report.
With half the board absent, the remaining four members made quick work the evening’s agenda.
The board also recommended approval of a request by Richard Lewis for an accessory dwelling unit above a garage at 800 West Seventh St.
After the apartment matter was discussed, Toby Scott suggested the planning staff manage such requests so that the Board can do “more planning and less approving.”
The board also briefly mentioned that eight marijuana business are filing for permits. The group questioned if Whitefish can support nine marijuana businesses.
The next Planning Board meeting is Feb. 17.