Live tree removal along Whitefish lakeshore denied by council

Averill Hospitality recently sought city approval to remove a live, large tree on the Lodge at Whitefish Lake property because they felt it was unsightly and difficult to maintain.

However, the Whitefish City Council last week heeded the recommendation of the Lakeshore Protection Committee and denied Averill Hospitality’s minor variance request to remove the tree. The tree is said to be a golden willow, which likely isn’t native to the area, and stands within the Whitefish Lakeshore Protection zone.

Though at the meeting a representative for the Averills suggested they could plant native aspen trees in the location of the current willow, the request still didn’t meet the city’s criteria needed for approval. According to the staff report, in order for a minor variance to be granted, there are four criteria that must be met. City staff and council agreed that the removal of this tree met only one of them — there would be minimal environmental impact because the applicant would plant replacement trees.

The other three criteria were not met, however. That includes there is no hardship if the tree stays, there is no general public benefit from the tree’s removal and there are reasonable alternatives to removing the tree. The Lakeshore Protection Committee reviewed it prior to Council and found this application did not meet the criteria.

Councilor Steve Qunell was concerned new trees planted in the same area as the willow may not become established, which could leave no trees at the location. He said an option is to plant native aspen trees and when they are settled and thriving, the company could apply again to remove the willow.

All trees with a minimum 3-inch diameter, when measured 8 inches up from the ground, are to be protected according to the Whitefish Lakeshore Protection Regulations. The golden willow tree in question meets that requirement and has a 40-foot crown and is considered to be non-native.

Previous discussions that evening revolved around lakeshore regulations, particularly as they relate to native and non-native species and whether they fit with Whitefish’s vision for the area. One case involved gravel placement over a non-native lawn and the willow tree was the second agenda item of the night dealing with the preservation and health of the lakeshore.

Stirred by these discussions, Councilor Frank Sweeney suggested reviewing cases wherein the regulations, “were inconsistent with what we really want and what the lakeshore really needs.”

“Clearly somebody wants to put in a native versus a non-native, and we’re saying we cannot do that under our current regulations,” Sweeney said.

Planning and Building Director Dave Taylor said they are currently working on lakeshore regulations updates and reminded council that there are issues with removing vegetation in the lakeshore protection zone; it disturbs the lakeshore when a tree is removed. He warned Sweeney to be cautious with the regulations or people may try to get rid of all their non-native trees.

“We require all trees to be maintained because there’s a mix all along the lakeshore — a mix of native and non-native trees everywhere,” Taylor said.

Averill Hospitality also had three standard requests but one for a patio was rescinded at the council meeting. Council approved the other two which included construction of stairs through existing riprap and the placement of beach gravel on the property.