Council approves annexation, zoning requests on two properties

The Whitefish City Council employed the new zone change upon annexation process for the first time at last week's meeting. The council also approved a zone change for another property.

Almost one acre of land located at 580 Lund Lane, was annexed to the city and simultaneously rezoned from the county’s R3 zone to the city’s equivalent district, WR-1, one-family residential.

“This is the first one to come along of our new process of zoning upon annexation, wherein the annexation and the zone change from county zoning to city zoning comes together at the same time, under one public hearing for the council,” said Whitefish City Planner Dave Taylor.

In April, the council approved amendments which streamlined the annexation and zone change process. The new procedure allows an applicant to skip the planning board meeting and it also eliminates a troublesome gap between the time of annexation and rezoning.

Staff said the streamlined procedure applies mostly to people who want to annex because they want the city’s services, like in the case of the parcel on Lund Lane.

There was a condition on the zone change and annexation that the property owner dedicate a 30-foot wide public access and utility easement along their property frontage.

The request for annexation and the zone change met all the city’s criteria and staff recommended approval. There was no public comment and the council voted 5-0 in favor of approving the annexation and zone change.

Council also approved the rezoning of a small parcel west of Highway 93 and south of Park Knoll Lane. The property, 55 Hedman Lane, is currently undeveloped and surrounded by undeveloped properties.

Applicant/Owner Will MacDonald requested a 2.5-acre parcel of land be rezoned from WCR, county residential district, to WR-2, which is intended for one and two-family homes.

One concern was raised while considering the request regarding the location of the future Baker Avenue extension, but it is believed that roadway will not affect this parcel.

“What we’re hearing from Park Knoll is to really bring Baker Avenue as far east as possible just due to the topography,” MacDonald said. “We’re trying to work with them as much as we can.”

Councilor Steve Qunell asked if this parcel was adjacent to the proposed Baker Avenue extension.

“I think the Baker Avenue extension is likely going to be a little further west,” said Whitefish Senior Planner Wendy Compton-Ring. “Due to the topography of the site, that’s the most recent plan I’ve seen.”

The Whitefish Planning Board, as well as city staff, recommended approval of the zone change.

With no public comment and no further questions from council, the motion to approve the zone change carried unanimously.