Growth policy big topic with Community Development Board

The Whitefish Community Development Board denied a request for a parking variance and recommended approval for some city housekeeping tasks at its meeting last week.  

The board also held a work session to discuss the growth policy update, Vision Whitefish 2024. 

Ford Scott requested a variance to the city’s off-street parking requirements to use two leased parking spots off-site instead of the onsite parking space that is required for a second-floor residential space above commercial in the WB-3 zone.  

The building is located at 300 East Second Street, where Loula’s is currently operating on the ground floor. The second floor was recently used by a school. 

“In the application they state that they intend to use the unit for long term rentals but that zoning district, the WB-3, does allow short-term rentals,” said Planning Director David Taylor. 

He added that one of the requirements for short-term rentals is that all off-street parking spaces are required to be on site. 

Taylor found that reasonable use of the property would not be hindered by strict compliance with the regulations. He said it is a commercial building and has operated as such for years. 

“In my time with the city, 17 years, I’ve never seen a parking variance granted,” Taylor said. “Not that one couldn’t be, if someone could show that they have a hardship, but it’s just not something that other buildings downtown have.” 

Scott, the applicant, said the plan is to convert the second floor into one large residential unit, not multiple units. 

“We do believe that residential is the highest and best use for this location,” he said. “Loula’s has been there 20 years, there’s been a constant turnover on the second floor.” 

He claimed the second floor is not a commercial space and said the building needs a lot of work.  

Board member Toby Scott asked if the applicant was planning to rent it by the month and was answered in the affirmative. The four-bedroom unit would be rented along with two rental cars. 

Four comments were submitted in writing to support the variance and two people spoke in favor during public comment, including the current owner of the space. 

Staff recommended denial of the variance and the board voted unanimously to deny the request. 

“I think there are too many regulations we cannot square with this,” Beckham said. “Even though you’ve really thought outside of the box and it seems to be a good placement for that, doesn’t mean we can go outside of these regulations.” 

THE BOARD also addressed housekeeping changes to city code to allow bulletin boards, clarify flag clearances, clarify ground mounted sign clear vision triangle setbacks, revise and clarify “A-frame” sign standards downtown and allow for public park freestanding monument signs in residential districts. 

One change allows 12-square-foot bulletin boards outside restaurants, bars and lounges and grocery stores to help advertise upcoming events. Language was also added requiring the bulletin boards to be kept tidy. 

The height of allowable flags over streets and sidewalks was clarified to say the clearance height is measured from the lowest point of a slack hanging flag to the ground surface. 

Taylor said there was a discrepancy in the code for clear vision triangles for free-standing signs. The text said one thing and the graphic, another. That has been rectified. 

Regarding A-frame signs, or sandwich boards, Taylor said the code has not been enforceable, so it was necessary to fix it. 

“Right now, it says that you’re allowed one A-frame sign per developed sight, but we don’t define what ‘developed site’ is in the code,” Taylor said. “There were a lot of questions with that, so this would clarify it.” 

The change would allow for one A-frame sign per storefront street-level entrance. There must be four feet of clearance around the sign for people to pass and the sign must be placed within 15 feet of the entrance. Several other additions were made to the A-frame requirements. 

The maximum size of park monument signs was increased. 

There was no public comment, and the board voted unanimously to recommend the amendments. 

This matter is scheduled to be heard at the Whitefish City Council meeting on Nov. 4. 

CITY PLANNER Alan Tiefenbach presented the Community History chapter of the growth policy at the work session. He said he used several sources for the history section of the plan.  

“I read the entire book, 'Stump Town to Ski Town,' I went through all of the minutes [from the city,] starting from 1980 to the present, scanning through them, looking for major events to get some of the timelines right,” he said. “It’s been through the department, so people have weighed in on it and made their corrections internally.” 

Board Vice Chair Whitney Beckham said it was succinct and reads well. She appreciated the work’s positive tone.  

Board member Jon Heberling did some wordsmithing and suggested changes.  

There was no public comment at the work session. 

Beckham led the meeting in the absence of Chair Steve Qunell. Board member John Middleton was absent, too. 

Taylor introduced Lauren McDonald, the new City Planner.  

“We're really happy to have her on board,” he said.  

Taylor said the city also hired a resiliency planner who started working last week. She will be tasked with affordable housing, economic development and multi modal transportation. He described the position as an expanded housing coordinator planner.