Development Board addresses setback for solar, airport code ambiguity

The Community Development Board approved a setback variance and recommended approval of a permit and a text amendment last week. 

The Flathead Electric Co-op requested a setback variance of about 10 feet to develop the Community Solar project at 350 Monegan Road.  

The property is currently the location of the wastewater treatment facility and the parks maintenance facility. A shared-use path skirts the northern and western portions of the property. 

The city of Whitefish identified the location as a good spot for a solar farm in 2019 and entered into an agreement with the Flathead Electric Co-op in 2022 for two rows of seven arrays of solar panels. 

Ashley Schmidt with the Flathead Electric Cooperative, explained room was needed for the storm drain easement. She said the Co-op may lose a USDA grant without the variance to the 50-foot setback. 

The board voted unanimously to approve the variance. 

The City of Whitefish requested a text amendment to clarify setbacks from landing strips, helipads and accessory buildings.  

In January, the city zoning administrator’s interpretation of the application of airport setbacks was found to be faulty. The result was the rescindment of a permit for a hangar at the city airport. 

It was determined an error in the code, the word “airport” was used instead of “landing strip,” caused the problem, so the amendment was deemed necessary to correct ambiguities. 

After the board voted to change “private and public property” to all property, the code was amended to read “Public and private landing strips must be located a minimum of one hundred and twenty-five feet from centerline to adjacent properties.” 

Whitefish resident Phyllis Quatman said the amendment should include buildings for public and government purposes and Kate McMahon said helicopters now land in an area that is encroaching on wetlands, and she has safety concerns.  

McMahon brought a petition signed by 20 people against the amendment.  

Corey Seemann, a pilot, said the airport is state owned for public, not commercial use, and six other members of the public voiced support for the amendment. 

The board voted to recommend the amendment by a 6-1 vote with Jon Heberling voting in opposition. 

The board voted unanimously to recommend a conditional use permit for a bar/lounge at 16 Baker Ave. Applicant Casey Malmquist requested the permit for the property, a mixed-use condominium building with commercial on the ground floor and two residential units upstairs. 

These two items are scheduled to be heard by the Whitefish City Council on May 5. 

Vice Chair Whitney Beckham ran the meeting and Frank Sweeney sat in for Steve Qunell. Approximately 19 members of the public were in attendance.