Planning Commission

WHITEFISH COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BOARD February 15th, 2024 6:00 P.M. A. CALL TO ORDER Whitney Beckham called the regular mee�ng of the WCDB to order. Board members present were Phil Boland, Jon Heberling, John Middleton, and Toby Scot. Steve Qunell and Scot Wurster were absent. Staff present was Senior Planner Wendy Compton-Ring, Planning Director David Taylor, Long Range Planner Alan Tiefenbach, and Legal Assistant Bree James. There were approximately 17 people atending in addi�on to the Board members and staff. B. AGENDA CHANGES None C. APPROVAL OF THE JANUARY 18TH, 2024 MINUTES Boland made a mo�on, seconded by Middleton to approve the minutes. The mo�on passed unanimously. D. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC (items not on the agenda) None E. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None F. PUBLIC HEARINGS: WCUP 24-01 & WPP 24-01 A request by Series Member IO2.5<3, LLC is requesting conditional use permit and preliminary plat for a nine (9) lot subdivision (three 2-unit townhouses and one 3-unit townhouse). The property is currently undeveloped and is zoned WR-4/WPUD (High-Density Multi-Family Residential with a Planned Unit Development overlay). The property is located at 2041 River Lakes Parkway and can be legally described as Lot 3, Riverside Senior Living Center in S8, T30N, R22W, P.M.M., Flathead County. Senior Planner Compton-Ring reviewed her staff reports, findings and condi�ons of approval. As of the wri�ng of the staff reports, addi�onal public comments were received, and staff provided them to the Board. Staff recommended adop�on of the findings of fact within staff report WCUP 24-01 and WPP24-01 for approval of the preliminary plat for a nine (9) lot subdivision. COMMUNICATION FROM BOARD Scot asked staff about the building on top of the wetlands, and Compton-Ring explained they would be doing a 2:1 replacement of a small por�on of a small wetland, as is permited by the City’s regula�ons. Whitefish Community Development Board 1 February 15, 2024 Boland asked if this subdivision would be part of the larger Lakes HOA which Compton-Ring replied the applicant would need to answer that ques�on. Vice Chair Beckham opened the public hearing. COMMUNICATION FROM APPLICANT/AGENCIES The applicant, Cate Walker from Northwest Design at 940 Spokane, Suite 3, summarized the project and noted the maximum density in the WR-4 zoning district. Scot asked for confirma�on on the 9 units which Walker explained had been decreased from the diagram in the wetland study. Boland ques�oned the driveway access, which Walker explained any changes would need to go through the Public Works Department and Fire Department. Heberling men�oned the trees currently on the property and Walker stated they were planning to keep all the trees. COMMUNICATION FROM PUBLIC Missy Jonson, 3064 River Lakes Drive, had ques�ons about the number of bedrooms, where the garages would be facing, addi�onal parking loca�ons, the traffic impact from this development, and the irriga�on system. She has a strong concern about the pond and wildlife area and if an environmental study had been done. John Lewison, 3069 River Lakes Drive, had ques�ons about the Army Corps of Engineers permi�ng and wondered what the rush was to build these. He also brought up concerns about absentee landlords, building on the wetlands when there are 10,000 birds on the pond and other agency permits. Jay Hewit, 5004 Tumblehome Avenue, has concerns about condos fi�ng in this neighborhood and absentee landlords. Julie Hankinson, 3015 River Lakes Drive, is worried about the access to the condos as well as addi�onal parking. Steve Harris, 3017 River Lakes Drive, is asking the Board to consider the addi�onal parking when sport ac�vi�es are happening at Smith Fields and only having 1 way to get all the traffic out to the highway. Julie Lauritzen, 3053 River Lakes Drive, is concerned about conges�on on the corners at River Lakes Parkway where trailers are already le� at different �mes during spor�ng events. She is also unclear about the park planned on the back side of the storm pond and how this subdivision will �e into the plan. Mary Collins, 3002 River Lakes Drive, is asking for the Board to deny this request due to the land being designated a wetland in 2019 when she believed a condi�onal use permit was denied. Property values, changing neighborhood character, parking, plans for the proposed park, and road deteriora�on are concerns she has as well. James Hartshorne, 3013 River Lakes Drive, is concerned about snow, slab on grade, building on extremely wet area, and the u�lity boxes on this property for the neighborhood internet and telephones. He is asking the Board to take into considera�on the 9th unit and where it will be built. Whitefish Community Development Board 2 February 15, 2024 Doug Peppmeier, TD& H Engineering represen�ng the applicant, responded to several ques�ons from the public. He wanted to clear up the fact that they are currently only at the condi�onal use permit and preliminary plat por�on of the development and not breaking ground tomorrow. He explained these are single family townhomes, and not condos. Scot made a mo�on, seconded by Middleton to recommend approval to the Council and adopt findings of fact along with the condi�ons of approval for WCUP 24-01. Middleton made a mo�on, seconded by Scot to recommend approval to the Council and adopt findings of fact along with the condi�onal of approval for WPP 24-01. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE BOARD Scot asked what the number of units are for a use by right for this property, the forward-facing garages, the HOA, and posts on the road. Compton-Ring explained the zoning permits up to 21 townhouses per acre, the HOA would likely be separate, they didn’t want the front doors on the units to be hidden and it appears from the drawings that the posts into the subdivision will be maintained. Staff reports, documents, and any applica�on details the Board has access to are made available to the public at the �me of public no�ce on the City’s webpage and the staff report is also available on the website a week ahead of �me. Heberling is concerned about affordable housing and issues brought up being addressed later in the planning process. Scot asked staff about the affordable housing issue which Compton-Ring explained they were not obligated to provide any. Beckham asked for an explana�on about the subdivision within a subdivision ques�on brought up by the public and Compton-Ring explained there is no limita�on other than mee�ng the zoning and subdivision requirements. Beckham commented about traffic issues no�ng they are more widespread to Whitefish as a whole and cannot be atributed to one development. She encouraged the public to keep coming and expressing their concerns. Middleton ques�oned the origin of the original lawsuit and reminded everyone the state sided with the applicant. Heberling ques�oned if staff could deny this permit based on not offering affordable housing and staff responded no. MOTION AND VOTE The mo�on on WCUP 24-01, and WPP 24-01, voted on separately, carried on a 4 to 1 vote, Heberling vo�ng in opposi�on of both. G. GOOD AND WELFARE Maters from Board Whitefish Community Development Board 3 February 15, 2024  None Maters from Staff None Poll of Board Members available for the next mee�ng. All Board members present indicated they would be at the March 21, 2024, mee�ng at 6:00 p.m. Beckham adjourned the mee�ng at 7:10 p.m. Whitefish Community Development Board 4 February 15, 2024