Planning Commission

WHITEFISH COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BOARD February 20, 2025 6:00 PM A) CALL TO ORDER Chair Steve Qunell called the regular meeting of the Whitefish Community Development Board to order. Board members present were Whitney Beckham, Frank Sweeney, Jon Heberling, Toby Scott, Mallory Phillips, Scott Wurster, and Steve Qunell. City staff present were Planning Director David Taylor, Planner I Lauren Macdonald, Senior Planner Wendy Compton-Ring, Public Works Director Craig Workman, and Legal Assistant Bree James. There were approximately 10 people attending in addition to the board members and staff. B) AGENDA CHANGES None C) APPROVAL OF JANUARY 16, 2025, MINUTES Scott made a motion, seconded by Beckham to approve the minutes. The motion passed unanimously. D) COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC (Items not on the agenda) None E) UNFINISHED BUSINESS None F) PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. WZV 25-02 A request by Mark Foder for a Variance to the front and lakeshore setbacks to construct a two-story residential and garage addition. The property is currently developed with a single-family home and is zoned WR-2 (Two-family Residential District). The property is located at 1270 Birch Point Drive and can be legally described as lot 2 Amendment Lots 2B & 3, STIDHAMS Lake PL, in Section 26, Township 31 N, Range 22 W, Lot 002 P.M.M., Flathead County. Planner 1 Lauren Macdonald reviewed the staff report and findings. As of the writing of WZV 25-02 no public comments had been received. Staff recommended adoption of the findings of fact within staff report WZV 25-02 for approval of the Variance to the front and lakeshore setbacks to construct a two-story residential and garage addition. Whitefish Community Development Board February 20, 2025 pg. 1 COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE BOARD Sweeney asked if other neighbors asked for variances on their properties and Macdonald confirmed. Qunell wondered if any other properties had accessory apartments over their garages. Compton-Ring told the board they had to change the zoning regulations in response to the 2023 legislature allowing every family to be eligible for an ADU. Scott questioned if this was zoned short- or long-term rental, which Macdonald confirmed was long term rental only. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE APPLICANT/AGENCIES Patrick Walker, 265 Pine Valley Court, Columbia Falls, explained their intent is for personal use only. PUBLIC COMMENT None MOTION AND VOTE (WZV 25-02) Scott made a motion, seconded by Wurster to approve WZV 25-02. The motion passed with a 4 to 3 vote with Phillips, Beckham, Sweeney, and Wurster voting for and Qunell, Scott and Heberling voting against. BOARD DISCUSSION Qunell made a motion to add a friendly amendment adding a condition that the property was not eligible for short term rental use. The friendly failed for lack of a second. Heberling asked about new standards in regard to minimum variances which Taylor explained would be after the growth policy is adopted. Qunell agreed but brought up the fact that when someone buys a home, they should know what they have and not keep asking for more. Sweeney said these variances are routinely given for these lots in particular, so he feels this is a hardship if not granted. Beckham brought up that not granting the variance would take away a special privilege since others had been granted along Birch Point. Scott is concerned that adding a 3-car garage with multiple rooms upstairs, instead of just adding over the 2-car garage that they already have. Beckham explained they are providing parking for the house and ADU. Whitefish Community Development Board February 20, 2025 pg. 2  2. WCUP 25-01 A request by Modus Americas Corp for a Conditional Use Permit to construct a 12-unit multi-family building which is Phase II of the currently developed multi- family building and associated parking. The property is zoned WR-4 (High Density Multi- Family Residential District), is located at 718 Edgewood Place and can be legally described as Lot 1, Neidig subdivision, S25 T31N R22W, P.M.M., Flathead County. Senior Planning Wendy Compton-Ring reviewed the staff report and findings. As of the writing of WZV 25-01, two public comments had been received and one comment was received that day and handed out not in support of multi-family projects in general. Staff recommended adoption of the findings of fact within staff report WCUP 25-01 for approval of the Conditional Use Permit to construct a 12-unit multi-family building. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE BOARD Qunell asked Compton-Ring if the standard was to have 3 spaces for bikes, which she confirmed and noted Condition #5. Phillips feels this will create a good opportunity for affordable housing in Whitefish. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE APPLICANT/AGENCIES None PUBLIC COMMENT Nathan Dugan, 937 Kalispell Avenue, finds this to be a good project. MOTION AND VOTE (WCUP 25-01) Scott made a motion, seconded by Heberling to approve WCUP 25-01. Qunell made a motion to add a friendly amending condition #5 requiring 6 bike spaces, seconded by Beckham and it passed unanimously. 3. WCUP 25-02 A request by Block 26 Partners, LLC for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to operate a full bar as part of a restaurant in a permitted, under construction hotel building, known as The Larch House, in the WB-3 (General Business District). The property is located at 304 East 1st Street and can be legally described as Lot 1, Block 26 of Whitefish Subdivision in S36, T31N, R22W P.M.M., Flathead County. Planning Director David Taylor reviewed the staff report and findings. As of the writing of WCUP 25- 02 no public comments had been received. Staff recommended adoption of the findings of fact within staff report WCUP 25-02 for approval of the CUP to operate a full bar as part of a restaurant in The Larch House. Whitefish Community Development Board February 20, 2025 pg. 3 COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE BOARD Qunell questioned why approval was needed, which Taylor explained that alcohol sales other than restaurant beer/wine require a CUP per the code. COMMUNICATION FROM APPLICANT/APPEALANTS Doug Peppmeier, 450 Corporate Drive, was there to represent the applicants and answer questions, thinks staff did a good job with the report. MOTION AND VOTE (WCUP 25-02) Scott made a motion, seconded by Sweeney to approve WCUP 25-02. The motion passed unanimously. BOARD DISCUSSION Heberling questioned the finding of facts and why the full bar wasn’t mentioned in the WCUP, which Sweeney explained their regulations require it. 4. WZC 25-02 A request by City of Whitefish for a Zone Change to remove an expired Planned Unit Development at 38 Central Avenue. The property is currently developed with a food truck park and is zoned WB-3/WPUD (General Business District). The property is located at 38 Central Avenue and can be legally described as Lots 6-10, Block 27 Whitefish Original in S36 T31N R22W, P.M.M., Flathead County. Senior Planner Wendy Compton-Ring reviewed the staff report and findings. As of the writing of WZC 25-02 no public comments had been received. Staff recommended adoption of the findings of fact within staff report WZC 25-02 for approval to remove an expired Planned Unit Development at 38 Central Avenue. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE BOARD Qunell confirmed the CUP will stay in effect. MOTION AND VOTE (WZC 25-02) Scott made a motion, seconded by Qunell to approve WZC 25-02. The motion passed unanimously. G) GOOD AND WELFARE • Matters from Board Whitefish Community Development Board February 20, 2025 pg. 4 The Board discussed moving the next work session to Wednesday March 19th at 6:00 pm before the WCBD meeting. • Matters from Staff None. • Poll of Board members available for next meetings (March 19, 2025, Growth Policy Work Session, March 20, 2025, CBD Meeting) All Board Members indicated they would be at the March 19, 2025, Growth Policy Work Session, and March 20, 2025, WCBD regular meeting. H) ADJOURNMENT Sweeney made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:01pm. Whitefish Community Development Board February 20, 2025 pg. 5