Planning Commission

WHITEFISH COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BOARD April 17, 2025 6:00 PM A) CALL TO ORDER Vice Chair Whitney Beckham called the regular meeting of the Whitefish Community Development Board to order. Board members present were Whitney Beckham, Phil Boland, Toby Scott, Mallory Phillips, Scott Wurster, and Frank Sweeney. Steve Qunell was absent. City staff present were Planning Director David Taylor, Senior Planner Wendy Compton-Ring, Public Works Director Craig Workman, and Legal Assistant Bree James. There were approximately 19 people attending in addition to the Board members and staff. B) AGENDA CHANGES None C) APPROVAL OF MARCH 20, 2025 MINUTES Boland made a motion, seconded by Scott to approve the minutes. The motion passed unanimously. D) COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC (Items not on the agenda) Marty Brandt, 575 Armory Road asked if there was an option for the WCDB meetings to be online. E) UNFINSHED BUSINESS None F) PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. WZV 25-03 A request by Flathead Electric Co-op for a variance from the 50-foot front yard setback in order to develop the Community Solar project. The property is partially developed with the City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant and the Parks Maintenance Facility. The property is zoned WA (Agriculture District). The property is located at 350 Monegan Road and can be legally described as Tract 1AD in S5 T30N R22W, P.M.M., Flathead County. Whitefish Community Development Board pg. 1 April 17, 2025 Senior Planner Wendy Compton-Ring reviewed the staff report and findings. As of the writing of WZV 25-03 one public comment was received. Staff recommended adoption of the findings of fact within staff report WZV 25-03 for approval of the 50-foot front yard setback in order to complete the Community Solar project. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE BOARD Boland questioned if there was a way to rearrange the solar panels without needing a 50-foot setback and staff suggested asking the applicant that question. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE APPLICANT/AGENCIES Ashley Schmidt, Flathead Electric Cooperative, explained they had to leave room for the storm drain easement, and the equipment has been purchased. They may lose a USDA grant without the variance to the 50-foot setback. PUBLIC COMMENT None MOTION AND VOTE Sweeney made a motion, seconded by Scott to approve WZV 25-03. The motion passed unanimously. 2. WCUP 25-04 A request by Casey Malmquist for a Conditional Use Permit for a bar/lounge in an existing building. The property is currently developed with a mixed- use building and is zoned WB-3 (General Business District). The property is located at 16 Baker Avenue and can be legally described as Suite 101, Whitefish Suites at 16 Baker on Lot 4, WF Original. S36 T31N R22W, P.M.M., Flathead County. Senior Planner Wendy Compton-Ring reviewed the staff report and findings. As of the writing of WCUP 25-03 one comment was received. Staff recommended adoption of the findings of fact within staff report WCUP 25-03 for approval of the Conditional Use Permit for a bar/lounge in an existing building. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE BOARD Heberling asked if they were required to limit hours to 10:00 pm, which they are not. Whitefish Community Development Board pg. 2 April 17, 2025 COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE APPLICANT/AGENCIES Casey Malmquist, 870 Monegan Road, applicant had no comments. PUBLIC COMMENT Fred Hamilton, VFW, 20 Baker Avenue, is concerned about additional cars in their lot who are not customers. He stated they have problems with people parking there already. Beckham asked where customers should park, and Casey Malmquist stated wherever they can, he can’t control this. The license is very regulated, and they will not be doing take out. Sheila Schlegel, VFW, 20 Baker Avenue, explained she further explained VFW parking problems. They have to hire a parking lot attendant during events. MOTION AND VOTE (WCUP 25-04) Sweeny made a motion, seconded by Wurster to approve WCUP 25-04. The motion passed unanimously. 3. WZTA 25-01 A request by the City of Whitefish for a zoning text amendment to 11- 3-38, Airports, Heliports, and Helipads, to clarify setbacks from landing strips, helipads, and accessory buildings, as directed by the Whitefish City Council. Planning Director David Taylor reviewed the staff report and findings. As of the writing of WZTA 25-01 over 30 comments were received. Staff recommended adoption of the findings of fact within staff report WZTA 25-01 for approval of the text amendment to Section 11-3-38. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE BOARD Wurster inquired if this aligned with the Growth Policy and Taylor responded it does. Boland questioned why they did not ask the state about the airport compatibility. Taylor explained this is not a full use airport but they did talk to the state. Wurster brought up safety and asked if the expansion would set a precedence for future annexation. Taylor explained the State had no interest in adding utilities and they are not expanding the airport. Whitefish Community Development Board pg. 3 April 17, 2025 PUBLIC COMMENTS Aaron Alme, 453 Armory, supports this amendment. Phyllis Quatman, 150 Johns Way, is concerned about subsection “g” when there is not room to build now. She also recommended including buildings for public and government purposes consistent with 67-1-104, MCA. Kate McMahon, 151 Wedgewood, thinks more planning needs to be done. She explained where the helicopters land now is already encroaching on wetlands and she has safety concerns. She brought a petition signed by 20 people against this. Kate further expressed concerns over the definition of an airport vs. an airfield. Corey Seemann, 461 Armory Road, is a pilot and provided background information on the airport. He explained the airport is state owned for public use, not commercial. Michael Seemann, 751 Cottonwood Court, supports this amendment. Marlon Sundh, 833 Lower Valley Rd. Kalispell, supports this amendment. Bill Montgomery, 5735 Highway 93 S., supports this amendment. Cathy Seemann, 1716 W. Lakeshore Dr., supports this amendment. Steven, 450 Glenwood, supports this amendment. MOTION AND VOTE (WZTA 25-01) Wurster made a motion, seconded by Sweeney to approve WZTA 25-01. The motion passed on a 6-1 vote with Heberling voting against. BOARD DISCUSSION Scott supported revising the text in amendment “G” on page 5, pictured on page 3. Taylor explained the safety zone is 250 ft and accessory buildings are 150 feet from the center line. Scott expressed concerns about needing 300 feet for a helipad, which Taylor confirmed there is not a paved area for them. Whitefish Community Development Board pg. 4 April 17, 2025 Heberling questioned if more planning needed to be done citing Findings of Fact 1, 3, 7, and 9. He is opposed to this amendment. Sweeney reminded everyone this is not an expansion of the airport. Ninety-nine percent of the airport is not in the city, only a small section of land at the end. He reminded everyone the airport has been here for over 60 years, and the homes were built around it. He will support this amendment. Sweeney confirmed this is correcting a previous issue, and asked if approved would it preclude another applicant. Taylor explained it would not change, and applicants can still apply. Beckham recommended removing “private property” under letter “C”, and Taylor explained this would not change the intent. She also asked about the dog park and a helipad, which Taylor explained they can’t have a paved helipad. Sweeney made a motion to change the wording from private and public property under “B” and “C” to any property, seconded by Wurster. The motion passed unanimously. G) GOOD AND WELFARE • Matters from Board Scott suggested verbally voting instead of raising their hands. Heberling made a motion to change work sessions to formal work sessions, seconded by Beckham. The motion passed on a 5-2 vote with Beckham, Heberling, Scott, Wurster and Sweeney voting for and Phillips and Boland voting against. BOARD DISCUSSION Heberling wants more public participation and noticing for the work sessions. He stated there should be an agenda and minutes. He suggested using motions, decisions and votes during the work sessions. Taylor explained notices were already being sent out for work sessions. Sweeney added work sessions are for exchanging ideas and meetings are for voting. Wurster finds it hard to give direction to staff during work sessions and wants to be able to formally vote. Whitefish Community Development Board pg. 5 April 17, 2025 Taylor explained they can prepare a schedule for the next meeting per their request so public review could be done before, and they could draft questions. Wurster inquired if the economic growth chapter could still be changed. Taylor explained they are not ready to finish that chapter yet. Taylor wants to have all the information before giving it to the Board. Phillips thinks it should be left as is and reminded everyone that a grant is on the line if timelines were not met. Heberling suggested putting two staff on instead of just Alan if time is an issue. Sweeney reminded the Board that they could structure their meetings how they want, but public comment could be done at the beginning and the end of meetings. If they choose to change to a formal meeting, there must be motions and a quorum to vote. The Board and staff discussed issues and concerns about where to hold work sessions, public comments and deliberating. Taylor reminded the Board of the equipment recently purchased for the meetings. • Matters from Staff None • Poll of Board Members available for the next meeting All Board members indicated they would be at the May 15, 2025, WCBD regular meetings except Heberling. All Board members indicated they would be at the May 21, 2025 work session. H) ADJOURNMENT Wurster made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:28pm. Whitefish Community Development Board pg. 6 April 17, 2025