Planning Commission

WHITEFISH COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BOARD June 19, 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, Jon Heberling, Toby Scott, and Scott Wurster. Phil Boland, Mallory Phillips and Frank Sweeney were absent. City Staff present were Planning Director David Taylor, Planner I Lauren Macdonald, City Attorney Angela Jacobs, and Legal Assistant Bree James. There were approximately 7 people attending in addition to the Board members and staff. B) COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BOARD APPOINTMENTS: 1. Selection of Whitefish Community Development Board Chair Postponed until July WCDB meeting so more Board members could be present. 2. Selection of Whitefish Community Development Board Vice Chair Postponed until July WCDB meeting. C) AGENDA CHANGES None. D) APPROVAL OF MAY 15, 2025, MINUTES Wurster made a motion, seconded by Scott to approve the minutes. The motion passed unanimously. E) COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC (Items not on the agenda) None. F) UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. Whitefish Community Development Board June 19, 2025 pg. 1  G) PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. A request by Haley and Bevan Evans for a variance from the 50-foot front yard setback and 10% lot coverage in order to develop a new single-family home. The property is currently developed with two sheds, a detached garage, a single-family home, and a guesthouse. The property is zoned WCR (County Residential District). The property is located at 485 Armory Road and can be legally described as Tract 5D, in Section 33, Township 31 N, Range 21 W, P.M.M. Planner Lauren Macdonald reviewed the staff report and findings. As of the writing of WZV 25-04 no public comments had been received. Staff recommended adoption of the findings of fact within staff report WZV 25-04 for approval of the variance from the 50-foot front yard setback and 10% lot coverage. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE BOARD Beckham questioned the vicinity of the home versus the new single-family home. Heberling asked if the current buildable area was not reasonable to build a single-family home on. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE APPLICANT/AGENCIES James Kottke, 485 Armory Drive, architect for the project explained when the property was purchased originally the setbacks were 20 foot, and lot coverage was 20%. Heberling asked if 2600 feet is everything that is buildable or not, which Kottke explained the applicant doesn’t want a two-story box. They are proposing a 3800 square-foot home with an attached 1000 square foot garage. Kottke further explained the applicant applied for this two months ago and needs an answer if this will be approved so they don’t have to wait additional years to move forward. Planning Director Taylor explained to the applicants since there were only four board members in attendance they may want to wait until the following month for approval or not, since all four members would have to agree unanimously if voted on tonight. The applicants agreed to postpone this until the July 17th WCDB regular meeting. PUBLIC COMMENT None. Whitefish Community Development Board June 19, 2025 pg. 2  2. A request by Frank Lamb for a variance from the 10-foot side yard setback in order to develop a new single-family home. The property is currently developed with a single-family home and is zoned WR-2 (Two-Family Residential District). The property is located at 415 Columbia Avenue and can be legally described as Lot 20, south 15-feet of Lot 21, Block 64, Whitefish Original in Section 36, Township 31 N, Range 22 W, P.M.M Planner Macdonald reviewed the staff report and findings. As of the writing of WZV 25-05, five public comments were received, with one comment not in support of the variance. Staff recommended adoption of the findings of fact within staff report WZV 25-05 for approval of the variance from the 10-foot side yard setback. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE BOARD None. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE APPLICANT/AGENCIES Frank Lamb, 415 Columbia Avenue, explained they have lived at this property for 20 years and the current home is dilapidated. Their plan is to put a modular home, not a mobile home, on the property. Beckham explained they would most likely have a fuller board next month if the applicant wanted to wait until July for a vote. Lamb questioned if everyone was needed, which Taylor explained since there were only four Board members in attendance they may want to wait until the following month for approval or not. They need approval from all four members for this to pass. Carrie Lamb, 415 Columbia Avenue, questioned waiting another month if there would be additional paperwork. Taylor explained nothing has to be done if they decide to wait until next month for the vote. If this variance doesn’t pass tonight there would be additional paperwork involved if they want to continue. Wurster said it makes sense to wait for more members, which the applicants agreed to do. PUBLIC COMMENT None. 3. A request by the City of Whitefish for a Zoning Text Amendment to the city’s formula retail business standards, amending Section 11-2J-2 permitted uses, and 11-2J-3, conditional uses, WB-1 District; Section 11-2L-2 permitted uses, and 11- Whitefish Community Development Board June 19, 2025 pg. 3  2L-3, conditional uses, WB-3 District; 11-9-2 Definitions; and adding new section 11-3-44, Formula Business Standards. Planning Director Taylor reviewed the staff report and findings. As of the writing of WZTA 25- 02 no public comments have been received. Staff recommended adoption of the findings of fact within staff report WZTA 25-02 for approval of the zoning text amendment to the city’s formula retail business standards. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE BOARD Wurster questioned if this refers to box stores, which Taylor explained this tightens up the definition of what is allowed and would help to avoid loopholes. Wurster also confirmed this wouldn’t expand the area, which Taylor said it is not changing where this is applied. Heberling brought up a previous visioning session that was against box stores, and this looks like an expansion they were trying to prohibit. Beckham asked if tightening the definition should be done before the new growth policy was adopted, which Taylor explained yes because this broadens the definition of formula businesses by including more such as services, but exempts professional businesses such as banks, real estate, investment, legal assistance, insurance, healthcare, title agencies and similar professional services. Wurster was not clear what was being targeted but thinks this sounds different from what he originally thought. Heberling was confused and understands this broadens what can be regulated. Staff explained again how the amendments make it harder for formula businesses to operate and it does not encourage additional formula businesses. PUBLIC COMMENTS None. MOTION AND VOTE (WZTA 25-02) Heberling made a motion to recommend denial of the proposed zoning text amendment, seconded by Wurster. Whitefish Community Development Board June 19, 2025 pg. 4 Heberling stated that the text amendments ran contrary to what the Community Development Board had decided with regard to formula businesses in the draft chapter of the Growth Policy update. Wurster asked staff to explain how the proposed changes expanded the allowances for formula retail. Director Taylor explained that the proposed amendments expand the types of uses that are considered formula businesses and add additional restrictions on them. Acting chair Beckham agreed with Director Taylor, and explained how the proposed changes regulate formula businesses better. After further discussion, Heberling and Wurster withdrew their motion. Scott made a motion, seconded by Wurster to approve WZTA 25-02. After further discussion, the motion passed unanimously. H. GOOD AND WELFARE • Matters from Board Letter from Councilor Caltabiano Wurster thanked Caltabiano for the letter and said it brought up additional information for him to look into such as the Montana Planning Board Member Handbook. He went on to find a growth policy handbook and additional helpful information. Wurster further explained the Board was supposed to receive training 2 months ago, but that had been cancelled. He doesn’t feel properly trained but feels lots of progress was made last night which was positive and productive. Scott reminded the Board they have additional Board Training after the WCDB Meeting adjourns tonight. Heberling feels the Community Development Board should prepare some if not all of the growth policy chapter that came up at the City Council work session. Beckham had concerns about the draft chapter and thought they needed to revisit it. She said they need to be transparent and stay legal throughout. She welcomes comments and feedback. Scott doesn’t want this responsibility on his shoulders and did not vote for the Heart of Whitefish draft. Heberling wanted the growth policy work sessions to be called meetings rather than work sessions. MOTION Whitefish Community Development Board June 19, 2025 pg. 5 Heberling made a motion, seconded by Beckham, to change the work sessions to Growth Policy Meetings. BOARD DISCUSSION Scott questioned if they could make this change. City Attorney Angela Jacobs noted the City has been sued over work groups in the past. VOTE The motion passed unanimously. MOTION Heberling made a motion, seconded by Beckham, to recommend adding a second staff member to the City’s Community Development Board staff to help Long Range Planner Alan Tiefenbach with the Growth Policy. Heberling is concerned that Tiefenbach can’t do it all and additional meetings may be needed. Scott is concerned about staff having extra availability. City Attorney Angela Jacobs cautioned the Board explaining City Manager Dana Smith directs staff, and additional staff would be Smith and Taylor’s decision to make. She further cautioned the Board against directing staff. Scott recommended writing a letter to City Manager Dana Smith. Taylor explained currently planning staff help Alan. Changes and revisiting chapters already reviewed take staff additional time, which is why the plan is behind schedule. Scott agreed there is more behind the scenes they don’t see. Beckham instead said she hopes Alan has all the help he needs, instead of a motion. MOTION Heberling made a motion to hold extra Community Development Board meetings to discuss the Growth Policy. The motion failed due to a lack of a second. Beckham reminded him they already moved their growth policy work sessions to Wednesday to provide additional time for discussions. Taylor explained additional meetings may be added later if needed. Whitefish Community Development Board June 19, 2025 pg. 6  • MATTERS FROM STAFF None POLL OF BOARD MEMBERS AVAILABE FOR NEXT MEETING All Board Members indicated they would be at the July 17, 2025, WCDB regular meeting. I) ADJOURNMENT Wurster made a motion, seconded by Beckham to adjourn the meeting at 7:15 pm. The Board then convened in the conference room for training. Whitefish Community Development Board June 19, 2025 pg. 7