Whitefish Community Housing Committee

WHITEFISH COMMUNITY HOUSING COMMITTEE MEETING MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2024 4:00PM CITIY HALL-WHITEFISH CONFERENCE ROOM PRESENT: Board Members-Cameron Blake, Ben Davis, Rhonda Fitzgerald, Roxann Gallagher, Carolyn Pitman, Daniel Sidder (ZOOM). Absent: Jeff Raper, Marissa Getts (has not been formally appointed by City Council. Staff Members-Luke Sponable, Wendy Compton-Ring, Dana Smith. The Committee does not have a quorum. Call to Order by Cameron Blake at 4:00pm 1. Communication from the Public. Ben Davis received a letter from Kelly Stoclzle and he responded to her. The letter was made available to the committee. 2. Approval of Minutes from April 2, 2024 meeting. Minutes were corrected to read “Roxann Gallagher nominated Ben Davis as Vice-President and the motion was seconded by Jeff Raper. Roxann motioned to approve the minutes with corrections; motion was seconded by Ben Davis. Motion approved unanimously. 3. The Committee spent the majority of the meeting discussing future Committee priorities. Using the 2022 Whitefish Community Housing Roadmap as the guide, the Committee discussed the Community Housing Strategies and the City’s role in its Core Components. First discussed was Core Component, Number 4: Implement Communications and Outreach Plan. Rhonda Fitzgerald noted that organizations such as the WCVB, which already has an active and effective public outreach plan, should be utilized by the City to better communicate with the public. Next, Under Strategies, Number 1: Activate Public/Private Development, the Committee focused on Priority Action I, Create Community Housing Development Plan and Priority Action 3, Create pipeline of land partnership opportunities. Strategies suggested were to create a Community Housing Development Plan in conjunction with the Whitefish Growth Policy; look at property the City owns; and, survey private land and approach landowners. Committee members also noted that it needs an update on infrastructure and the identified needs in order to address certain areas of development. Monegan Road was given as an example. A map of potential locations, both City owned and private, would be very helpful. In a discussion of partnership opportunities, the Alpenglow II housing project has a fundraising plan and is seeking private funds. It was felt that we can do more to bring philanthropy into play. Finally, the Committee requested that Alan Tiefenbach, the City’s Long Range Planner, to attend our next meeting as well as Daniel Sidder, Housing Whitefish ED. Finally, the Committee focused on Implementing Policies to Support Community Housing, Priority Action 5, Zoning for Affordability/Flexible Forms. It pairs with the Growth Policy and it expands housing options and development opportunities. The Committee felt that these three areas were as much as the Committee could prioritize for the upcoming future but reiterated that it was necessary to have a discussion with Alan Tiefenbach before proceeding. 4. The Committee debated whether our regular meeting schedule/time should be changed because some members have difficulty with the 4pm-6pm meeting time. It was decided to wait until the May 29, 2024, meeting to discuss the issue when more members would be in attendance. Communications from staff: Dana Smith reviewed the work being done by Codi Evenson regarding short term rentals. Cody is updating the application process and has done a few registrations and inspections of short term rentals. Dana also announced that the City will hold a work session for the Housing Annexation Policy on June 17, 2024. 5. Other items not on the Agenda: There were no additional items brought up for discussion. 6. Next Whitefish Housing Committee meeting is scheduled for May 29, 2024 at 4:00pm. 7. Meeting adjourned at 5:40pm Respectfully Submitted, Carolyn Pitman, Secretary