The Whitefish Community Development Board voted unanimously in July to recommend approval for an amendment to the planned unit development at 95 Karrow Ave., known as Whitefish Yards.

Plans for the development on the west side of the Whitefish River shifted from mixed-use with a considerable number of commercial uses to lean more heavily residential. The request was to increase residential units from 97 to 150. The applicant also asked for flexibility in placement of elements on the lot and for slightly more building height. 

Senior Planner Wendy Compton-Ring gave an overview of the history of the iterations of the designs for the property that was formerly an Idaho Timber lumber yard. In 2017, the Whitefish City Council approved plans for a mixed-use development that included a hotel, microbrewery, restaurant, retail, artisan workshop space and residential housing.   

“Over the years, the project has been refined,” she said. “With more information and more knowledge of what would actually work there, different PUDs have come in.” 

The site is currently developed with paved streets and parking, but no structures have been built. 

Under new owners, the proposed plan includes increasing the number of residential units from 97 to a maximum of 150. The units will not be short-term rentals. The previous plan for a 70-unit hotel remains. 

Community benefits include a public trail along the river, open spaces and access to the river via a public dock. 

To build 150 units, rather than the base density for the site, which is 122 units, the developers need to provide 10% affordable housing. 

The representative for the development, Aaron Wallace, principal architect for Montana Creative Architecture and Design, said the previous live-work plan, which featured a mix of residential and commercial, “just doesn’t pencil.” 

“The thought is that monthly, high-end also affordable type rental units in a resort type setting would be the best applicable use,” he said. “The number count that makes sense is to have 150 residential units.” 

He said the owners would hold the units that would then be available for monthly rent.  

Wallace explained there would be two buildings that look like townhouses, which will have 14 units “all over between the two buildings,” that are planned to be deed restricted. They are one- and two-bedroom units. 

“And then we have to fill out the balance with some cash in lieu,” he said. 

The proposal is scheduled to be heard by Council on Aug. 4. 

ALSO AT the meeting, Haley and Bevan Evans requested a 20-foot variance and 20% lot coverage to build a new single-family home at 485 Armory Road. City staff recommended approval, and the board approved the request 6-1 with Jon Heberling in opposition. 

Frank Lamb returned to request a variance from the 10-foot setback on his property at 415 Columbia Ave., to replace the current home with a new, modular one. The board approved the request unanimously. 

City Planner Lauren Macdonald said she received four comments about the project, one in opposition and three in support. The one in opposition had confused a modular home with a mobile home. 

Lamb said the existing house was built in 1947 and has been a great home for his family for over 20 years. The modular home will come in two pieces, will be placed on a foundation, and could be up in eight weeks. The old sewer line under the existing home will be replaced at that time. 

“Fingers crossed, we would love to be in the home this fall,” Lamb said. “We love the neighborhood; we love our neighbors.” 

The board also voted unanimously to recommend approval of a few text amendments regarding subdivisions that are necessary due to three bills adopted by the state Legislature. 

The changes include correction of typos and a clarification of unusual situations, like the process for smaller amounts of land to be dedicated as parks. A definition of homeowners association was added. 

The Whitefish City Council will hear this item on Aug. 18. 

The board voted for Whitney Beckham to serve as the board’s chair and Toby Scott to serve as the vice chair. Steve Qunell stepped down as chair of the Whitefish Community Development Board in May. Since then, Whitney Beckham has served as the chair pro tempore.