[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6074185,"mediaKeyId","2986411-d9cd160ea0f19836a83c2633b3b71b4b","parentId",2986411,"title","Board grants appeal over airport 300‑foot setback interpretation; matter to go to city council","audioSeconds",1440,"startMs",5855000,"endMs",7295000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2986411-d9cd160ea0f19836a83c2633b3b71b4b&start=5855&end=7295","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2986411-d9cd160ea0f19836a83c2633b3b71b4b/thumbnail_5855000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6074185/Whitefish/Flathead-County/Montana/Board-grants-appeal-over-airport-300foot-setback-interpretation-matter-to-go-to-city-council","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6074185-f5bc2fed8c79bb62b07a5bd78090101d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771147311&Signature=eKalOi5GrGNOm9P-ywjsP3q48JaxczjM0yt9urV6AsWcLKD1N7OKKFlTYR2-g7h5WsHq3G0MJEJrU1t5iPLmp0F4YoHOlJfClmL-7uWeyfCxoTycIXMaRvzUsQcLp~uhytte9njwRM523k87v2tJoLG846HV9lsxz4b2Uq0rk325m2kCq4Ck1prodNMRAEJa4gZvJAoxd-ELWcc1vxh0eATkqaV3kzt~On7BtyJxFrH6Ve1q-bUgBBkHY7d3eFs48vCNGabUwJgmfDn80a9mpiv2uqnMKfSJFTLA8U-VIyo5XxMJBMGLBO6tonC43ic6qYjGd4w0E0JYFlFWMbjN2w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","MT / City of Whitefish","date","2025-01-16T00:00:00Z","article","Whitefish — The Community Development Board on Jan. 16 granted an appeal challenging the planning director’s interpretation that a 300‑foot setback in the city’s airport provision applies only to runways/helipads and not to accessory buildings within the airport. The board’s 5‑2 vote means the zoning‑interpretation question will be returned to city council for further review tied to the conditional use permit for a proposed hangar.

Planning staff had concluded the airport‑setback provision was intended to address landing areas (runways, heliports, helipads) and not accessory structures inside a grandfathered airport property. Staff noted multiple small accessory structures already exist on the site and said state airport‑affected‑area statutes apply differently to properties outside an airport than to property inside one. Appellants — led by Robert Horn and Kate McMahon — argued the ordinance is ambiguous, that definitions used by the FAA and Montana Code include airport buildings and facilities, and that the 2014 amendment produced no public record saying the setback was meant to be limited to runways. The appellants provided technical citations and asked the board to recognize they were specifically aggrieved by the interpretation.

Appellants argued the airport’s off‑site impacts (noise, fumes, wildlife conflicts and safety zones) extend beyond airport boundaries and that a looser interpretation could undercut public health and safety protections. Planning staff countered that the airport is a long‑standing, grandfathered facility and that accessory buildings were treated consistently in prior reviews. The proposed hangar lessee, applicant William McKinney, said the project would be an accessory building to the existing airport and not a new airport or runway.

After extended deliberation the board found the zoning administrator’s interpretation was erroneous in this instance and that the appellants had demonstrated sufficient interest to be aggrieved. Staff said the board’s decision will return the matter to city council for a hearing on whether the approved conditional use permit complies with city code; council will decide whether to uphold or reverse the CUP. The board’s action does not by itself revoke the CUP; it directs further review at council level. The board chair asked staff to include a written rationale in the record for council’s review.

The decision highlights ambiguity in the city’s airport language and the need for clearer definitions or a targeted zoning amendment; several board members suggested the city consider an “airport‑affected area” ordinance or an explicit code amendment to clarify setbacks and safety zones for airports, hangars and associated facilities.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Whitefish Community Development Board Growth Policy Update and Meeting January 16, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Community Development Board found the zoning administrator’s interpretation of a 300‑foot airport setback to be in error and granted an appeal, sending the question of whether accessory buildings at the Whitefish Airport must meet the 300‑foot setback to city council for review of the conditional use permit.","taxTitle","Whitefish, Flathead County, Montana","taxId",56558,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6074190,"Community Development Board approves setback variance for 430 Parkway Drive with conditions",1799,4059000,5858000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2986411-d9cd160ea0f19836a83c2633b3b71b4b&start=4059&end=5858","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2986411-d9cd160ea0f19836a83c2633b3b71b4b/thumbnail_4059000.jpg","/articles/6074190/Whitefish/Flathead-County/Montana/Community-Development-Board-approves-setback-variance-for-430-Parkway-Drive-with-conditions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6074190-058aa82fc59f84d79c2a581fa5809403/orig.mp4?Expires=1771147311&Signature=T~SZJULGsBpNCVwmS06bB7YaW3Gug7wxizX4DNzEBDZGjGBNjlrf-uQv~n7HAVOIIqcFvZvpoGXt93II9c-o1ClLwI58dO3LyiMZ3GDiAQ01nyyMl40hrSCfWEoVagyt70oaDfv~CjqP9juzCxaddHWcMN1AMUNvQcOh3WN4xgDdaJCMydPEzlXwbCW48A6nkmeiP6Mgk7YyaW3VbnzTOPkY6UyhRQSeZU5Gk1IdJOS3j0BfSoiTYmURA6TDkHdFDhIS4uqNyg5UYqodJnY3vyFFzQRQHcjKCM4VSCCsXL34VL4RwhZSWd-7owCi02kuP45riJ02Vf-LtFYto5v2RA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Whitefish — The Whitefish Community Development Board voted Jan. 16 to approve a setback variance (WZV‑25‑01) that lets an owner reconstruct a single‑family home on an existing foundation at 430 Parkway Drive, subject to conditions requiring continued code compliance and construction consistent with the submitted plans.

Planning staff presented the request as a rebuild on an existing, irregular foundation that predated zoning. Staff recommended approval with conditions to maintain on‑site roof runoff and to record the variance with the county clerk and recorder. At the public hearing the applicant’s representative, attorney Brian Joss, told the board the home’s 1965 foundation — constructed before local zoning — constrained reasonable renovation and that complete reconstruction in the same footprint was intended to minimize lakeshore disturbance. Owner Brett (last name in packet) confirmed the plan and said he does not intend to add a second story.

Neighbor Judy Pettinato spoke in support and asked only for care on construction impacts and exterior lighting. Commenters flagged fire‑safety concerns for narrow side setbacks but the applicant said removing and moving the entire foundation would cause greater lakeshore disturbance.

Board member Toby Scott moved approval; the board amended staff finding No. 1 to state that strict compliance with the regulations would limit reasonable use in this instance because requiring the homeowner to move the entire foundation would be unreasonable. The board added a condition that construction proceed according to the submitted plans. After votes on the amendment and the added condition, the final motion to approve passed; the board recorded the final approval with the conditions.

The approval allows the homeowner to replace the existing dwelling in its current footprint and requires the owner to comply with all city codes, retain roof runoff on site, record the variance with the county clerk and recorder, and build to the plans submitted to the city.","The board granted a variance to allow rebuilding a single‑family home on its existing foundation at 430 Parkway Drive, amended staff findings to reflect that strict compliance would limit reasonable use, and included a condition that construction follow the submitted plans.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6074195,"Whitefish board votes to add growth‑plan work sessions, settles on Wednesday/Thursday cadence",1805,1871000,3676000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2986411-d9cd160ea0f19836a83c2633b3b71b4b&start=1871&end=3676","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2986411-d9cd160ea0f19836a83c2633b3b71b4b/thumbnail_1871000.jpg","/articles/6074195/Whitefish/Flathead-County/Montana/Whitefish-board-votes-to-add-growthplan-work-sessions-settles-on-WednesdayThursday-cadence","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6074195-9058a30a6623ce297411164d53d2cba5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771147311&Signature=e9rB1F~nnlsvDGvDGUVD73BNPx5GJv5TgGzZPAuvtgbpYWEL8q5L09reFObgdTwL-uZmG0e5exA1BvO~zqbzTBx~iHfRdoCThweCIP3LRdVVHrF7eZJ5wppr3wlz1fnrb68M0TwkdSaxpsizh-z4TZntV8KqiqLbvfXq4VkJhgzCnu-Iw4pUrvpMoxjZAm7N2Mzc5esyrjDqZwJTs1Ly9GBaj8o5kYcXthZ0B4yBdAss-Q0PUWE6BEoQBld19UA8rBoYas4E~H~rCDdTuxLtVVA01Rs-ktYzOyBsEzegmzt~Japmpm0fwsaa3kY9PlksOf~MSWE7FP6pfUy39727ww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Whitefish — The Whitefish Community Development Board agreed on Jan. 16 to adjust its meeting cadence to give more time for the city’s Vision Whitefish 2045 update, directing staff to pursue two meeting patterns and report back on staffing and fiscal implications.

Planning staff member Dave outlined multiple options for handling the growth‑policy review at the Jan. 16 work session, including moving the regular meeting to 7 p.m. and starting work sessions at 5 p.m., keeping current hours but finishing work sessions after regular meetings, scheduling a monthly second meeting devoted to the growth policy, or using special daytime educational sessions for complex chapters. Board members debated tradeoffs including public‑accessibility, volunteer schedules and staff capacity.

After discussion the board reached consensus to test a pattern of two meetings in the same week — a work session on Wednesday followed by the regular meeting on Thursday in the third week of the month — with work sessions starting at 5 p.m. and regular business at 6 p.m. Staff was asked to check whether that sequence is feasible staffing‑ and cost‑wise and to coordinate the formal notice schedule. Board members also emphasized clearer public agendas and asked staff to avoid re‑presenting material that the public and board have already read; several members suggested strictly limiting staff recaps and starting public comment and discussion sooner.

Board vice chair and others said a repeated weekly pairing could increase attendance for members who travel and make it easier for the public to plan. The board directed staff to return on the next meeting with recommendations on scheduling and the fiscal impact for having an additional meeting cadence.

The action is intended to give the board more uninterrupted time on complex chapters — notably land use and environment sections — while keeping a predictable schedule for the public. Staff cautioned that extensive chapters may still require special meetings or additional public outreach sessions.","The Community Development Board agreed to add a second monthly session focused on the Vision Whitefish growth policy and to trial back‑to‑back Wednesday/Thursday meetings in the third week of each month, with work sessions to start at 5 p.m. and regular meetings remaining at 6 p.m.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6074200,"Whitefish high school seniors present Vision Whitefish 2045 proposals on transit, housing and stormwater",1212,174000,1386000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2986411-d9cd160ea0f19836a83c2633b3b71b4b&start=174&end=1386","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2986411-d9cd160ea0f19836a83c2633b3b71b4b/thumbnail_174000.jpg","/articles/6074200/Whitefish/Flathead-County/Montana/Whitefish-high-school-seniors-present-Vision-Whitefish-2045-proposals-on-transit-housing-and-stormwater","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6074200-bb856f1780b0ce13f4a39d041d3d5b71/orig.mp4?Expires=1771147311&Signature=G4UN58sqLRc96euJ5ur1HaD70lVPlBeFQaWd4xSq~rDO9C~Huyw0xc5tMjyrzFqLVTDbb2j~sgDB5c3ciD~fx-xilreDl9LxWhvNr0lXZRf0xaLUCHmVPyocqeGkZ6MMM~mb2TCrtqN51r54voSZ4ism9jjTJFBgwMMsYyJy6EERyeYl~oPHJkUSRaEhWo7CaxrV1CxGvU8~AgEUckPSJm7fDWUuDibyLgB-N4u6FPJEgvlHNLPgUzzsNhfAhef01zLOGCj1GdT3RCSMajmHKd2sGsJfhfWQn1u0LxxUQUo5wT1GqhLelJ6BapcDZ6ifFAIswGQiM54o7KlWLQpf~Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Whitefish — High school seniors presented their Vision Whitefish 2045 projects at the Whitefish Community Development Board work session on Jan. 16, proposing a range of local policy ideas including a transportation advisory committee, a year‑round transit network, mandated EV chargers in new construction, permeable pavement and stormwater harvesting, a municipal equity leader, vacancy taxes and incentives for mixed‑use development.

The students delivered short, evidence‑based policy pitches as part of a class project guided by teacher Mr. Webb. The presentations were framed as an exercise in persuasive civic writing and local policy engagement, and drew brief feedback from board members who praised the students’ preparation.

Among the proposals, Whitney Workman proposed formation of “a transportation advisory committee” that would include city and Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) representatives, police, city council members, business owners and residents to improve communication on highway projects. Lauren Rossi urged updating the town’s limited seasonal snow‑bus service into a year‑round public transit network, saying the change would “decrease it by about 23 times the amount of accidents” and open parking for downtown businesses. Ethan Hunsaker argued for updating the city’s parking code to “mandate electric vehicle charging in new constructions” to support tourism and local EV adoption. A student identified as Logan recommended permeable pavement, rain gardens and rainwater harvesting to reduce stormwater runoff, noting that permeable pavement can “absorb up to 5 gallons of water per minute and reduce runoff by about 7%.”

Other student proposals included a municipal equity leader to broaden civic participation (presented by a student who cited demographic imbalance in meeting attendance), a vacancy tax to redirect revenue from long‑term unoccupied homes into workforce and low‑income housing (Kelly Klepper), incentives for mixed‑use buildings to encourage affordable housing and year‑round jobs (Tyler Wick and Griffin Gunlixson), and temporary summer street closures on Central Avenue to boost walkability and local business activity (Jake Dunker and Isaac Gibbs).

Board members thanked the students and several noted the presentations cited useful resources for future planning work. The students’ exercise was described by Mr. Webb as an applied civics project intended to practice persuasive writing and engage young residents with local planning issues.

The presentations were part of the work session and did not generate formal board action tonight; staff and board members said they welcomed continued student involvement in Vision Whitefish planning efforts.","Whitefish High School seniors presented an applied civics project at the Community Development Board work session, outlining proposals on a transportation advisory committee, year‑round transit, electric‑vehicle charging, stormwater mitigation, housing equity and downtown street closures.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board grants appeal over airport 300‑foot setback interpretation; matter to go to city council

Community Development Board approves setback variance for 430 Parkway Drive with conditions

Whitefish board votes to add growth‑plan work sessions, settles on Wednesday/Thursday cadence

Whitefish high school seniors present Vision Whitefish 2045 proposals on transit, housing and stormwater