Council approves conditional use permit for two-story mixed-use building at 6345 Highway 93 South

The Whitefish City Council unanimously approved a conditional use permit (WCUP 25-06) allowing Dalen Property Holdings LLC to construct a second two-story building adjacent to an existing dental office at 6345 Highway 93 South. Lede: the permit authorizes commercial space on the ground floor and two two-bedroom apartments above, plus expanded parking and a secondary access connection to the Snowy Mountain subdivision. Nut graf: staff and the Community Development Board recommended approval with 12 conditions that include bike parking, a landscaping plan, architectural review, coordination with Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) because of highway access changes and an 18-month permit validity. Planning staff reported the project meets WB2 zoning, setbacks, height, parking, mixed-use standards and emergency access requirements; the project did not request deed-restricted workforce housing and therefore is not eligible for housing incentives. Architect Aaron Wallace described the First Floor as roughly 2,400 square feet with around 2,000 square feet of office space arranged for medical use complementary to the existing dental office; the second floor contains two two-bedroom apartments with decks and onsite parking. One nearby resident asked whether approval would preclude a future river-trail extension; staff responded it would not. The Community Development Board held a public hearing on Aug. 21 and recommended approval; no public comments were received for the council hearing. The council voted to approve WCUP 25-06 unanimously.