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Whitefish council approves conditional-use permit for bar at Larch House, 304 E. First Street
Summary
After a public hearing, the Whitefish City Council unanimously approved WCUP 25-02 permitting a full beverage bar at the under-construction Larch House hotel. Staff said the proposal meets downtown zoning and the Community Development Board recommended five conditions of approval.
The Whitefish City Council on March 17 approved a conditional-use permit allowing a full beverage bar at the Larch House hotel, 304 East First Street, authorizing bar service in the lobby, private dining, a lower‑level speakeasy, rooftop seating and outdoor patio dining.
City Community Development Director Dave Taylor told the council that the property is zoned WB‑3 (general downtown business), that the proposal meets the downtown business district master plan and the city’s zoning standards, and that the project received architectural approval and a building permit. “Staff does recommend approval,” Taylor said, noting that the community development board unanimously recommended the permit and that staff received one supportive email with questions.
The applicant’s representative, Doug Petmire of TDNH Engineering, said he and the owner — Daniel Fuller, online from Dallas — had worked with staff and were available to answer questions. Fuller described the venue as “meant to be sort of quiet” and “not meant to be a rowdy place,” saying the food-and‑beverage areas were located away from the hike‑and‑bike path.
Several members of the public spoke. Joan Ehrenberg, 744 Hidden Valley Drive, raised concerns about outdoor amplification near nearby homes and the bike trail, and questioned whether the additional angled on‑street parking would be adequate for a project of the stated scale. Taylor replied that WB‑3 has no off‑street parking requirement downtown and that the developers planned additional angled on‑street public parking on First and Railway streets.
Councilor Giuseppe moved to approve WCUP 25‑02, adopting the findings of fact in the staff report and the five conditions recommended by the Whitefish Community Development Board on Feb. 20, 2025; the motion was seconded by Councilor Quinell and carried unanimously. The council did not identify additional conditions during the hearing.
The permit allows the applicant to pursue the full beverage license and to proceed with the portions of the project described in the staff packet, subject to the five recommended conditions and the city’s code requirements. The staff report and the Community Development Board materials are on file with the city; the council recorded the action as WCUP 25‑02 and indicated the standard permit review and compliance process will follow.
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Votes at a glance: WCUP 25‑02 — Motion to approve findings of fact and five recommended conditions; mover: Councilor Giuseppe; second: Councilor Quinell; outcome: approved (motion carries unanimously).
