Whitefish board backs transfer of beer-and-wine license to Wild Coffee at 309 Central Avenue

The Whitefish Community Development Board on Oct. 16 unanimously recommended that City Council approve WCUP25-09, a conditional use permit that would allow Andiamo Project LLC to transfer a beer-and-wine license to Wild Coffee, 309 Central Avenue, and use it accessory to the café operation.

Planning staffer Lauren McDonald told the board no physical changes to the building or site are proposed. The application seeks a new conditional-use permit because the beer-and-wine license is being moved from the applicant’s former food-service location; the board was told a 2021 conditional-use permit had previously approved beer-and-wine at a different address. McDonald said staff conducted public-noticing from Sept. 23 to Oct. 1, posted a sign, mailed letters to adjacent landowners and published a legal notice in the Whitefish Pilot, and that the proposed use complies with the growth policy and zoning (WB-3) for the area.

"The proposed use complies with the growth policy designation as well as the zoning regulations," McDonald said. She confirmed in response to a board question that the WB-3 business district includes bar and lounge uses.

Applicant Sam Downhauer confirmed operational details to the board. He said the sale of beer and wine would occur at the same counter used for coffee and food service and that the intent is to keep the café’s community space intact with limited hours — he said not to be open past 5 p.m. The property does not have a casino overlay and no casino use is proposed.

Toby moved to recommend approval of WCUP25-09 to City Council with the four conditions listed in the staff report; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously. There were no public commenters at the hearing.

Staff recommended the conditions included in the report; the recommendation and staff report will be forwarded to City Council for final action.