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Whitefish board recommends Riverfront Hotel expansion; applicant cites failing retaining wall
Summary
The Whitefish Community Development Board unanimously recommended City Council approval of WCUP25-10, allowing the Riverfront Hotel to convert a south office building into nine suites that will join the hotel rental pool, with eight conditions including a ban on short-term unit-level rentals.
The Whitefish Community Development Board on Oct. 16 recommended City Council approval of WCUP25-10, a conditional use permit from Whitefish River Hotel LLC to convert an existing office building at 920–940 Spokane Avenue into nine one- to three-bedroom suites to operate as part of the Riverfront Hotel.
Staff planner Wendy told the board the proposal would not change the building’s mass or scale, would be part of the hotel’s rental pool and meet the zoning definition of a hotel. “We recommend approval of the project subject to 8 conditions of approval,” Wendy said. She noted the property is about 2.6 acres, located adjacent to the Whitefish River, and that the site meets parking requirements (93 spaces provided; 90 required).
The proposal includes interior conversion to nine units with full kitchens, shared access to the main building’s amenities, updated landscaping and modest bicycle parking additions. Wendy explained any exterior modifications or work inside the river buffer would need to comply with Whitefish’s water quality protection regulations. Staff recommended a condition that the new units not operate as individually owned short-term rentals but remain managed through the hotel.
Applicant Justin Dahl told the board the property’s failing south retaining wall was documented before their purchase: “we knew it was failing when we purchased the property about a year ago,” he said, and that a geotechnical engineer produced a report. Wendy added that a prior retaining-wall replacement had been permitted as a legal nonconforming, same-for-same repair.
Board member Toby moved to recommend approval of WCUP25-10 “in accordance with the Whitefish City Code title 11 chapter 7 subsection 8” based on staff findings and subject to the eight conditions; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously. No members of the public spoke in opposition during the hearing.
The board’s action is a recommendation; the City Council will review the CUP and take the final action at a future meeting.
