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Whitefish council approves lakeshore retaining-wall variance, bars sod in protected zone
Summary
The council approved a minor lakeshore variance to raise an existing dry-stacked retaining wall at 300 Skiles Place and added a condition prohibiting sod in the Lakeshore Protection Zone; staff and the Lakeshore Protection Committee had recommended approval with conditions.
The Whitefish City Council unanimously approved a Whitefish Lake and Lakeshore variance July 20 to increase the height of an existing dry-stack stone retaining wall at 300 Skiles Place from about 40 inches to 52 inches to create a level patio and reduce the footprint of construction within the Lakeshore Protection Zone.
Planning staff said the wall predates lakeshore regulations and that the proposal reduces construction area in the protection zone from approximately 640 square feet to about 404 square feet while adding native plantings and stabilizing shoreline. The Lakeshore Protection Committee reviewed the application on June 10 and recommended approval by a 3-2 vote with one abstention.
Council raised questions about placement of sod within the lakeshore protection zone; committee and staff representatives noted native planting is the typical requirement and sod would likely require a separate variance. Councilor Andy moved to approve the variance and add a condition explicitly prohibiting sod in the Lakeshore Protection Zone; the motion passed unanimously.
The approval includes a condition requiring staff notification at construction start so inspectors can verify adherence to conditions and native-plant requirements.
