An updated draft plan for the U.S. 93 West area continues to be under review. The plan is intended to guide future land use in the corridor.

Increasing interest in commercial development combined with major road improvements for the stretch of highway prompted the city last year to begin a planning study for the corridor.

Last month the committee reviewed changes to the draft plan.

“Primary changes are a reduction in the text and the land use plan,” Nick Kaufman with WGM told the committee. “We wanted to make sure the land uses suggested were part of the plan and be sensitive to how transition will occur.”

The city contracted with WGM Group and Sitescape Associates to create the corridor plan.

The corridor is defined as extended out from the highway about 1,200 feet and about 1.5 miles in length beginning at the west side of the Veteran’s Bridge to west of Mountainside Drive.

The first draft of the plan was released this summer. The plan will eventually go to the planning board and city council for approval.

Subdistricts

Area “A” runs parallel to the south of the highway roughly from Good Avenue to just west of Ramsey Avenue. Public comments indicated that the existing professional offices and veterinary clinic fit in with the character of the neighborhood and should be part of the recommended land uses. In addition, residential uses are recommended.

Area “B” encompasses the area on the north side of the highway east of Ramsey Avenue between the Whitefish River and Highway 93. Public input showed the area as the entry into downtown and development should complement the open space uses along the river.

Area “C” runs from Good Avenue to Whitefish Golf Course and surrounding Third Street. Public input indicated that preserving the existing residential uses in this area is important because it has rural character and has a safe street for kids to walk and bike. Recommended land use is single-family or two-family residential.

Area “D” includes residence on or near Murray Avenue and is 5 acres in size. People also wanted to preserve this area as residential and recommended land use is single-family or two-family residential.

For the former Idaho Timber lumber mill site, the community envisions an adaptive use or redevelopment of the site beyond its potential for industrial uses. Recommended land uses include recreational facilities, artisan manufacturing, multi-family residential and resort residential.

The Resort-Commercial district is the area of Grouse Mountain Lodge. The recommended future use for the area is that it would be designated as resort commercial.

The Fox Hollow area is south of the highway and includes Forest Service and Border Control offices along with residences. Public input indicated that the existing land uses should remain.

The West Residential area includes both sides of the highway roughly west of State Park Road on the edge of the corridor. Public comments indicated that the area should remain residential.

As part of the corridor plan, three new proposed zoning districts are recommended.

WT-3 or neighborhood mixed-use transitional district is intended for transitional development including high density residential, professional offices and light manufacturing.

WI-T or industrial transitional district is intended to allow for gradual transition on vacant sites that were traditionally heavy manufacturing to adapt to clean industries and business incubators. This could be applied to the former Idaho Timber site.

WPR or parks and recreation district is intended for parks and recreational uses such as the Great Northern Veterans Peace Park.