The Monterra condominium development has received approval to add another 66 units to the project that first began more than a decade ago.

The Missoula-based Whitefish Partners 1 were seeking a conditional use permit to construct the second phase of the project and complete the first phase for the development on the south end of Whitefish. City Council unanimously approved the CUP on Monday.

Developer Jim McLeod said the recession forced the development to put a hold on building new condos, but they’re now ready to begin construction again.

“I’m excited we have the chance to finish Monterra,” McLeod told council.

The project is set to complete the Monterra development with a total of 224 units — less than the 230 originally approved.

Phase 2 includes 54 units in four buildings to be built south of the existing Monterra development. The completion of Phase 1 includes a dozen units in a single building to be constructed where the existing tennis courts are located.

A few Monterra residents expressed reservations about moving the tennis courts and adding additional buildings.

McLeod said the location of the new units has largely been decided by input from Monterra residents.

“One suggestion is to go to the [homeowners association] for a vote on what’s best,” he said. “We want the location of the units to be up to the homeowners.”

Tim Frye said he appreciated that the developer is willing to allow a vote of the homeowners in deciding the construction.

“There are units that have a view of Big Mountain that will now have a view of a building,” he said. “And there are those that looked at the tennis courts that will have a view of a building. That can have a negative impact on home values.”

Several other residents were supportive of the project as proposed saying they’ve known from the beginning that additional buildings would be constructed.

“We knew when we bought our unit that others would be built in the future,” Tom Patterson said. “I like the plan to move the tennis courts.”

Each unit will have a single car garage with another parking space in each driveway. Garage-forward units are not permitted.

Plans for phase 2 include new tennis courts along with a second clubhouse and swimming pool area.

Access to phase 2 will be within the development and an access to Kallner Lane will be installed. No new access points will be constructed off River Lakes Parkway.

During the Whitefish Planning Board public hearing, the construction timeline for the new tennis courts and an additional clubhouse and pool became a sticking point. Council asked for clarification on the matter.

McLeod said the existing tennis courts will remain in place until eight units are sold in the new buildings, which would prompt removal of the courts and subsequent construction. He said the tennis courts will likely remain in place through this season and new courts would be built next summer.

He noted that the pool and clubhouse will come later in the development after there are units constructed with homeowners to use the new facility.