A final decision is expected tonight on the Firebrand Hotel’s quest to install a rooftop hot tub.

The Whitefish City Council two weeks ago continued a public hearing in light of a letter from the hotel owner’s lawyer that alerted the city the owner has a claim against the city “for substantial monetary damages” if the city doesn’t allow the hot tub.

The rooftop hot tub proposal has become a contested issue between city officials and the developers of the downtown hotel that opened in August. Whitefish Zoning Administrator David Taylor and the Board of Adjustment both denied the rooftop location. The Planning Board and city planning staff also have recommended the hot tub not be allowed on the roof. Neighbors of the hotel oppose it because of potential noise.

The planning staff is standing firm by its recommendation to not amend a conditional approval to accommodate the hot tub.

Firebrand Hotel is owned by Montana Development Group, which includes members of the Averill family that also own The Lodge at Whitefish Lake. The developer also has been known as Whitefish Hotel Group and Averill Hospitality.

A public hearing to annex 82.7 acres of wholly surrounded land on Ramsey Avenue is scheduled. The property includes 44 properties.

The council has three other public hearings to consider rezoning property from county to city zoning. The properties are located at 2045 Lion Mountain Loop Road, 835 W. Seventh St. and a small parcel of unaddressed land off U.S. 93 West.

The council will take a look at two proposals to lease space in the forthcoming parking structure. The lease space, 2,824 square feet in the southwest corner of the parking structure at the corner of East First Street and Baker Avenue, was earmarked in the downtown master plan as ground-floor retail space. A year ago the council approved capitalizing three years of lease revenue from this lease and using $162,000 of tax-increment funds to put into the cost of the parking structure.

The city anticipates getting at least $54,000 annually from lease revenue.

Glacier Sotheby International Realty proposes to lease the entire space in a five-year lease, with options to renew for two additional five-year terms, at an initial rate of $19.50 per square foot.

The other proposal is from the Pig and Olive Sandwich Shoppe, which wants to lease half of the space for $18 per square foot. City staff has outlined the strengths and weaknesses of both proposals.

During a work session at 5:30 p.m. the council will review growth boundary maps as a prelude to revisions of the extension of services plan.

The council also will review and give direction on comments to send to Flathead County regarding the proposed U.S. 93 South Corridor Plan.

Both the work session and regular meeting, which starts at 7:10 p.m. will be held at the interim City Hall, 1005 Baker Ave., in Whitefish.

Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by email at lhintze@dailyinterlake.com.