Firebrand Hotel in downtown Whitefish plans to expand its building footprint by enclosing a 588-square-foot outdoor patio to create an indoor dining area. The change requires a conditional-use permit that will be considered during a public hearing Thursday before the Whitefish Planning Board.

The outside patio on the north side of the building was underutilized, so the Whitefish Hotel Group intends to remove the gas fireplaces and convert the space for indoor use, according to the Planning Office staff report. There is adequate space between the building and the adjacent Second Street right of way for the expansion, the report notes, and the proposal meets the requirements of the zoning regulations in that area for setbacks, parking and site suitability.

The Planning Board has a lengthy agenda that includes five other public hearings, two of which deal with more subdivision growth in Whitefish

IO2.5 LLC is asking for a preliminary plat and conditional-use permit for a nine-lot subdivision — three two-unit homes and one three-unit townhome — at undeveloped property at 2041 River Lakes Parkway. The property is zoned for high-density multifamily residential development and has a planned-unit development overlay.

Sage Partners LLC is asking for a preliminary plat for a six-lot subdivision at 415 ½ Colorado Ave. The property is undeveloped and is split-zoned for low-density multifamily residential and two-family residential.

Under old business, the board will decide a request by the city for a zoning text amendment to implement the Whitefish Legacy Homes program. This proposal was heard in public hearing March 21; the public hearing was closed, but the request was continued for further board discussion and a vote.

The Legacy Homes proposal imposes inclusionary zoning and requires certain new developments such as subdivisions, residential or mixed-us planned-unit developments and multifamily or mixed-use projects requiring conditional-use permits to deed restrict 20 percent new units for permanent affordability for moderate income households.

Two other public hearings deal with the city’s Legacy Homes program. The city is asking to amend various sections of the zoning regulations to implement the Legacy Homes program, and is asking for a zoning text amendment as a companion to the zoning for affordability aspect of the program, which would add a new chapter to the city’s zoning regulations called Multi-family Development Standards.

The Planning Board meets at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 18, at Whitefish City Hall, 418 E. Second St.

News Editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or lhintze@dailyinterlake.com.