A proposal to construct two apartment buildings on property between East Eighth Street and East Seventh Street has been submitted to the City of Whitefish.

Central Ave WF has requested two administrative conditional use permit to develop two 18-unit apartment buildings. The south building would be located on Eighth Street and the north building on Seventh Street, along with a clubhouse on the property. Mick Ruis is listed as the developer of the project, according to the application with the city.

The request seeks to construct the buildings on two lots for a total of 36 units and of that six would be set aside as deed-restricted affordable rentals under the city’s inclusionary zoning regulations.

The property currently contains a single-family home and is located just west of the Church of the Nazarene and the Whitefish Christian Academy. The property is zoned WR-4 or high density multi-family residential.

Both buildings would be two-stories at 35-feet in height. Total units between the two building would include 12 two-bedroom units, eight one-bedroom units and 16 studio apartments.

The plan calls for creating 52 parking spaces for the two buildings, along with landscaping, bike racks and benches. Sidewalks would be extended along the property and Eight Street would be reconstructed for two-way traffic.

“The project is located on an infill site within walking distances of the schools, downtown and other services such as grocery stores and public facilities limiting the needed car usage,” the developer notes in the application.

The developer says the project fits within the neighborhood because it’s located between single-family residences and commercial uses, and is near other multi-family buildings on Pine Avenue.

The traffic study for the project estimated that 196 new daily vehicle tips would be created as a result of the project and that no roadway capacity problems would be created in the area and no mitigation would be necessary.

The deed-restricted affordable units would be located in both buildings, with three in each. The developer is setting aside units targeted for households making 70% of area median income.

Two studio units would be set aside renting for $854 per month. Two one-bedroom units would be rented at $914 per month, and two two-bedroom units would rent for $1,019 per month.

The complete application may be reviewed at the Whitefish Planning and Building Department at City Hall.

Written or oral comments concerning the request are being accepted by Friday, Nov. 22 and should be directed to the Whitefish Planning and Building Department, P.O. Box 158, Whitefish, Montana, 59937, or emailed to [email protected], or by calling (406) 863-2410.

In the event concerns cannot be mitigated through conditions of approval or the granting of the permit would adversely or injuriously affect a personal or legal interest, Zoning Administrator Dave Taylor may schedule the matter before the Planning Board and City Council for final approval.