A new car dealership has gotten approval to operate in the former Depratu car dealership site on U.S. Highway 93.

City Council last week approved a conditional use permit for the Wolf Auto Group to sue the commercial building and property for an auto sales and service business. The property had been used for a car dealership for about 30 years before sitting empty in recent years.

The Wolf Auto Group includes car dealerships in Buffalo, Wyoming, and Jackson, Wyoming.

Brad Wolf said the company operates its dealerships in resort towns so Whitefish has a familiar feel.

“The building has sat vacant and has begun to deteriorate so we’re going to fix that,” he said. “We care about the property and the people. We want to create a good product that will cater to the community.”

Wolf said while the current plan only includes the car dealership, the family may also look at adding residential buildings to the eastern portion of the property and another business may be added on the south edge.

As part of the CUP, Council chose to place a requirement on the permit that landscaping would be required along the eastern edge of the property to serve as a buffer between the car dealership and the nearby residential neighborhood.

Concerns from nearby neighbors were raised at the planning board about creating a buffer between the dealship and the residential area.

Councilor Frank Sweeney suggested that the landscaping include boulevard trees since those would also be required if that part becomes residential. However, Council left it up to city staff to approve the specifics of the landscaping there.

Phil Wolf pointed out that the property’s landscaping along U.S. Highway 93 already exceeds the necessary requirements for the property.

“That landscaping has become overgrown, but we’re working to bring it back,” he noted. “Landscaping on the east side of the property could eventually get torn up if it’s developed.”