The Whitefish Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval for a zone change and a conditional use permit last week. Both matters are scheduled to be heard by the City Council on May 4. 

Averill Hospitality requested a zone change for two lots near The Lodge at Whitefish Lake, which are currently developed with single-family homes and accessory structures for the resort. 

The change is from WR3 to the general resort business district. 

Whitefish City Planner Lauren Macdonald told the commission the request would have no effect on the marina. 

“Any amendments to the marina would be a PUD amendment which would be separately notified and go through its process,” Macdonald said.  

Justin Doll, representative for the company, said the intent of the zoning change request is to come back for a planned unit development process once they make a master plan. 

“We envision components that support the existing resort and complement what exists today,” Doll said. “We will not be asking for any additional boat slips.” 

The commission voted unanimously to recommend approval. 

It also voted to recommend a request from the Whitefish Assembly of God church for a conditional use permit to build a 4,350-square-foot youth facility on its 20-acre property at 150 Lamb Lane. 

Ron Nash with Montana Creative Architecture and Design, a church representative, said they’d like to provide 29 parking spots, rather than the 77 they had listed in the application. 

“We are more than happy; we are excited, in fact, to reduce the parking to what is there currently,” Nash said.  

Two requests for variances to the height and setback standards were approved for retaining walls -- one to the Adams Family Trust’s property on Prairiesmoke Circle and one for Alex Thompson for a property on Lakeshore Drive. 

Tompson’s request for a variance for a deck was denied, per the staff’s recommendation. 

Applicant Pete Krumsieg was granted his request for a variance to the lakeshore protection zone buffer setback requirements to construct a new house. 

Ted and Durae Belcer were granted their request for a variance to the setbacks so they can construct a carport on the east side of their home on West Eighth Street. 

The Planning Commission has a special meeting scheduled for April 29 at 6 p.m. and its next regular meeting is May 21.