Brewery, B&B don't fit zoning regs

My home, the home of my mother, and Susan Prilliman’s home on Third Street West are adjacent to Ryan Zinke’s main house, the proposed “Snow Frog Inn.” A fence is the only buffer separating our backyards.

At the recent city planning board meeting, I expressed my concern that Zinke’s proposed inn and microbrewery might encourage a party atmosphere that would disrupt the quiet enjoyment of our WR2-zoned neighborhood, and specifically, the homes in close proximity.

During the meeting, a half-dozen neighbors expressed concerns about Zinke’s project that also mirrored those concerns expressed by staff planner, Wendy Compton-Ring.

The first order of business that evening was discussing a tower to be installed on the mountain. All of the neighbors in proximity of the tower had been properly informed of its location and no one appeared in opposition of the project. Planning board member Dennis Konopatzke expressed concern over the possibility that the O’Briant family might see the tower from their home, thus obscuring their view. The family had been informed and had not expressed concern, yet the planning board perused maps and discussed the issue for nearly half an hour before deciding the O’Briants must be re-notified even though it was decided the tower would in fact not impair the O’Briants view after all.

I was impressed by the thoroughness of the planning board on this issue and looked forward to a thoughtful and similarly comprehensive dialogue about the Zinke project.

Zinke presented his proposal followed by a barrage of concerned neighbors and the recommendation from the city planner to reject the proposal outright. Our questions and concerns were barely acknowledged by the planning board with the exception of Mary Vail. She also had “concerns” about the project and voted against it. She, like each of us, was ignored and the “Snow Frog Inn” and “Double Tap Brewery” passed.

We do not have mansions on the mountain, but we do have properties in Whitefish that we love and have invested our hearts and souls in. We enjoy our quiet, old-fashioned neighborhood and plan on residing here the rest of our lives.

The Zinkes are moving from their home which is really too bad as they were great neighbors. The problem is their plans for their property may significantly affect the neighborhood they are leaving behind. The PUD proposed does not fit within zoning regulations. I believe a corridor study must be done before considering any major changes in this neighborhood.

The planning board’s job is to review all considerations involved with new developments and make unbiased and fair decisions based on those factors.

That is not what happened at this particular meeting. The planning board had made up their minds before they even entered the room that night and it was not open for any discussion.

— Laira Fonner