New building planned in downtown Whitefish

A new mixed-use building plan has emerged for a prime spot on Whitefish’s Central Avenue where the former Lakestream Fly Shop operated.

That building, an older home that was converted to commercial use decades ago, will be moved off the premises, according to an application filed with the Whitefish Planning Department. Earlier this year Fresh Life Church wanted to build a mixed-use church and retail building at that site but was turned down by the Whitefish City Council.

Now property owner Bill Goldberg is proposing a three-story building that would offer retail space fronting Central Avenue on the first floor, with two residences on the alleyway side. The second and third floors would be all residential units, with a mix of nine studio, one- and two-bedroom units on the second floor and three residential units on the third floor offering more bedrooms per unit, according to Goldberg’s application filed with the Whitefish Planning Department.

Goldberg proposes a parking garage in the basement for 20 vehicles, with elevator access.

The building would have rooftop access and a small patio in the center of the structure, with area for a hot tub, the application states.

The business zoning in that area doesn’t allow residential units on a ground floor, but the application explains a stepped building design that is configured to meet the city’s height and story requirements.

That area of Central Avenue is on the south fringe of the downtown business district. The city’s downtown master plan calls for commercial and mixed-use development at an appropriate urban scale on the south end of Central.

A conditional-use permit is required to build the proposed 8,205-square-foot building because it exceeds 7,500 square feet and has more than four residential units in the WB-3 zone, the Old Town Central District.

The Whitefish Planning Board will hold a public hearing on Goldberg’s proposal at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 15, at Whitefish City Hall. The board’s recommendation will be forwarded to the Whitefish City Council for another public hearing and final decision.

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