Whitefish ranch seeks permit for vintage market
Flathead County Board of Adjustment will hold a public hearing Tuesday to consider a conditional-use permit request for a “temporary use” that would allow a Whitefish area ranch to host a one-day vintage market event in July.
The Market Beautiful, on behalf of J&J Ranch, located at 1875 Voerman Road, asked for an administrative conditional-use permit to hold the event, but due to the number of comments in opposition to the project, “the file was determined to have issues that could not be mitigated via conditions of approval” and was forwarded to the Board of Adjustment for review and approval, according to the Planning Office staff report.
The Planning Office received 14 written comments within the required 15-day comment period, with all but one in opposition. Concerns primarily include traffic congestion, sight visibility along primary access roads, limited access for emergency vehicles, potential fires in the parking lawn, trash and the impact the use will have on the neighborhood, the staff report noted.
The property, located a half-mile east of Whitefish city limits, is zoned agricultural and falls within the Southeast Rural Whitefish Zoning District. The applicant is requesting a permit to allow a one-day antique and handmade market event on July 6. The market would be held primarily around the center of the 300-acre ranch.
The vintage market is expected to draw up to 2,000 attendees, and live music would be offered from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., according to the Planning Office Staff report.
The Market Beautiful was held on the same property last July, and although a temporary-use permit wasn’t received prior to conducting the market in 2018, no complaints were filed prior to or during the market, the staff report said.
According to The Market Beautiful website, more than three dozen vendors will be at the event. The vintage market takes place in Montana, Colorado, Mississippi and Utah and has been featured in Country Living and other publications.
The board also will consider a request for a conditional-use permit for a recreational facility to allow for weddings on a 76-acre property at 264 El Rancho Road east of Kalispell. The request was submitted by Forest Nelson on behalf of Gregory and Gina Nelson. The property, which falls within the Eastside Zoning District, is zoned agricultural.
The Board of Adjustment meets at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 2, in the second-floor conference room of the South Campus Building, 40 11th St. W. in Kalispell. Board of Adjustment decisions are considered final.
Reporter Kianna Gardner can be reached at 758-4439 or kgardner@dailyinterlake.com.