Zoning change closer on Mont. 40

Three years after a group of businessmen initiated their request for a commercial center on Montana 40, their properties are one step closer to being in compliance with zoning.

The Whitefish City Council on Monday approved a first reading to change the zoning of land on both sides of the highway at Dillon and Conn roads from agricultural and country-residential to "business service district."

To reach this point, the businessmen had to request a new growth policy designation, have their property redesignated, request a new zoning class called business service district and, finally, have their land rezoned.

In other business Monday, the council:

n Amended the city budget to include two recently announced law enforcement grants. The Montana Board of Crime Control awarded the city $22,500 to pay overtime and part-time officers. The city's match is $2,500.

The U.S. Department of Justice awarded the city $15,969 so the city can conduct video arraignments.

The equipment, which already is in use, saves the cost of transporting prisoners from the Flathead County Detention Center in Kalispell to Whitefish Municipal Court. There is no local match.

n Unanimously approved a request by Launching Eagle LLC for a guest house on Dakota Avenue.

n Unanimously adopted a schedule of fees for various municipal infractions.

The council earlier adopted a new enforcement system that allows the city to prosecute violations as both infractions and misdemeanors.

The fee schedule runs the gamut from business license, resort tax and zoning violations to public nuisances, weeds, parking, animal control, snow removal and skateboarding.

n Learned the lot between the Whitefish Library and the train depot now will offer unlimited parking except at night.