VISION WHITEFISH 2045

WELCOME TO THE VISION WHITEFISH 2045 PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT SITE!

This website will serve as the resource for all things related to the Growth Policy and will allow you to participate right from this website! In order to utilize all the tools and receive news and updates, please register and subscribe to this site. Look to the frequently asked questions (FAQs) for information about this project and how to engage on this website.

VISION WHITEFISH 2045 IS THE DOCUMENT THAT WILL GUIDE OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH GROWTH AND CHANGE FOR THE NEXT 20 YEARS AND WE NEED YOUR VOICE TO MAKE THIS PLAN TRULY REPRESENTATIVE OF WHITEFISH!

WELCOME TO THE VISION WHITEFISH 2045 PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT SITE!

VISION WHITEFISH 2045 IS THE DOCUMENT THAT WILL GUIDE OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH GROWTH AND CHANGE FOR THE NEXT 20 YEARS AND WE NEED YOUR VOICE TO MAKE THIS PLAN TRULY REPRESENTATIVE OF WHITEFISH!

Have any questions or concerns about the Growth Policy Update? Contact us here!

Share Alan, you should include where comments can be sent when asking for public input n this website. on Facebook Share Alan, you should include where comments can be sent when asking for public input n this website. on Twitter Share Alan, you should include where comments can be sent when asking for public input n this website. on Linkedin Email Alan, you should include where comments can be sent when asking for public input n this website. link

Alan, you should include where comments can be sent when asking for public input n this website.

JanCan asked 8 days ago

Good point. I will try to remember to include my email on all future newsletter alerts and newsfeeds. My email is:

atiefenbach@cityofwhitefish.org
Share What is the name of the firm that the city hired to lead the Land Use section? on Facebook Share What is the name of the firm that the city hired to lead the Land Use section? on Twitter Share What is the name of the firm that the city hired to lead the Land Use section? on Linkedin Email What is the name of the firm that the city hired to lead the Land Use section? link

What is the name of the firm that the city hired to lead the Land Use section?

JanCan asked 7 days ago

The city hired czb, LLC for the land use section.
https://www.czb.org/
Share When comments are sent to Alan Tiefenbach does he send them on to the Planning Commission members? on Facebook Share When comments are sent to Alan Tiefenbach does he send them on to the Planning Commission members? on Twitter Share When comments are sent to Alan Tiefenbach does he send them on to the Planning Commission members? on Linkedin Email When comments are sent to Alan Tiefenbach does he send them on to the Planning Commission members? link

When comments are sent to Alan Tiefenbach does he send them on to the Planning Commission members?

JanCan asked 7 days ago

Comments emailed to Alan Tiefenbach are always provided to the Planning Commission. Questions or comments made on this site are answered publicly but are not forwarded to the Planning Commission.
Share Can the public get a working copy of the transportation element to review before it goes before the planning commission? on Facebook Share Can the public get a working copy of the transportation element to review before it goes before the planning commission? on Twitter Share Can the public get a working copy of the transportation element to review before it goes before the planning commission? on Linkedin Email Can the public get a working copy of the transportation element to review before it goes before the planning commission? link

Can the public get a working copy of the transportation element to review before it goes before the planning commission?

JanCan asked 21 days ago

Hi there! We anticipate the draft transportation element going out for public review in the next week. The Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for November 5. Thanks for staying involved!
Share I understand that the Land Use meetings held this week were recorded. Will they be available on this site? on Facebook Share I understand that the Land Use meetings held this week were recorded. Will they be available on this site? on Twitter Share I understand that the Land Use meetings held this week were recorded. Will they be available on this site? on Linkedin Email I understand that the Land Use meetings held this week were recorded. Will they be available on this site? link

I understand that the Land Use meetings held this week were recorded. Will they be available on this site?

JanCan asked about 1 month ago

Hi there!

The Land Use meetings were NOT recorded, at least on video. This is because that would have required six different people with cameras at each table. The results of the meetings and the maps will be documented. We expect to see the results of the meetings in November.
Share Can the public attend the Growth Policy meetings held on the 3rd Wednesdays of the month? If so, can they ask questions? on Facebook Share Can the public attend the Growth Policy meetings held on the 3rd Wednesdays of the month? If so, can they ask questions? on Twitter Share Can the public attend the Growth Policy meetings held on the 3rd Wednesdays of the month? If so, can they ask questions? on Linkedin Email Can the public attend the Growth Policy meetings held on the 3rd Wednesdays of the month? If so, can they ask questions? link

Can the public attend the Growth Policy meetings held on the 3rd Wednesdays of the month? If so, can they ask questions?

JanCan asked 29 days ago

Of course! The public is welcomed and encouraged to attend these meetings! There are always multiple opportunities for the public to comment at these meetings. The next meetings are scheduled for Wednesday, October 1 at 6PM to discuss the water and sewer sections and Wednesday, November 5 at 6PM to discuss the transportation element.
Share When can the community comment on the Growth Policy? on Facebook Share When can the community comment on the Growth Policy? on Twitter Share When can the community comment on the Growth Policy? on Linkedin Email When can the community comment on the Growth Policy? link

When can the community comment on the Growth Policy?

JanCan asked about 1 month ago

Being subscribed to this website is a good start!

Every time staff posts a new draft plan section, an alert is sent to all subscribers to the site with a link to the plan section. There is a deadline for public comment listed. You can comment directly to Alan Tiefenbach at atiefenbach@cityofwhitefish.gov or you can comment in the same way you did here. There will also be an announcement in the newsfeed on this website.
Also, there are regularly scheduled Vision Whitefish 2045 Meetings on the first and third Wednesdays of the month at 6PM. The content of these meetings is announced on this website and you can attend in person or remotely via Teams. The link to the virtual meeting is posted at least one week in advance of the meeting.

Presently, the Planning Commission (previously the Community Development Board) is working through the plan section by section. At the beginning of 2026, there will be a compiled and completed draft being discussed by both the Planning Commission and the City Council in numerous work sessions and public meetings.
Public comment at all Vision Whitefish 2045 is always welcomed!
Share Alan, I attended the recent Land Use meeting last Tuesday. The agenda said we would be working on current and future land use issues. I only heard 1 future issue mentioned, Columbia Ave. Why weren’t more future issues brought forth? Also when is the next Public meeting for Land Use discussion? Thank you Alan. Janice McCann on Facebook Share Alan, I attended the recent Land Use meeting last Tuesday. The agenda said we would be working on current and future land use issues. I only heard 1 future issue mentioned, Columbia Ave. Why weren’t more future issues brought forth? Also when is the next Public meeting for Land Use discussion? Thank you Alan. Janice McCann on Twitter Share Alan, I attended the recent Land Use meeting last Tuesday. The agenda said we would be working on current and future land use issues. I only heard 1 future issue mentioned, Columbia Ave. Why weren’t more future issues brought forth? Also when is the next Public meeting for Land Use discussion? Thank you Alan. Janice McCann on Linkedin Email Alan, I attended the recent Land Use meeting last Tuesday. The agenda said we would be working on current and future land use issues. I only heard 1 future issue mentioned, Columbia Ave. Why weren’t more future issues brought forth? Also when is the next Public meeting for Land Use discussion? Thank you Alan. Janice McCann link

Alan, I attended the recent Land Use meeting last Tuesday. The agenda said we would be working on current and future land use issues. I only heard 1 future issue mentioned, Columbia Ave. Why weren’t more future issues brought forth? Also when is the next Public meeting for Land Use discussion? Thank you Alan. Janice McCann

JanCan asked about 1 month ago

Hi there!

The recent land use meeting was not intended to work on current and future land use issues. The purpose of the sessions was to collaboratively map the city of Whitefish and distinguish specific areas on the basis of land uses and development character. . This will be used to develop future land use and development scenarios. We expect the next discussions on land use to occur in November.
Share Hi, I’m trying to find the environmental section that discusses the fireworks policy over Whitefish Lake. Perhaps it is not included. There has been a lot of discussion for many years of a non-toxic approach. I’d like to see this discussed during the growth policy review. on Facebook Share Hi, I’m trying to find the environmental section that discusses the fireworks policy over Whitefish Lake. Perhaps it is not included. There has been a lot of discussion for many years of a non-toxic approach. I’d like to see this discussed during the growth policy review. on Twitter Share Hi, I’m trying to find the environmental section that discusses the fireworks policy over Whitefish Lake. Perhaps it is not included. There has been a lot of discussion for many years of a non-toxic approach. I’d like to see this discussed during the growth policy review. on Linkedin Email Hi, I’m trying to find the environmental section that discusses the fireworks policy over Whitefish Lake. Perhaps it is not included. There has been a lot of discussion for many years of a non-toxic approach. I’d like to see this discussed during the growth policy review. link

Hi, I’m trying to find the environmental section that discusses the fireworks policy over Whitefish Lake. Perhaps it is not included. There has been a lot of discussion for many years of a non-toxic approach. I’d like to see this discussed during the growth policy review.

JanCan asked 10 months ago

Thanks for this excellent comment! The environment section does not currently address this issue, but it does appear this has been a discussion topic over the years. We will look at adding a brief reference and possibly a recommendation to continue to explore more environmentally-friendly options.

fireworks
fireworks
Share Hi, I am working on the WF Shelter / AARP competition and as part of the competition we have a lot we are pretending to develop across the street from Super 1 and McDonalds. It is at the NE corner of 93 and Greenwood road at - 6545 Highway 93 South. The competitors are also being asked to include an understanding for Vision Whitefish 2045 - So I have some questions for you. Starting with this, it looks like this lot is in the Downtown Historic Neighborhoods Quadrant. So when I reference the latest visioning PDF I see that people in the area of this lot value in order of descending importance 1. Historic Neighborhoods, 2. Downtown and then 3. Walkable/Trails. So am I right to think people here - across Greenwood from Super 1 - would like new neighborhoods in this area that feel historic and have a downtown feel like downtown Whitefish and surrounding neighborhoods? Or is Super 1 and its neighbors really not in the Downtown Historic Neighborhoods Quadrant? By this I mean are there really two quadrants in one. The Downtown Historic Neighborhoods Quadrant is north of the split where 93 changes to Spokane (I'm assuming this is effectively at the river although the lanes get cut down a little south of it), and the other quadrant is part of the 4 lane long tail of 93 south from the river to highway 40? In short - does the 2045 project see this area integrated in design with the area currently north of the river so the transition at Spokane street should feel seamless? I'm sorry to dig into the details here, but this is important for the design I am doing for that lot and the surrounding area. Thanks, -Mark on Facebook Share Hi, I am working on the WF Shelter / AARP competition and as part of the competition we have a lot we are pretending to develop across the street from Super 1 and McDonalds. It is at the NE corner of 93 and Greenwood road at - 6545 Highway 93 South. The competitors are also being asked to include an understanding for Vision Whitefish 2045 - So I have some questions for you. Starting with this, it looks like this lot is in the Downtown Historic Neighborhoods Quadrant. So when I reference the latest visioning PDF I see that people in the area of this lot value in order of descending importance 1. Historic Neighborhoods, 2. Downtown and then 3. Walkable/Trails. So am I right to think people here - across Greenwood from Super 1 - would like new neighborhoods in this area that feel historic and have a downtown feel like downtown Whitefish and surrounding neighborhoods? Or is Super 1 and its neighbors really not in the Downtown Historic Neighborhoods Quadrant? By this I mean are there really two quadrants in one. The Downtown Historic Neighborhoods Quadrant is north of the split where 93 changes to Spokane (I'm assuming this is effectively at the river although the lanes get cut down a little south of it), and the other quadrant is part of the 4 lane long tail of 93 south from the river to highway 40? In short - does the 2045 project see this area integrated in design with the area currently north of the river so the transition at Spokane street should feel seamless? I'm sorry to dig into the details here, but this is important for the design I am doing for that lot and the surrounding area. Thanks, -Mark on Twitter Share Hi, I am working on the WF Shelter / AARP competition and as part of the competition we have a lot we are pretending to develop across the street from Super 1 and McDonalds. It is at the NE corner of 93 and Greenwood road at - 6545 Highway 93 South. The competitors are also being asked to include an understanding for Vision Whitefish 2045 - So I have some questions for you. Starting with this, it looks like this lot is in the Downtown Historic Neighborhoods Quadrant. So when I reference the latest visioning PDF I see that people in the area of this lot value in order of descending importance 1. Historic Neighborhoods, 2. Downtown and then 3. Walkable/Trails. So am I right to think people here - across Greenwood from Super 1 - would like new neighborhoods in this area that feel historic and have a downtown feel like downtown Whitefish and surrounding neighborhoods? Or is Super 1 and its neighbors really not in the Downtown Historic Neighborhoods Quadrant? By this I mean are there really two quadrants in one. The Downtown Historic Neighborhoods Quadrant is north of the split where 93 changes to Spokane (I'm assuming this is effectively at the river although the lanes get cut down a little south of it), and the other quadrant is part of the 4 lane long tail of 93 south from the river to highway 40? In short - does the 2045 project see this area integrated in design with the area currently north of the river so the transition at Spokane street should feel seamless? I'm sorry to dig into the details here, but this is important for the design I am doing for that lot and the surrounding area. Thanks, -Mark on Linkedin Email Hi, I am working on the WF Shelter / AARP competition and as part of the competition we have a lot we are pretending to develop across the street from Super 1 and McDonalds. It is at the NE corner of 93 and Greenwood road at - 6545 Highway 93 South. The competitors are also being asked to include an understanding for Vision Whitefish 2045 - So I have some questions for you. Starting with this, it looks like this lot is in the Downtown Historic Neighborhoods Quadrant. So when I reference the latest visioning PDF I see that people in the area of this lot value in order of descending importance 1. Historic Neighborhoods, 2. Downtown and then 3. Walkable/Trails. So am I right to think people here - across Greenwood from Super 1 - would like new neighborhoods in this area that feel historic and have a downtown feel like downtown Whitefish and surrounding neighborhoods? Or is Super 1 and its neighbors really not in the Downtown Historic Neighborhoods Quadrant? By this I mean are there really two quadrants in one. The Downtown Historic Neighborhoods Quadrant is north of the split where 93 changes to Spokane (I'm assuming this is effectively at the river although the lanes get cut down a little south of it), and the other quadrant is part of the 4 lane long tail of 93 south from the river to highway 40? In short - does the 2045 project see this area integrated in design with the area currently north of the river so the transition at Spokane street should feel seamless? I'm sorry to dig into the details here, but this is important for the design I am doing for that lot and the surrounding area. Thanks, -Mark link

Hi, I am working on the WF Shelter / AARP competition and as part of the competition we have a lot we are pretending to develop across the street from Super 1 and McDonalds. It is at the NE corner of 93 and Greenwood road at - 6545 Highway 93 South. The competitors are also being asked to include an understanding for Vision Whitefish 2045 - So I have some questions for you. Starting with this, it looks like this lot is in the Downtown Historic Neighborhoods Quadrant. So when I reference the latest visioning PDF I see that people in the area of this lot value in order of descending importance 1. Historic Neighborhoods, 2. Downtown and then 3. Walkable/Trails. So am I right to think people here - across Greenwood from Super 1 - would like new neighborhoods in this area that feel historic and have a downtown feel like downtown Whitefish and surrounding neighborhoods? Or is Super 1 and its neighbors really not in the Downtown Historic Neighborhoods Quadrant? By this I mean are there really two quadrants in one. The Downtown Historic Neighborhoods Quadrant is north of the split where 93 changes to Spokane (I'm assuming this is effectively at the river although the lanes get cut down a little south of it), and the other quadrant is part of the 4 lane long tail of 93 south from the river to highway 40? In short - does the 2045 project see this area integrated in design with the area currently north of the river so the transition at Spokane street should feel seamless? I'm sorry to dig into the details here, but this is important for the design I am doing for that lot and the surrounding area. Thanks, -Mark

Mark Waldo asked about 1 year ago

Thanks for the great question, Mark.
It is correct that historic neighborhoods, downtown and walkable / trails ranked high in this quadrant during visioning. However, we interpret this to mean residents put high value on the existing historic neighborhoods and downtown and the importance of ensuring the preservation of as much of this character as possible, and / or new development being consistent and compatible adjacent to and within those areas. For the most part, these areas are north of E. 6th St.
The area I believe you are referring to is the old hospital property which is an area of very different character. You probably have more design flexibility as there isn't a unified theme here - although I would mention the importance that any development on this property would be a major development and would set the precedent for future design. In that area, visioning comments included trail connections, walkabilty, housing and business incubators, a bridge over the river and even a transit hub.

Please note we will not specifically be discussing land use, housing, design and character until Spring 2025. However, that area is within Segment B of the Hwy 93 South Corridor Plan. I recommend you consult that plan.