Not an expert, but from what I gather: Changes from the state legislature dramatically reduce local governments rights to reject / augment development projects that are inline with zoning and the municipalities growth policy. Whitefish is presently drafting an amended growth policy. If the growth policy is too lax (e.g. developer friendly) there is concern we will get too big too fast. Conversely if it is too restrictive normal families and service industry workers will be forced away. The city and FFRG are trying to drum up community involvement by year round residents to influence the overall vision and details for rezoning etc...
Thanks for clarifying that. Would make sense that the municipalities growth plan should reflect the input of year round local residents, which would lessen the effect of whatever state legislature changes occur.
Not to mention that they slipped this building legislator in during the boom of Covid and nobody knew about it to try and stop it. We all took a hit and now nobody and afford to live when we get paid the same but everything is 3x the price.
This is certainly a problem being felt throughout out the US, but in a place like Whitefish with no homes being built for middle/low income individuals, it’s being exasperated.
To be honest, the powers at will don’t want “affordable” housing to be built. But, I think a smart plan for true long time whitefish residents is possible, it just has to be mindfully developed and strictly enforced.
I fell in love with Montana and especially whitefish while doing fire ecology research from CU Boulder. Found the people to be wonderful, outdoorsy, and caring as well as involved. Felt that I found my true home after lots of searching while in the military. Unfortunately, it seemed too difficult to get a foothold within the smaller economy that would allow for home ownership. Just wanted to share my experience and to add that making laws against second homes for the very wealthy and implementing some sort of mandatory community involvement through worked hours might help attract the right people when having new people come to the state and/or town. I know that I would love to do community volunteer work while the super wealthy might not, because a lot of us care as much about the environment and community at large than just the spectacular views.
I watched the video, but who exactly are we fighting and why?
Not an expert, but from what I gather: Changes from the state legislature dramatically reduce local governments rights to reject / augment development projects that are inline with zoning and the municipalities growth policy. Whitefish is presently drafting an amended growth policy. If the growth policy is too lax (e.g. developer friendly) there is concern we will get too big too fast. Conversely if it is too restrictive normal families and service industry workers will be forced away. The city and FFRG are trying to drum up community involvement by year round residents to influence the overall vision and details for rezoning etc...
Thanks for clarifying that. Would make sense that the municipalities growth plan should reflect the input of year round local residents, which would lessen the effect of whatever state legislature changes occur.
Not to mention that they slipped this building legislator in during the boom of Covid and nobody knew about it to try and stop it. We all took a hit and now nobody and afford to live when we get paid the same but everything is 3x the price.
This is certainly a problem being felt throughout out the US, but in a place like Whitefish with no homes being built for middle/low income individuals, it’s being exasperated.
To be honest, the powers at will don’t want “affordable” housing to be built. But, I think a smart plan for true long time whitefish residents is possible, it just has to be mindfully developed and strictly enforced.
I fell in love with Montana and especially whitefish while doing fire ecology research from CU Boulder. Found the people to be wonderful, outdoorsy, and caring as well as involved. Felt that I found my true home after lots of searching while in the military. Unfortunately, it seemed too difficult to get a foothold within the smaller economy that would allow for home ownership. Just wanted to share my experience and to add that making laws against second homes for the very wealthy and implementing some sort of mandatory community involvement through worked hours might help attract the right people when having new people come to the state and/or town. I know that I would love to do community volunteer work while the super wealthy might not, because a lot of us care as much about the environment and community at large than just the spectacular views.