Board approves variance for Columbia Avenue house replacement; applicants to replace aging home

The Whitefish Community Development Board on July 17 approved a variance allowing property owners at 415 Columbia Avenue to replace an aging house on two substandard lots, reduce an existing encroachment into the north side yard, and permit lot coverage above the WR‑2 40 percent standard when combined with an existing garage.

Planner Lauren McDonald summarized the request, noting the existing house currently encroaches roughly 7.5 feet into the north side yard and crosses the property line. The proposed new house would move the structure so the north setback would be 5 feet 10 inches and the south setback 6 feet, an improvement over current conditions. McDonald said staff posted notice and received four comments: three in support and one in opposition, and that the staff report concluded the application met the variance findings.

Applicant Frank Lam (listed in the packet as the property owner) told the board the replacement would reorient the home so main entries face front and back rather than the sides, permit replacement of older sewer infrastructure (the applicant stated earlier lines are likely clay tile), and slightly increase total square footage while pulling the building back from lot lines. He said the proposed modular home sits on a foundation and is not a mobile home.

Board discussion touched on the scale of the proposed dwelling and whether modular construction is acceptable (staff: no restriction), and on public comments; the applicant said the opposition appeared to be premised on a misunderstanding that the project was a mobile home. Board member John described the application as a classic case where a variance is appropriate because the existing lot constraints predate current zoning; other board members echoed support.

A motion to approve the variance passed unanimously. The board and applicant discussed practical next steps including removal of the old foundation and the city connection of new sewer and water lines when demolition and reconstruction occur.