Lakeshore Protection Committee seeks council direction on letters to county over shoreline development

Toby Scott, representing the Lakeshore Protection Committee, asked the Whitefish City Council for direction on two draft letters addressing shoreline development and violations observed along Whitefish Lake.

Scott summarized the committee’s jurisdiction (high water up 20 feet plus an additional 20‑foot zone) and said some lake‑edge activity falls outside city limits, which complicates enforcement. He described prior outreach to county officials and said a previous legislative effort to expand jurisdiction to the entire lake did not pass committee review; the committee plans to reword the proposal for the next legislative session.

Scott asked whether the letters should come from the Lakeshore Protection Committee or the City Council. Councilors and staff discussed phrasing and agreed the planning staff should work with the committee to refine the letters. Several councilors recommended the letters come from both the council and the Lakeshore Protection Committee to carry weight with county commissioners, and the mayor said staff would circle back with the committee on next steps.

No formal council vote was recorded; council indicated support for staff‑assisted submission and continued coordination with county contacts.