Whitefish planning commission keeps public comment open, votes to reconvene May 5 after notice confusion

Chair opened a special planning commission meeting April 29 and, after a public speaker raised concerns that the agenda listed the wrong weekday, commissioners debated whether they should make formal decisions tonight or delay action until a properly noticed meeting.

Richard Dillner, who introduced himself from 104 5th Street, told the commission the meeting "appears improperly noticed" because the agenda said Thursday, April 29, when in fact the correct date is Wednesday. Council staff and other commissioners said a correction had been posted through Engage Whitefish and that the legal notice in the paper showed the correct day. Angie, a city staff member, said a correction had been sent and that the preliminary agenda and city website carried the correct date.

Commissioners weighed the legal sufficiency of the notice against the practical reality that many residents had six days to review roughly 100 pages of proposed code changes. The commission voted to keep the public comment period open, avoid making final recommendations at the April 29 meeting, and reconvene on Tuesday, May 5 at 6:00 p.m. to continue public comment and consider motions. Planning staff said the packet and a YouTube link would be made available to help the public prepare.

The motion to reconvene was moved by Planning commissioner (speaker 8) and seconded by the Chair; the vote carried and the meeting was adjourned with public comment left open for May 5.