Ramsey subdivision plat extended for third time

A two-year plat extension for a proposed subdivision on Ramsey Avenue was approved last week by Whitefish City Council, marking the third extension granted for the project.

The Ramsey Lakeview preliminary plat is a four-lot townhouse subdivision on 0.63 acres of undeveloped land.

A preliminary plat requested by Michael Collins was first approved on Sept. 4, 2007. In 2010, an extension was granted until 2011. In June of 2011, an additional 24-month extension was granted, which was set to expire in September of this year.

“It’s no secret that we went through five years of downturn,” Collins told council Aug. 19. “Things are improving and we’d like to move forward.”

After motioning for approval, councilor Phil Mitchell said the city has been granting extensions for subdivisions that have remained idle due to the recession.

“We’ve been doing this the last year or two,” he said. “I don’t have a problem with one more extension. To be fair with other plats, this is just one more.”

Frank Sweeney said that while he isn’t attracted to the development, he doesn’t see a reason not to support the extension.

John Anderson was the lone vote against.

A handful of neighbors on Ramsey Avenue expressed opposition to the project.

John Moore said it was a mistake to approve the project in the first place.

“This plat has no room for emergency vehicles if needed, no room for parking of the residents and is just too crowded in a subdivision with single family residences,” he wrote in a letter to the city.

Larry Cook argued that stormwater issues haven’t been resolved and that the density doesn’t fit with the layout of the neighborhood.

“I’m not opposed to development, but the density,” he said.

He also noted noxious weeds 2-4 feet tall on the undeveloped land.

“Now we’re going to extend that?” Cook asked council.

Anderson noted that a condition of approval of the preliminary plat required the removal of all noxious weeds.

“Conditions haven’t been followed,” Anderson said. “I’m not inclined to grant the extension.”

Collins said he’s sprayed for weeds twice this year.