Council Pauses Poultry Ordinance, Accepts Mount Horizons Variance

The April monthly meeting of the Whitehall Town Council was preceded by a second reading of the proposed Town of Whitehall Poultry ordinance. While the first reading had little to no public comment, the second reading brought in several Whitehall residents who own poultry.

Vaia Errett, who lives on Second Street, understood the ordinance but did not understand why the ordinance was three pages and “overly regulated.”

“ Extending your garden is valuable, extending sustainability is valuable, and keeping our rural values is valuable,” Errett said but noted that a more flexible ordinance could be implemented to keep the small town community feel, which is more attractive to those who may consider moving to Whitehall. Errett recommended modeling Whitehall’s after Boulder’s.

Sandi Kraha, a resident of First Street, asked whether any poultry complaints had been made, to which the Mayor noted none had.

Jeff Errett, Vaia’s husband, also added that it is heartwarming to see their daughter Daphne go out to their chickens for fresh eggs herself, which is something he didn’t want to lose.

The Council, during New Business, voted to table the Poultry Ordinance’s approval for 60 days, with hopes of getting more input from local in-town poultry owners.

The much-commented-upon Mount Horizons Subdivision and its requested variance to allow four single-family units per lot was again a hot topic. Homeowners Barbara Lien and Joe Granvold voiced their concerns about promises made when they purchased their properties compared to where the subdivision is headed years later. National Affordable Housing Network representative Todd Hunkler was on hand to answer several of their questions, regarding promised parkland, required fencing and garages, and more. However, none of the answers seemed to ease Lien or Granvold’s concerns.

“We’re worried it going to start looking like a trailer park,” Lien said, asking whether anyone could enforce certain standards. Mayor Mary Janacaro Hensleigh noted that in-town properties are not required to have fences or garages and that the Council cannot require that elsewhere. She added that past promises, if not written, are also unenforceable. Councilman Roy McBride said that the subdivision was created and approved through the county and that the Council doesn’t have much control over the situation.

IN OTHER NEWS:

• This month’s water bill shows an incorrect service charge -please disregard.

• The Whitehall Planning Board meetings have been moved to the second Monday of the month.

• Councilman Bill Lanes presented a Powerpoint on the “Cycle of Confusion” surrounding the Rec Complex. He asked that all involved get over past obstacles and look towards future accomplishments and end goals.

CONSENT AGENDA:

• Business licenses were approved for S&H Aluminum Products, Alphine House Services, LLC, Garden Gifts, Maiden Rock Arts, Montana Country Gal Store, Western Legacy Center, and Reghan’s Store.

Reghan Ginn presented the Council with a brief overview of her business plan, which will include a garage sale/craft store and a lemonade stand on her grandfather’s property on Second Street.

•Allissa Christensen was assigned to the Pool Board as Kelley Seccomb had vacated her position.

• Pat Paterson resigned from the planning board

•Building permits were granted for Marc and Bobbi Wagner (fence and shed), Bryan Binder (relocation of fence), and Jeni Garcin (application and variance requests). The NAHN housing application was also approved.

• Kyle Rnsberg, Jonathan Eisele, and Philip Dooley were approved for the volunteer fire department.

The next regularly scheduled Town Council meeting will b held Monday, May 15 at 7 PM at the Town Hall.