Whistler Observatory to Face Council Scrutiny
Current construction dwarfs project envisioned in City Resolution
By passing Resolution 3599 in April of 2022, the Red Lodge City Council approved “building an Observatory at a northcentral location in Van Dyke Park upon a cement slab that shall not exceed 20’ by 20’ ”. Red Lodge City Council member Terri Durbin was contacted by constituents who were concerned about the construction as there were two slabs at that time whose area together exceeded the size permitted. At the August 22 City Council meeting, Alderman Durbin moved that Resolution 3599 be reviewed at the next Council meeting as the project as built does not match the Resolution. The motion passed unanimously.
The current slab was formed by pouring additional concrete that spread between and around the two existing slabs to create one giant 30’x36’ slab upon which rests a 16’x24’ building with a cantilevered addition to support the slide-off roof extending another 16’ beyond the slab (creating a 16’x40’ building footprint). In addition there is a metal structure being built next to it that is taller than the observatory. The building permit for the observatory was approved in April 2023 and allows for a 16’x24’ building 10’ in height with a concrete patio of no specified dimension. No documentation has been found that authorizes the increase in size.
Resolution 3599 was approved during Theresa Whistler’s single two-year term on the Red Lodge City Council. After the Resolution was approved by City Council she did not run for re-election. Earlier this year, Whistler was appointed by Mayor Kristen Cogswell to the Red Lodge City Planning Board, replacing long time Board member, Sandy Conlee who had hoped to continue serving on the Board.
Theresa Whistler was asked two questions in an email: What is the metal structure next to the observatory? Did you receive the roof opening mechanism from Backyard Observatories before they went out of business? No reply had been received at the time of publication.
The problem is that the size estimate of the cement slab provided by Whistler and set forth in Resolution 3599 is a "no larger than" number that has been exceeded by over 250% and there is no documentation of "regular communication with Parks Board and City staff permitting" or of any "green lights" being given beyond the building permit which was issued without knowledge by the building inspector of the existence of Resolution 3599.
The approved specifications that appear to have been exceeded, and the lack of response from the principal, are both examples of how certain entities are so determined to get their way, that the rules don't apply to them.