NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
The Board of County Commissioners of Flathead County, Montana, hereby gives notice pursuant to Section 76-2-206(3)(a), M.C.A., that it will hold a public hearing to consider the establishment of an interim zoning district. Under Montana law, interim zoning regulations are allowable for up to one year, with up to one extension of one year. The boundaries of the proposed interim zoning district are within approximately two miles from the Columbia Falls city limits, excluding areas already zoned with County zoning, and are specifically shown in Exhibit “A” attached hereto.
The exigent circumstance compelling the establishment of the proposed interim zoning district is the City of Columbia Falls relinquishing jurisdiction over an extraterritorial area (ETA) after June 30, 2024. The City will no longer exercise any authority in the ETA, including processing land use permits and applications. In order to serve the needs of the citizenry in the ETA, the County has no option but to begin administering immediate control over the ETA, and to do so the establishment of the proposed interim zoning is needed. It is imperative for an orderly progression of events for interim zoning to be established until the County holds public meetings and conducts studies to establish permanent zoning in the area.
The proposed interim zoning district will replace the current City of Columbia Falls zoning classifications with the most similar classifications found in the Flathead County Zoning Regulations. The Flathead County zoning classifications proposed for this area are SAG-10 (Suburban Agricultural), SAG-5 (Suburban Agricultural), R-1 (Suburban Residential), R-2 (One Family Limited Residential), R-3 (One Family Residential), R-4 (Two-Family Residential), R-5 (Two-Family Residential), RA-1 (Residential Apartment), P (Public), B-2 (General Business), B-5 (Resort Business), I-1 (Light Industrial) and I-2 (Heavy Industrial).
The general character of the SAG-10 (Suburban Agricultural) classification is suburban agricultural. This classification provides and preserves agricultural functions and provides a buffer between urban and unlimited agricultural uses, encouraging separation of such uses in areas where potential conflict of uses will be minimized, and provides areas for estate-type residential development.
The general character of the SAG-5 (Suburban Agricultural) classification is suburban agricultural. This classification provides and preserves smaller agricultural functions and to provide a buffer between urban and unlimited agricultural uses, encouraging separation of such uses in areas where potential conflict of uses will be minimized, and to provide areas of estate-type residential development.
The general character of the R-1 (Suburban Residential) classification is residential. This classification provides estate-type development normally located in rural areas away from concentrated urban development or in areas where it is desirable to permit only low-density development (for example, areas with extreme topography or, areas adjacent to flood plains).
The general character of the R-2 (One Family Limited Residential) classification is residential. This classification provides for large tract residential development in suburban areas generally served by either sewer or water lines.
The general character of the R-3 (One Family Residential) classification is residential. This classification provides adequate lot size for urban residential development, is typically in proximity to community and neighborhood facilities, i.e., schools, parks, and shopping areas, and will normally require all public utilities.
The general character of the R-4 (Two-Family Residential) classification is residential. This classification provides lot areas for urban residential development and is required to be served by all public utilities.
The general character of the R-5 (Two-Family Residential) classification is residential. This classification requires to be served by all public utilities with minimum lot areas.
The general character of the RA-1 (Residential Apartment) classification is residential. This classification provides multi-family residential and non-residential uses that support or are compatible with the primary residential character and is intended as a buffer between residential districts and other non-residential districts.
The general character of the B-2 (General Business) classification is commercial. This classification provides high-density hotel, motel, multi-family, and limited retail and commercial service facilities where such uses are desirable for resort development and where public facilities are available and are not intended for general application.
The general character of the B-5 (Resort Business) classification is commercial. This classification provides for
The general character of the I-1 (Light Industrial) classification is industrial. This classification provides for uses and service uses that typically do not create objectionable by-products that extend beyond the lot lines.
The general character of the I-2 (Heavy Industrial) classification is industrial. This classification provides for uses to accommodate heavy manufacturing, processing, fabrication, and assembling of products or materials and prevents the encroachment of non-industrial uses or unspecified commercial uses within the district.
The general character of the P (Public) classification is public. This classification is intended to provide and reserve areas for public uses in order to provide adequate land for a variety of community facilities that serve public health, safety, and general welfare.
A map of the proposed interim zoning district which comprises the outer boundary of the proposed interim zoning district and the boundaries of the individual zoning classifications, and a copy of the existing Flathead County Zoning Regulations to be used are available for public inspection at the Office of the Board of Commissioners, 800 South Main, Room 302, Kalispell, Montana, at the Flathead County Planning and Zoning Office, 40 11th Street West, Kalispell, Montana, and on the Flathead County Planning and Zoning Office’s website at: https://flathead.mt.gov/department-directory/planning-zoning. Those with questions may contact the Flathead County Planning and Zoning Office at , (406) 751-8200, or 40 11th Street West, Ste 220, Kalispell, MT.
The public hearing will be held on the 27th day of June, 2024 at 10:15 a.m., in the Office of the Board of Commissioners of Flathead County, Third Floor Courthouse, 800 South Main, Kalispell, Montana. At the public hearing, the Board of Commissioners will allow the public to be heard regarding the proposed interim zoning boundaries, individual classifications and regulations.
Written comments are encouraged and will be reviewed by the Commissioners prior to the hearing if received by the Flathead County Commissioners’ Office at least three business days prior to the hearing.
DATED this 11th day of June, 2024.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Flathead County, Montana
By:_/s/Randy L. Brodehl___________
Randy L. Brodehl, Chairman
Publish on June 16 and June 23, 2024
