C. Falls OKs doughnut amendment

The Columbia Falls City Council at its Monday meeting unanimously approved an amendment to the interlocal agreement with Flathead County for the city’s one-mile planning and zoning “doughnut” jurisdiction.

In response to the county’s protracted legal dispute with Whitefish, whose interlocal deal is very similar to that of Columbia Falls, the amendment establishes a five-year duration and allows either the county or Columbia Falls to terminate the agreement with a one-year notification and a provision for mediation.

In other business Monday, the council:

v Unanimously approved three zoning amendments on second reading. These included allowing residents to own up to five fowl on lots less than one acre, a new definition for recreational vehicles and allowing assembly halls, microbreweries, brew pubs and mini-breweries in the uptown part of the city.

 vDirected the city attorney to come back with an amendment to the city sign ordinance that would base the size of signs on building frontage, not lot frontage.

 vReappointed Will Loveall to the City Police Commission for a three-year term.