Reboot Evergreen with new zone
Evergreen business leaders have been pondering how to breathe new life into their commercial highway corridors to compete with the brisk growth in North Kalispell along U.S. 93 in recent years.
They’ve come up with what we believe to be a worthy idea.
The Evergreen Chamber of Commerce is requesting a publicly initiated zone change to create an interim enterprise overlay zone in Evergreen. The change would allow a variety of light industrial uses in addition to the existing retail business zones along the U.S. 2 and Montana 35 corridors. That means buildings such as the empty Walmart and Rex Appliance stores could be more easily converted to a broader selection of business uses, from manufacturing and processing to storage facilities.
The current retail zones were put in place about 25 years ago as Evergreen was becoming home to a number of big-box stores and other sizable retail stores. It’s unlikely Evergreen will be able to recapture the level of retail business it once had, so finding a way to allow more zoning flexibility makes sense.
If approved, the enterprise zone would be in place for two years as interim zoning. That also makes sense. If the new zoning has no effect, it can simply expire — no harm, no foul.
The Flathead County commissioners are scheduled to consider Evergreen’s proposal at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 30, and decide whether to authorize the Planning Office to proceed with the staff work. We urge them to move Evergreen’s request forward. Our communities need all the help they can get in creating economic development opportunities that ultimately can translate into more jobs.
Farewell to mansion show
It’s the last hurrah for the Conrad Mansion’s popular Christmas at the Mansion fundraiser this weekend. The volunteers that have staged the arts and crafts show for three decades are putting on their last show.
Longtime organizer Nikki Sliter said the event has run its course and it’s difficult to compete with a hefty number of other holiday craft shows. The mansion has come up with several new, innovative fundraisers through the years to help preserve Kalispell’s 1895 jewel of a historic home. Even so, it’s sad to see Christmas at the Mansion end.
Those wanting to experience the festive atmosphere and do some holiday shopping can attend the event from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday; tickets are $5 for adults or $2 for children and are available at the door.
Editorials represent the majority opinion of the Daily Inter Lake’s editorial board.