Canine rehab center planned in C. Falls

A proposal to allow a rehabilitation and fitness center for dogs in downtown Columbia Falls tops a busy agenda for the Columbia Falls Planning Board on Wednesday.

Northwest Commercial Investments is asking for a conditional-use permit to allow the canine facility at 706 Nucleus Ave. In addition to rehabilitation, the business would offer services such as assisted exercise, treadmill, therapeutic laser, massage and hydrotherapy to benefit dogs compromised by age, illness or injury.

The facility would accommodate six to eight canine clients a day. There would be no boarding of any kind, either day or night, according to a city staff report. The maximum number of dogs in the facility at any time is expected to be four, with one to two dogs normally at the center.

A public hearing is scheduled on the canine facility.

Ted Nichols, a trustee of the Nichols Trust, is asking for a zone change from Commercial Business-2/Residential 3 to Commercial Business-2 and a conditional-use permit to build 13 mini-storage units along with a commercial shop and office building on property at 350 U.S. 2 E. 

The highway frontage portion of the property currently is zoned commercial; the rear portion is zoned residential.

Public hearings will deal with both the zone change and permit requested by Nichols.

A fourth hearing deals with a city proposal for a zoning text amendment to allow seasonal produce stands in residential districts with a conditional-use permit, provided the use meets certain performance standards such as location along a collector arterial street, paved parking and a limit on the number of employees.

The board meets at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Columbia Falls City Hall, 130 Sixth St. West.