Columbia Falls proposes to remove expired overlays

The city of Columbia Falls plans to remove the expired planned-unit development overlay plans for four proposed developments that would have added 435 housing units to the city, had the projects come to fruition.

The Columbia Falls Planning Board will hold a public hearing on March 13 before making recommendations on the expired overlays that are used; the City Council will hold a subsequent hearing April 2 before making a final decision.

The city has initiated requests to removed the expired overlay from the following projects:

- Columbia Range was a 146-lot development proposed on 72 acres that never proceeded to construction or final plat approval, according to city records. The underlying zoning would revert to one-family residential and suburban agriculture with a 5-acre minimum lot size.

- River Highlands was a 151-unit development proposed on 48 acres that never proceeded to construction or final plat approval. The underlying zoning would revert to one-family residential.

- Grace Ann was a 16-unit condominium project on 2 acres that never materialized. Zoning would revert to urban residential and residential apartment.

- Glacier Estates was a 122-unit development proposed on 14 acres that never proceeded to construction or final plat approval. The underlying zoning would revert to one-family residential.

The Planning Board meets at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 13, at Columbia Falls City Hall, 30 Sixth St. W. in Columbia Falls.

Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or lhintze@dailyinterlake.com.