Extended-stay hotel proposed for Columbia Falls

Flathead Valley developer Mick Ruis is proposing a new four-story hotel at the Glacier Inn Motel site in Columbia Falls.

The hotel, as designed, would be just over 14,000 square feet. It would sit just to the north of the existing motel on Second Avenue East.

The planned unit development would have up to 65 rooms with kitchenettes, and would cater to the “mid scale extended stay market,” according to the application. The units would be attractive to contract workers in the valley, the application notes.

The front of the hotel would face east, with the entrance on the northeast end of the building toward U.S. 2. A new entrance to U.S. 2 would be constructed. The parking would also be to the east of the building.

Ruis is asking for two variances with the project — the maximum height of the hotel as designed would be 50 feet. He’s also asking for less open space as required under the city’s zoning. The city’s maximum height requirement is 35 feet, though the city has given variances in the past with buildings on Nucleus Avenue, in particular.

The plan is to preserve the existing mature pine trees along Second Avenue East, though the total development is asking for a variance to the minimum landscaping requirements of 15%, as the site is small and the city’s Marantette Park is across the street.

The city recently approved a zone change for the site, which would allow a new hotel to be built.

The Columbia Falls City-County planning board is expected to take up the application at its Sept. 13 meeting at 6:30 p.m. in city council chambers. There will be a public hearing at that time.