More gambling machines at Bandit Bar, garage apartments are some of topics at next planning board meeting

The owners of the former Bandit Bar are looking to add eight more gaming machines. CFalls LLC and Yikes, Inc. are seeking a conditional use permit to go from 12 gaming machines to 20, as the bar, restaurant and lounge undergo a renovation this year.

To add the machines, the business needs a conditional use permit.

The Columbia Falls City-County Planning Board will take up the request and hold a public hearing at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 9 at city hall.

The planning board will also consider several changes to the city’s zoning regulations at the meeting, including:

- Amending the zoning text in suburban agricultural zones, 5, 10 and 20 to be in line with current county zoning regulations.

- The definition of guest house will be now include a kitchen facility. The current definition does not allow for a kitchen in a guest house under city regs, but the county does allow for a guest house. This will bring the two definitions in-line, noted city planner Eric Mulcahy.

- Another amendment looks to adjust signage requirements for subdivisions. A subdivision earlier this year in the city wanted to add a larger sign, but couldn’t under city regs. The new language would put them under exempt signs, which could allow for a larger signage.

- Another amendment looks at creating accessory dwelling provisions with performance standards. This would allow for small apartments — say above a garage — that are 600 square feet or less. There has been public interest in creating such dwelling spaces in the city, Mulcahy noted. Rental units are in high demand in Columbia Falls.

- Lastly, the city is also looking to amend subdivision regulations concerning phasing in of plats. This comes from a court case in Ravalli County where the county approved a subdivision that was supposed to be phased in over 20 years, but the original plat didn’t take into account all the impacts of the subdivision. Neighbors sued and they prevailed. The city currently doesn’t approve plats that don’t look at all the impacts over time, Mulcahy noted, but the board may take up the issue at its meeting anyway.

The city council is expected to take up the proposed regulation changes at its first meeting in February.

In other city news:

- The city entered a contract Monday evening with engineering firm Morrison Maierle for $13,900 to engineer new pedestrian crossings at 6th Street West and Nucleus Avenue. The city is trying to make crossing Nucleus Avenue safer. The hope is to have a new pedestrian crossing completed by this spring, with bulb outs and a pedestrian crossing light that make crossing easier. The project will also be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Pedestrians have the right of way under Montana law if they cross at the crosswalk, but many motorists don’t stop for them.