Ruis Hotel gets a green light
An artist's conception of the new hotel.
BY CHRIS PETERSON
Hungry Horse News
The Columbia Falls City Council Monday night approved a new 65-unit hotel off Highway 2. Developer Mick Ruis is planning an extended stay hotel that will feature kitchenettes for guests at the Glacier Inn Motel site.
The old motel will remain guest lodging as well.
The new hotel will run parallel with Second Avenue East. Existing pine trees will be preserved and as a condition, more trees are required to be planted as a buffer between Second Avenue and the new hotel.
The hotel will have Highway 2 access. The council approved a height variance of 50 feet maximum for the hotel. Under the zoning, the maximum height is 45 feet.
The council did not approve a variance request for less landscaping. Under the requirements for large buildings, 15% of the property must be landscaped. Ruis was asking for 7.5%.
One member of the public spoke out against the hotel and others raised opposition in letters.
Resident Vicky Brown said she didn’t believe there were any other four-story buildings in town and opposed the height variance.
“Please protect our small town character,” she said.
But local businessman Dave Petersen said he supported the project, saying it fit the downtown area.
“It’s where it belongs,” he said.
The vote was unanimous in favor the hotel.