Planning Board to take up zone change for horse ranch

The Columbia Falls City-County planning board will take up a zone change application that it is relatively uncommon — a landowner is seeking a zone change from Suburban Agricultural 5 (minimum 5 acre lot) to Suburban Agricultural 10 (minimum 10-acre lot).

Eric Christianson is seeking the zone change on his 13.7-acre farm on Jorgenson Trail because he wants to board and breed horses for extra income, according to his application to the planning board.

The farm is located north of Kokanee Bend Drive and is just within the city’s planning jurisdiction.

The zone change would allow for the commercial livestock use on the property, which is not allowed under the SAG-5 zoning.

Christianson has already built a barn on the land. He notes in his application that the zone change request is similar to adjacent properties in the area, which are generally large lots on or close to the Flathead River.

The board will take up the matter at its April 11 meeting at 6:30 p.m.