Another big subdivision proposed east of Flathead River

Developers are proposing another high density housing project just east of the Flathead River, this time on 22 acres north of Highway 2.

Under the proposed plan, Location Acquisitions is proposing an 180-unit subdivision, consisting of 99 single family units attached in 3-and 4-unit buildings, 81 apartment units, a private clubhouse, a public park, green space and on-street parking.

“Our goal is to provide market priced rental housing units that architecturally complement the surrounding natural environment and mimic the historical development of the city,” the developers say in their planned unit development application.

The land is current a 10-acre parcel and a 12-acre parcel, both of which have long been horse pastures. Folks in the past have considered building homes on the lot to the west, but the ground has proven to be too wet.

The developers are asking for a zone change and a planned unit development to accommodate the subdivision,

from suburban-agricultural five acres and suburban agricultural 10 acres to urban residential-4, which allows up to 8 units per acre. Under this plan, the development would have just under 8 units an acre, but it would also have about 55% “green space,” though about 22% of that is wetlands, including an existing pond.

They also claim to want to create “wildlife corridors” through the property, which is just to the south of the Bad Rock Wildlife Management Area.

“Location Ventures is currently working with local partners, including Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks, Flathead Land Trust, and Gateway 2 Glacier (Trails) to explore the best ways to incorporate wildlife health and movement into current site designs, including a potential wildlife corridor and ecosystem-oriented landscaping,” the application notes.

The development would extend city water and sewer services across the river. The interior roads would be private, but open to public access. They are also proposing the possibility of a park along the Flathead River near the Highway 2 bridge.

The development plan calls for two exits onto Highway 2, though they say they are also willing to work with the Montana Department of Transportation on a traffic light.

The development mirrors in many ways the River Highlands development, which was proposed on about 50 acres on what is currently a fallow field just to the south.

That development also had a blend of homes and apartments, all told about 343 units.

The Columbia Falls City-County planning board in late January rejected the proposal for the second time in less than six months, saying it was simply too dense.

The developers, in turn, pulled their application just three days before the city council was set to consider it on Monday.

A group of investors are proposing the development — Twin Peaks Farms LLC, High Country Land and Cattle LLC and 500 River Partners LLC.

Twin Peaks is listed as the owner of the west section of the property according to tax records, High Country Cattle owns the east section and is out of Phoenix, Arizona and 500 River Partners is a company out of Coral Gables, Florida. Twins Peaks lists an Idaho address.

If approved, work would start in 2024, developers say.

The planning board is expected to take up the application at its meeting at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 14 at the Columbia Falls Junior High. There will be a public hearing at that time.

The planning board will also take up an application for an amendment to a previously approved planned unit development on Fourth Avenue West and Eighth Street.

R2H LLC is asking that the planned three commercial spaces first proposed with the project be replaced with three residential units. All told, there would be 12 residential units if approved.