Council adopts annexation, initial ACI‑1 zoning for Meadowlake Boulevard property

Columbia Falls City Council adopted staff report CA2602 as findings of fact and then approved Resolution 19‑63 to annex a 4.5‑acre parcel near the southeast corner of Lakeside Boulevard and Best Way and assign initial ACI‑1 (light industrial) zoning.

Planner Eric McCaughey told the council the parcel has been light‑industrial in the city’s growth‑policy map and was in the city’s “donut” until the county took zoning authority in 2024. He said recent state provisions allow a single council hearing to complete annexation and initial zoning, and that the applicants—Touch Hester Legacy Properties LLC—intend to build a dry vitamin‑capsule manufacturing facility that will not generate substantial wastewater.

The council opened the public hearing and, seeing no members of the public wishing to speak, closed the hearing. Councilor (speaker 1) moved to adopt staff report CA2602 as findings of fact; the motion was seconded and the roll call recorded affirmatives from Councilors King, Piper, Price, Robinson, Stall and Mayor Barnhart. The council then moved and seconded adoption of Resolution 19‑63; a roll call again recorded affirmative votes and the mayor declared the resolution adopted.

The planner said the property’s light‑industrial zoning has a decades‑long history at the site and that final plat acceptance will still require council action when the final plat is brought forward. The council did not attach additional conditions during the motion. The matter now moves to implementation steps required for the applicant to proceed under city permitting and building‑code requirements.