The Columbia Falls City County Planning Board will host a public hearing on Oct. 13 at 6:30 p.m. for a planned unit development for a hotel adjacent to Pinewood Park at the former Norem property.
The City Council will hold a subsequent hearing Oct. 19 at 7 p.m.
Ruis Holdings plans to build an 82-room, three-story hotel on the property, with 64 rooms in the first phase.
Mick Ruis, who recently purchased several properties in the city, is the primary developer.
The land is zoned as Commercial Business 2, which allows for hotels, although there are limits involving height and parking. The building would need a variance for height – city codes call for a maximum height of 45 feet while the applicant seeks 47 feet.
Ruis also is seeking parking variances, noting a 3,000-square-foot conference room inside the hotel primarily will be used for day activities while the hotel will be used at night.