Owners of a firearms and aerospace manufacturing facility north of Kalispell have plans to add a practice rifle range, retail sales component and increased processing capability to their operation.

Richard and Mary Sonju have asked the Flathead County Board of Adjustment for a conditional-use permit to allow the expansion of an existing nonconforming use on their property within the U.S. 93 North Zoning District. A public hearing on the proposal will be held Sept. 7.

Located on the west side of U.S. 93 one mile north of West Reserve Drive, the manufacturing facility evolved from an auto-body repair and coatings facility that was in operation prior to the adoption of the zoning district in 1991.

The 2.27-acre tract has suburban-agricultural 10-acre zoning.

The Sonjus want to expand the facility from 6,300 square feet to roughly 34,000 square feet. They estimate the expansion will generate an additional 40 vehicle trips per day by employees and an additional 20 vehicle trips daily by retail customers and rifle-range users.

Excessive noise or vibrations shouldn't impact the immediate neighborhood, according to the Planning Office staff report. Noise-generating elements would be located inside the building.

The proposed rifle range would be partially underground, fully enclosed by concrete walls and roof and would be designed to meet federal noise and safety standards.

The Planning Office has recommended the Board of Adjustment approve the conditional-use permit.

The board meets at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 7, in the second-floor conference room of the Earl Bennett Building, 1035 First Ave. W. in Kalispell.

Other public hearings at the meeting include a zoning variance request by Paul DeToni at 12135 U.S. 2 E. in West Glacier and a conditional-use permit request by John Cuthbertson to allow a community center building for supervised visitation and educational classes at 24 W. Evergreen Drive.

Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by e-mail at lhintze@dailyinterlake.com.