A new zoning district proposed for county land along highways was unanimously approved by the Flathead County Commissioners on July 27.

As proposed, development in the B-2HG general-business highway-greenbelt zoning district would require mitigation of visual impacts of commercial development, with special attention to setbacks, landscaping and signs.

In the Columbia Falls area, the zoning district could be applied to U.S. 2 and Montana Highways 40 and 206, but it will not affect properties regulated under the Canyon and North Fork neighborhood plans and will not apply to properties within the Columbia Falls two-mile planning and zoning jurisdiction.

The commissioners passed a resolution of intent in May to create the new zoning district, which initiated a 30-day comment period. Citizens for a Better Flathead opposed the new zoning district, saying it could contribute to sprawl.

Flathead County planning director BJ Grieve said the planning office received about 900 letters, e-mails postcards and other forms of protest. He said about 2,800 were needed to overturn the commissioners' May resolution.

Commissioner Pam Holmquist said the protest letters she read were based on "inaccuracies and scare tactics." Commissioner Dale Lauman said he didn't believe the new zoning district would lead to a rush of development along highways. Commissioner Jim Dupont agreed, adding that growth in the Flathead is going to happen.