A zone change and planned-unit development overlay for a senior high-rise project in Evergreen sailed through two Flathead County Planning Board hearings on Wednesday with unanimous recommendations of approval.

The proposal involves building 144 senior condominiums in 60-foot-high buildings behind Shopko.

The 11.36-acre tract between Shopko and Spring Creek currently is zoned general business with an Evergreen Enterprise Overlay and one-family limited residential. Property owner Curtis Lund requested community business zoning with an Evergreen Enterprise Overlay.

The property currently is developed with three homes but otherwise is vacant grassland. It’s located about three-quarters of a mile east of Kalispell city limits, in the Willow Glen Zoning District.

The county commissioners will make the final decision on both the zone change and planned-unit development. They’re scheduled to consider the proposal at 9 a.m. Aug. 23.

The Flathead County Board of Adjustment will need to approve a conditional-use permit before construction can begin. Lund will be required to submit a site plan with the application for a conditional-use permit that would address the proposed land use in more detail, according to the planning staff report.

The primary access to the condo development would be a new road along the eastern boundary of the property that would connect with the traffic signal at the intersection of U.S. 2 and Montana 35. Sager Lane would provide a secondary or emergency access connecting to U.S. 2 at the traffic signal near Super 1 Foods.

There were no public comments made at the hearings or submitted in writing.

The Planning Office report noted the Evergreen Fire Department was contacted about the 60-foot height allowance and fire officials said providing fire protection would not be an issue.

Features Editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by email at [email protected].