A plan to construct a cell phone tower on private land at West Glacier has been submitted to Flathead County.

The county Board of Adjustment will consider on Tuesday whether to grant a conditional use permit for the 100-foot tower proposed to be located between the West Glacier RV Park and U.S. 2.

Diamond Towers V, LLC is requesting to locate the tower as part of a lease on property owned by Glacier Park Inc., according to documents filed with the county planning office. A conditional use permit is required for a tower that exceeds 60 feet in height, under county regulations. 

The board of adjustments meets at 6 p.m. in the South Campus Building at 40 11th St. W. in Kalispell. 

The tower, which would not include lighting, would be located inside a 50-foot by 50-foot fenced area on the heavily forested 25-acre property. The property already includes a fire hall and residences, the county staff report notes. 

As part of the application with the county, attorney Jonathan Yates of Charleston, South Carolina notes that there is a “serious wireless deficit in this area, which AT&T would like to remedy with the placement of this stealth monopine facility.” 

The tower is described as a brown pole and green foliage so as to minimize its visibility to the surrounding area. 

“This is a very important facility to allow AT&T to provide coverage for both voice and advanced broadband in this section of Flathead County,” Yates says in the letter. 

FIVE OTHER items are on the board’s agenda. 

Gilden Lodge Trust is seeking a variance from several parking requirements to accommodate three dwelling units, a restaurant and real estate office in a building at 425 Grand Drive in Bigfork. The building would be served by nine onsite parking spaces instead of 17 as required. 

The Gilen Lodge Trust is also seeking approval for short-term rental housing in the same building. 

The board will consider a request from Flathead Valley Laestadian Lutheran church for a conditional use permit to construct a church at 2300 Trumble Creek Road near Kalispell. The property is 10 acres and is located within the Airport West Zoning District. 

The board will hear an appeal by Stephen Shea regarding the zoning administrator's interpretation that there was not a zoning violation regarding property at 390 Moose Run. A violation complaint was submitted to the county regarding the property alleging a building setback violation and an unpermitted short-term rental. 

Stephen Fisher is requesting to establish short-term rental housing on property at 354 Orchard Road, Kalispell. The 5.39-acre property is located within the Lower Side Zoning District. 

Features Editor Heidi Desch may be reached at 758-4421 or [email protected].