In specific circumstances, the city may issue an administrative conditional use permit for home occupations, temporary uses, and minor (fifteen percent or less) expansions of nonconforming uses. Chapter 18.40 Home Occupations, Chapter 18.49 Temporary Uses, and Chapter 18.11 Nonconforming Uses, explain the criteria for receiving an administrative permit for the respective uses.

A. Upon receipt of a complete application and filing fee as set by the tri-city planning board, the Columbia Falls zoning administrator or his designee shall prepare a notice containing the pertinent facts to the application and shall have said notice served by first class mail upon property owners within one hundred fifty feet of the subject property. When the subject property abuts a right-of-way or river, the one hundred fifty foot measurement shall be in addition to the right-of-way or river width along the adjacent side. The notice shall provide a reasonable period of time, not less than ten calendar days, for interested parties to submit comments on the proposed activity. Within ten working days of the end of the comment period a written determination shall be mailed to the applicant approving or denying the permit.

B. The application and format used for the submittal of the administrative conditional use permit shall be the same as found in the Columbia Falls area zoning ordinance for conditional use permit applications. The application and all subsequent information, correspondence, evaluations, recommendations, and decisions shall be placed on permanent file in the office of the zoning administrator.

C. If there is no valid written public opposition to the adopted performance standards and the project meets the criteria for issuance of the permit, the project will be approved. The Columbia Falls zoning administrator shall issue a grant of administrative conditional use permit with or without conditions of approval which will be indicated on the face of the permit.

D. When written opposition from property owners within one hundred fifty feet of the property subject to the request are received prior to the end of the comment period and the expressed concerns of the opposition cannot be resolved by the applicant, the administrative conditional use permit will be scheduled for the next available board of adjustment meeting for a decision. The applicant shall be responsible for all additional information and filing fees required.

E. If the administrative conditional use permit is denied by the zoning administrator the denial may be appealed. This appeal shall be made in accordance with Section 18.08 (Appeals) of the Columbia Falls zoning ordinance. The appellant is responsible for all information and additional filing fees required. (Ord. 648 § 2(part), 2003; Ord. 615 § 2(part), 1999)