Here’s your Monday primer about the Land Use Plan updates in Columbia Falls, Kalispell, and Whitefish. Read below for information on upcoming meetings and to find out what happened last week.
Here’s a spoiler: there’s big movement happening in Columbia Falls and Kalispell this week (tonight!).
Columbia Falls
We summarized the city’s wastewater treatment plant capacity limitations in this blog post.
Upcoming
Columbia Falls City Council and Planning Commission: Joint Meeting, Monday, January 26, 2026 at 6 p.m., Columbia Falls City Hall (130 6th St W, Columbia Falls).
Discussion of the Land Use Plan existing conditions and community survey results.
Last Week
Columbia Falls City Council meeting, Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
The Council continued discussion regarding future development in light of the city’s wastewater infrastructure limitations.
The Council generally agreed with the plan presented by staff (see the agenda packet linked above).
Generally, they indicated a preference to prioritize infill development (inside existing city limits), development immediately adjacent to the current city boundaries (via annexation), and development that incorporates deed-restrictions for permanent affordability.
COLUMBIA FALLS COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT WEBSITE
Kalispell
Upcoming
Kalispell City Council Work Session, Monday, January 26, 2026 at 7 p.m., Kalispell City Council (201 1st Ave E, Kalispell)
Discussion about the draft Land Use Plan that was approved by the Kalispell Planning Commission.
Last Week
Nothing last week.
KALISPELL COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT WEBSITE
Whitefish
We summarized the city’s Land Use Element Open House in this blog post.
Upcoming
Nothing this week.
Last Week
The Whitefish City Council took its first look at previously approved (by the Planning Commission) sections of the Land Use Plan and began discussion.
The City Council will ultimately adopt this plan after making its own revisions to the draft.
The Whitefish City Council abolished the city’s Architectural Review Committee to become compliant with SB 407, which was passed and signed into law in 2023.