Here is your Monday Flathead Valley land use primer email. Kalispell adopted its land use plan and future land use map last week. They will now pivot to working on the city’s zoning ordinance. Whitefish and Columbia Falls are still moving toward officially adopting their land use plan and future land use maps.
In the news
- Without migration, Montana would see a decrease in population, a recent state report found. About 21.2% of all residents are over 65, which is eighth in the nation.
- In 2024 the Montana population estimate was 1.137 million, with a 10-year net migration estimated at 101,402. The total 10-year population growth was estimated at 106,758.
- But in 2024, deaths exceeded births as growth is very low in the youth (0-14) age category and has turned negative in the last few years, as overall fertility has dropped. In short, families are having fewer children and not enough to keep up with the death rate.
- As Montana ages, natural growth almost zero
- Whitefish City Council Edits Growth Policy After State Senator Raises Legal Concerns
- Kalispell City Council Adopts Land Use Plan in 5-4 Vote
- Columbia Falls City Council Opts Out of Owner-Occupied Short-Term Rental Permit Restrictions
- Rumor vs. reality – affordable housing in Whitefish
- Kalispell Council to review state-mandated changes to zoning and subdivision regulations
- Developer seeks TIF funds for 24-unit affordable housing project in Kalispell
- Flathead County Planning Board considers subdivision near Marion
- New Samaritan House Director Renews Focus on Homeless Shelter Expansion, Sets Sights on Strengthening Partnerships
- Construction resumes on U.S. 93 West of Whitefish project
- Study: CFAC cleanup will have no lasting impact on endangered species
- Anyone want to buy a bowling alley? Nucleus Avenue has several properties for sale, some are already under contract
Columbia Falls
Click here to view the draft Future Land Use Map
Click here to view the draft Recommendations
Upcoming
Columbia Falls Planning Commission special meeting, Monday, April 13, 2026 at 6 p.m., Columbia Falls City Hall (130 6th St W, Columbia Falls).
Annexation, Zoning, and Subdivision application for the Teakettle Heights Subdivision.
Last Week
The Columbia Falls City Council discussed traffic studies conducted by the Montana Department of Transportation as well as MDT’s suggestions for speed limit changes during its regular meeting on Monday, April 6. They also reviewed quasi-judicial versus legislative roles of the council pending the adoption of the city’s new land use plan and continued discussion on new short-term rental regulations.
Click here to view video from the meeting.
Livable Flathead submitted the letter below in response to MDT’s presentation and suggestions for speed limit changes, including increased speed limits on US-2 as it moves past Nucleus and downtown Columbia Falls.
The Columbia Falls Planning Commission also met last week on Thursday for continued review of the future land use map and recommendations (we missed this in our email last week!) and for the quasi-judicial versus legislative roles presentation that the city council received on Monday.
Video is not yet available from this meeting, but it will be posted here when it is available.
COLUMBIA FALLS COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT WEBSITE
Kalispell
Upcoming
Kalispell City Council work session, Monday, April 13, 2026 at 7 p.m., Kalispell City Hall (201 1st Ave E, Kalispell).
Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance Updates
Will be formally considered on April 20, 2026.
Bringing ordinances into compliance with state law (Montana Land Use Planning Act) and incorporating zoning changes that were identified in the new Land Use Plan, adopted last week.
Kalispell Planning Commission meeting, Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at 6 p.m., Kalispell City Hall (201 1st Ave E, Kalispell).
Last Week
The Kalispell City Council formally adopted the city’s new Land Use Plan and Future Land Use Map on a 5-4 vote.
Divisions existed over including a map of sensitive wildlife habitat that is currently located outside of city limits.
View the meeting and hear the discussion by clicking here.
KALISPELL COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT WEBSITE
Whitefish
Upcoming
Nothing this week. The Whitefish City Council will continue its discussion of and is expected to formally adopt the city’s new Land Use Plan and Future Land Use Map at its April 20, 2026 meeting.
Last Week
The Whitefish City Council continued its public hearing about the city’s new Land Use Plan and Future Land Use Map on April 6, 2026. This discussion was continued to another meeting on April 20, where it is expected that they will formally adopt the new plan.