Happy June 1! We hope that you’re staying dry out there. As always, there’s a lot going on surrounding land use in the Flathead Valley this week.
This is your Monday primer about land use in Flathead County. Read below to learn more about what happened last week and what’s happening this week.
City planning staff from Columbia Falls, Kalispell, and Whitefish, sat on one of two Montana Legislature Local Government Interim Committee panels last Thursday. Our Executive Director, Nathan Dugan, was present in Helena and provided testimony to the committee after the conclusion of the second panel. You can view both panels by watching the video here.
In the news
- The mix of planning and development managers largely supported MLUPA’s larger goal of creating more housing across the state and making development processes more predictable, noting their appreciation for the extensive public participation process required through the legislation. However, the city staff members also painted a picture of the obstacles faced throughout the ongoing, multi-year process.
- Concerns voiced by the panelists included: the immense time crunch to update both the growth policy and land use plan, as well as the zoning and subdivision regulations; worry from residents on a more limited public notice and participation process moving forward; and a muddied appeals process that some cities feel could open them up to legal liability or ultimately slow down development.
- A key challenge mentioned by most cities on the panel was navigating the costs associated with MLUPA in the timeline required by the legislation, which several categorized as an unfunded mandate.
- Flathead Valley City Planners Give State Legislators Progress Report on Housing and Zoning Reform
- Montana is at a Crossroads Between Preserving Agriculture and Managing Growth
- Kalispell City Council to consider ways to notify residents of future development
- Whitefish considers annexation for land on south entrance
- Library book delivery service to Marion restored through volunteer partnership
- Developer eyes $16.9M in tax increment financing funds for Kalispell mall project
- Kalispell City Council supports license plate reader technology, higher fees to free up on-street parking
- Officials lay out alternate routes to Columbia Falls polling location amid construction work
- Council approves zoning regs as discussion turns to downtown building height
- Habitat Flathead moves forward with townhomes on Whitefish Avenue
- [Whitefish] City Council preview for June 1, 2026
Columbia Falls
Upcoming
Columbia Falls City Council meeting, Monday, June 1, 2026 at 7 p.m., Columbia Falls City Hall (130 6th St W, Columbia Falls).
Consideration of the Teakettle Heights Development Application.
Annexation, planned unit development/zoning, and subdivision application.
Last Week
The Columbia Falls City Planning Commission met on May 28 to provide a formal recommendation to the Columbia Falls City Council concerning the adoption of new zoning and subdivision regulations to comply with MLUPA. The Columbia Falls City Council will adopt these on a first reading on Monday, June 8, 2026.
COLUMBIA FALLS COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT WEBSITE
Kalispell
Upcoming
Kalispell City Council Meeting, Monday, June 1, 2026 at 7 p.m., Kalispell City Hall (201 1st Ave E, Kalispell).
Land Use Public Participation Plan Update.
This is a requirement of MLUPA and will amend the previously adopted public participation plan to create a process for public notice, access to documents, and the ability to comment on site-specific development.
Last Week
Nothing last week.
Whitefish
Upcoming
Whitefish Community Housing Committee meeting, Monday, June 1, 2026 at 2 p.m., Whitefish City Hall (418 E Second St, Whitefish).
Discussion about Legacy Homes Program incentives and process development.
Whitefish City Council Work Session, Monday, June 1, 2026 at 6 p.m., Whitefish City Hall (418 E Second St, Whitefish).
Discussion about and direction to the city manager concerning building heights pending the October 1, 2026 deadline for compliance with state law allowing 60-foot buildings in downtown commercial, heavy commercial, and industrial zones.
Whitefish City Council Meeting, Monday, June 1, 2026 at 2 p.m., Whitefish City Hall (418 E Second St, Whitefish).
Second reading (final adoption) of updated zoning and subdivision ordinances to comply with MLUPA.
A resolution to annex 18.01 acres of land in the city.
This is the land where Whitefish Marine currently sits.
Last Week
Nothing last week.