Here’s your weekly primer for land use across the Flathead Valley. Construction has broken ground on Whitetail Crossing, a 353-lot single-family residential development on 110 acres in north Kalispell that the Kalispell City Council approved in 2024. Keep reading below for a recap of what happened last week and to find out what’s happening this week. Livable Flathead Executive Director, Nathan Dugan, was on Shelter WF’s new podcast, discussing “Escaping the Housing Trap” with Shelter WF Executive Director, Keegan Siebenaler. Check it out here: https://youtu.be/AcOHlqVcxOk?si=pmcWmXHVPnJvFynI
This week’s top story
Whitetail Crossing Development on 110 Acres in North Kalispell Breaks Ground
Construction crews have broken ground on a 353-lot, single-family residential development located on 110 acres on Tronstad Road east of U.S. Highway 93 in north Kalispell, a project that city councilors approved in 2024.
Homebuilders Terry Homes and Iron Star Construction have secured 70% of phase one lots, which includes 101 lots. There will be four total phases featuring lots ranging from 6,000 to 19,000 square feet.
“Whitetail Crossing represents an exciting addition to the Kalispell community, providing thoughtfully planned housing options to meet the needs of our growing region,” Terry Homes, Inc. owner Merna Terry said.
The Tronstad Meadows and Whitetail Crossing proposal located near the intersection of U.S. Highway 93 and Tronstad Road is the brainchild of former Republican lawmakers Frank Garner and Jon Sonju, who originally planned to build 380 single-family homes on lots ranging from 6,000 to 10,000 square feet. Developers planned to build homes that were at, above and below the local median housing price.
In the news
- Whitefish City Council approves $63.5M preliminary budget
- In Fire-prone Flathead Valley, the Cost of Insuring the Future Comes at a High Premium
- Judge pauses contested water permit hearing after critics sue
- Neighbors challenge approval of West Glacier work camp in court
- Nonprofit opens RV park in Kalispell
- Kalispell’s sewer, water system facility plans identifies over $300 million in capital projects over the next 20 years
- State Approves Environmental Assessment for Phase Two of Lakeside Sewer District Expansion Plan
- Flathead County’s economic development arm aims to cap off Glacier Rail Park project
- Whitefish Fire Service Area heading towards budget deficit
- Montana is Aging More Quickly Than Expected
- Traffic troubles top of mind for Glacier National Park visitors, staff
- Back in time in Kalispell: When Main Street was the main event
- Sustainable tourism resident survey open through July
This week in meetings
Week of June 29, 2026
Columbia Falls
No relevant meetings this week.
Kalispell
Kalispell City Council work session, Monday, June 29, 2026 at 7 p.m., Kalispell City Hall (201 1st Ave E, Kalispell).
Reckless driving on Main Street. Council will hear updates from the Kalispell Police Department, the City Attorney’s office, the Public Works Department, and the Montana Department of Transportation on steps taken to address complaints about Friday-night cruising and speeding downtown. Council called the session on a fifth Monday, when it typically does not meet, given the volume of public complaints.
Applications to serve on the new Housing Study Advisory Committee are due by 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 30, 2026 at kalispell.com/boards, with appointments expected at the July 6 regular meeting.
Looking ahead: the July 6 regular meeting includes a public hearing on the three municipal utility facility plans (Water System, Wastewater Collection System, and Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant) reviewed at the June 22 work session.
Whitefish
The Sustainable Tourism Resident Survey has been posted by the city and is available to complete through July 1, 2026.
No relevant meetings this week.
Last week’s recap
Week of June 22–28, 2026
Columbia Falls
No relevant meetings were held last week.
Kalispell
Kalispell City Council work session, Monday, June 22, 2026 at 7:00 p.m., Kalispell City Hall Council Chambers (201 1st Ave E, Kalispell). (meeting video)
Council reviewed updated water, sewer, and advanced wastewater treatment facility plans that together identify more than $300 million in capital projects over the next 20 years to serve a projected population of about 51,000 by 2044. No formal vote is taken at a work session; a public hearing on the plans is set for the July 6 regular meeting.
Whitefish
No relevant meetings were held last week.