Your Weekly Flathead Valley Land Use Planning Brief

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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.

In the news:

Real Concern Over Whitefish’s Growth Policy Update

City Council to review first chapters of Kalispell’s new growth plan

Downtown group retains private firm to advise Whitefish on growth policy update

Columbia Falls

The city’s consultants published the findings of focus groups that it conducted with subject-matter experts on Economic Development, Land Use & Housing, and Natural Resources & Recreation. Click here to review the findings.

The city’s existing conditions report is available for public review. Click here to review it and to access the link to a survey to share your feedback.

Upcoming:

• Columbia Falls Planning Commission meeting on Thursday, February 12, 2026 at 6 p.m., Columbia Falls City Hall (130 6th St W, Columbia Falls).

  • Relevant agenda items include:

    • Presentation of focus group findings by consultants, Cushing Terrell.

    • Review of existing conditions report created by Cushing Terrell.

    • Discussion about short-term rental policies.

    • Initial discussion about zoning and subdivision regulation updates.

Last Week:

• Nothing last week.

Kalispell

Upcoming:

• Kalispell City Council work session, Monday, February 9, 2026 at 7 p.m., Kalispell City Hall (201 1st Ave E, Kalispell).

  • Discussion about the first two chapters of the draft Land Use Plan.

    • Chapter 1 covers existing conditions and population projections.

    • Chapter 2 covers community growth and design.

• Kalispell Planning Commission meeting, Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at 6p.m., Kalispell City Hall (201 1st Ave E, Kalispell).

  • Zoning ordinance text amendments to comply with state law and to incorporate housing strategies for MLUPA compliance.

Last Week:

• Nothing last week.

Whitefish

Upcoming:

• Whitefish City Council Work Session, Monday, February 9, 2026 at 5:30 p.m., Whitefish City Hall (418 E 2nd St, Whitefish).

  • Initial review and discussion of the Housing and Transportation Elements for the city’s draft Land Use Plan.

• Whitefish Planning Commission, Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at 6 p.m., Whitefish City Hall (418 E 2nd St, Whitefish).

  • Continued review of the Land Use Element.

    • Expected some small updates from the city’s consulting firm following the meeting last week.