Kalispell City Council on Monday will mull over land use regulation changes that would promote higher density housing and eliminate public hearings on proposed subdivisions.  

The work session will be held at 7 p.m., April 13 in City Hall, 201 First Ave. E.  

The reforms are required to comply with the Montana Land Use Planning Act passed by the state Legislature in 2023. The law mandates that 10 cities, including Kalispell, Whitefish and Columbia Falls, adopt a new land use plan along with updated zoning and subdivision regulations.  

The most controversial provision of the law overhauls public participation in subdivision proposals. If Council approves the new regulations, subdivision projects would skip public hearings before the Planning Commission and Council and instead be approved administratively. Annexations and zoning changes would still undergo a public process. 

Although the Kalispell Planning Commission ultimately endorsed the changes in March, several members criticized them for taking power away from both elected officials and residents. 

Commission President Chad Graham was the only member to vote against overhauling the public comment process, arguing that community input improved proposals brought before the city. 

The provision of the law repealing public hearings was the subject of a lawsuit that argued it violated the Montana Constitution’s right of participation, but the state Supreme Court upheld the rule in March. 

The state Legislature in 2024 added revisions to the law allowing residents to provide written comments during a 15-business-day window that opens after city planning staff publishes its initial determination on the proposal.  

After the comment period ends, planning staff would assess any input and issue a decision on the proposed project within 20 days. Residents can still appeal the decision to planning staff, the Planning Commission, Council or even Flathead County District Court.  

Council adopted the new land use plan by a narrow margin after four councilors unsuccessfully attempted to reject a revision designating a large swath of land west of town as an “area of concern,” citing its importance as a stopover for tens of thousands of migratory waterfowl.  

The document will now guide city planners as they review future development proposals. 

COUNCILORS WILL also review reforms aimed at loosening zoning restrictions to bolster higher density development.  

The Planning Commission recommended amendments to the city’s zoning rules that include allowing duplexes, townhomes and accessory dwelling units in all residential zones, making multifamily dwellings permitted uses in commercial zones and reducing lot sizes by 25% across all zones.  

The commission also supported reducing minimum parking requirements to align with a state law passed last year. 

While no voting will take place Monday, Council must adopt the changes before the state-set May 17 deadline.  

Reporter Jack Underhill can be reached at 406-758-4407 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.