Kalispell City Council will vote Monday on land use regulations aimed at promoting higher density development and streamlining the subdivision approval process.  

Council meets at 7 p.m., April 17 in City Hall, 201 First Ave. E.  

Councilors will vote on whether to adopt two provisions under the Montana Land Use Planning Act, a 2023 state law requiring 10 cities — including Kalispell, Whitefish and Columbia Falls — to approve a new land use plan and updated zoning and subdivision regulations.  

The law’s most controversial provision would remove public hearings from the subdivision review process and place approvals with city staff. Currently, subdivisions must be reviewed by the Planning Commission and City Council in public hearings.  

City leaders have criticized the changes for taking decision-making power away from elected officials and the public. Councilors during an April 13 work session discussed ways to alert residents to proposed subdivisions, including creating an online portal where applications could be viewed.  

A draft of updates to the public participation plan will be up for a public hearing in front of the Planning Commission on May 12 and will be considered by Council on June 1, according to city officials.  

The second provision up for a vote Monday involves changes to the city’s zoning rules. The Montana Land Use Planning Act requires Kalispell to adopt at least five of 14 zoning reforms outlined in the legislation. 

The Planning Commission in February recommended eight strategies, including allowing duplexes, townhomes and accessor dwelling units in all residential zones; permitting multifamily housing in commercial and office zones; and reducing minimum lot sizes by 25% citywide.  

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

Council adopted the new land use plan earlier this month. The document will now guide city planners as they review future development proposals.  

COUNCIL WILL also vote to adopt the city’s updated stormwater facility plan.  

The updates rely on new data that city officials say will help guide stormwater system upgrades to prevent flooding. The plan identifies where Kalispell’s existing network of streets and underground pipes falls short and outlines where improvements are needed.  

New modeling shows that about one-third of the city’s pipes would be unable to handle a 10-year minor storm — a storm with a 10% chance of occurring in any given year. Current engineering standards require storm drains to manage storms of this size without backing up.  

The plan generally calls for larger pipes, new trunk lines, channel upgrades and improved lift stations throughout the system. It outlines future infrastructure projects through 2045. 

COUNCIL WILL also decide whether to enter into another collective bargaining agreement with the Kalispell Police Association that includes two pay raises over two years.  

The agreement includes a 4% increase in base salary for fiscal year 2028 and a 4% base wage increase for fiscal 2029, according to a memo from City Manager Jarod Nygren.  

The current agreement ends on June 30, and the new one would be valid through 2029. 

Officers Josh Fant, KC Siderius and Hunter Shae will be sworn in by Council on Monday after completing their 1-year probationary period.  

COUNCIL IS also expected to contract KG&T Septic and Excavation to replace around 1,500 feet of water main along 10th Avenue West between Fourth Street West and Eighth Street West. The city must pull $1.07 million from its Water Fund for the project.  

LSW Architects is expected to be selected to provide architectural and engineering services for the Kalispell Fire Department’s planned west-side fire station.  

The forthcoming station, the city’s third, is slated to go up on city-owned land at 490 Mountain Vista Way just east of Farm to Market Road. City Hall issued a request for proposals in February. 

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.