Sunday, May 10, 2026
55.0°F

Kalispell City Council continues review of land use plan

JACK UNDERHILL | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 months, 2 weeks AGO
by JACK UNDERHILL
KALISPELL GOVERNMENT, HOUSING AND TRANSPORTATION REPORTER Jack Underhill covers Kalispell city government, housing and transportation for the Daily Inter Lake. His reporting focuses on how local policy decisions affect residents and the rapidly growing Flathead Valley. Underhill has reported on housing challenges, infrastructure issues and regional service providers across Montana. His work also includes accountability reporting on complex community issues and public institutions. Originally from Massachusetts, Underhill graduated from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst with a degree in Journalism before joining the Inter Lake. In his free time, Underhill enjoys mountain biking around the valley, skiing up on Big Mountain or exploring Glacier National Park. IMPACT: Jack’s work helps residents understand how growth, housing and infrastructure decisions affect the future of their community. | February 22, 2026 11:00 PM

Kalispell City Council on Monday night will continue reviewing a new land use plan meant to guide the city’s growth for the next 20 years.  

Council meets at 7 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 23 in City Hall, 201 First Ave. E.  

Kalispell has been tasked with crafting a new land use plan in accordance with the Montana Land Use Planning Act, a 2023 state law aimed at streamlining housing construction through restricting the public comment process on site-specific developments and instituting zoning and subdivision regulation reforms that promote high density.  

Council on Monday night will begin reviewing changes to the fourth chapter — local services and facilities — that were requested during last week’s meeting before moving into chapters five, six and potentially seven, which cover the city’s economic development, natural resources and future land use map. 

Over the past two months, Council has held three meetings to review the first four chapters of the land use plan. The Planning Commission held 16 work sessions since fall 2024 to help city staff craft the document, according to a memo from Assistant Development Services Director PJ Sorensen.  

Reporter Jack Underhill can be reached at 758-4407 and [email protected]

ARTICLES BY JACK UNDERHILL

Coalition, cruisers seek solutions to curb reckless driving on Kalispell's Main Street
May 10, 2026 midnight

Coalition, cruisers seek solutions to curb reckless driving on Kalispell's Main Street

The Downtown Forward Coalition has begun meeting with cruising enthusiasts, exploring ways to curb reckless driving along Main Street on Friday nights.

Flathead Valley Reentry Center prepares to release first residents, plans to add more staff
May 9, 2026 midnight

Flathead Valley Reentry Center prepares to release first residents, plans to add more staff

The Flathead Valley Reentry Center is fully operational and on track to release its first resident offenders into the community this month.

Defense argues self-defense as Jeffrey Serio's homicide trial opens in Flathead County District Court
May 6, 2026 midnight

Defense argues self-defense as Jeffrey Serio's homicide trial opens in Flathead County District Court

Suspected murderer Jeffrey Serio’s attorney argued Tuesday that the 48-year-old acted in self-defense when he fatally ran over Maurice “Mory” Grigg with his car on an august evening last year.