Michael Barnhart

The Kalispell Land Use Plan (PLAN-IT 2045) provides a comprehensive framework to guide the city's growth and development through 2045, mandated by the Montana Land Use Planning Act. It focuses on balancing development with infrastructure capacity, ensuring affordable and diverse housing options, and preserving the community's unique character and natural resources. Key areas addressed include housing needs, local services and facilities, economic development, and environmental protection, all informed by extensive public input to foster a resilient and thriving community.

The City Council meeting agenda included several key action items under the Consent Agenda and Reports, Recommendations, and Council Action sections. Consent Agenda items included the approval of the January 26, 2026, Council Minutes. Under action items, the Council was set to consider final plat approval for Bitterroot Heights, No. 2; a two-year extension for Stillwater Village Preliminary Plat via Resolution 6308; the first reading of an ordinance (Ordinance 1949) to amend the Municipal Code regarding parking restrictions on Fourth Street East; approval via Resolution 6309 for submitting a BUILD Grant Application for the Kalispell Bypass; and consideration of modifying record request fees and procedures via Resolution 6310. A separate City Council Work Session was scheduled immediately following the regular meeting to discuss the ongoing review of the Kalispell Land Use Plan Draft.

The meeting focused on several agenda items requiring recommendation to the Kalispell City Council. Key discussions involved File #KPP-25-06 (Bloomstone Apartments), which is a proposed resubdivision of property for financing purposes, and File #KPP-25-07 (Starling Phases 5 & 6), proposing 54 residential lots. The commission also reviewed File #KZTA-26-01, concerning proposed zoning ordinance text amendments to incorporate recent state law changes and align with the Land Use Plan. Staff recommended approvals for the preliminary plats and the adoption of the text amendments.

The Kalispell Land Use Plan, 'PLAN-IT 2045,' serves as a comprehensive roadmap for managing the City's growth from 2025 to 2045. It addresses key areas including housing demand and affordability, local services and facilities (public safety, healthcare, utilities, transportation, education), economic development, and the protection of natural resources and the environment. The plan aims to guide Kalispell's evolution as a sustainable, inclusive, and prosperous regional center, ensuring balanced development while preserving community character and quality of life for its projected population growth.

The meeting agenda included a public hearing for File #KA-26-01, which involves a petition for annexation and initial zoning of B-2 (General Business) for approximately 4.2 acres of property located at 1430, 1440 US Highway 2 West. Another public hearing item concerned the request to include 4th Avenue West between 5th Street West and 6th Street West within the Westside Parking Management Zone, supported by a petition from 80% of property owners. Finally, the commission was scheduled to address File #KSTA-26-01, proposed subdivision regulation text amendments intended to incorporate recent state law changes and align the ordinance with the Montana Land Use Planning Act, making subdivision review primarily an administrative process. The agenda also noted that minutes from the February 10, 2026 meeting were subject to approval.