The Columbia Falls City Council voted to approve a growth‑policy amendment, a zone change and a preliminary plat allowing Habitat for Humanity of Flathead Valley to develop six single‑family homes on a city parcel adjacent to Railroad Avenue.

The plan commission reviewed the three related applications on May 8 and “recommended approval of these 3 applications unanimously,” City Planner Eric McKayheed said during the council presentation. The council subsequently adopted the staff reports as findings of fact and approved the amendment, zone change and preliminary plat by roll‑call votes with no recorded opposition.

The applications change the growth‑policy map designation from open space to urban residential, rezone the site from CB‑2 (general business) to R‑5 (residential two‑family classification) and establish a six‑lot preliminary plat. McKayheed told the council the change would “match much of what’s around it” and that the proposed single‑family lots match the density of surrounding blocks. He also summarized that the site is an infill parcel within city limits with no wetlands, floodplain or other environmental constraints identified in staff review.

A Habitat for Humanity representative told the council the organization plans modest, energy‑efficient houses and that the units would be priced in the $315,000–$400,000 range. “The houses that we will build … are 2 bedroom to 4 bedroom houses between 315 to $400,000 each,” the representative said, and added that Habitat homeowners participate in volunteer build hours and a mentorship program.

Staff and the planning commission recommended approval subject to 15 conditions attached to the preliminary plat. Conditions listed by staff include construction substantially consistent with the preliminary plat, installation of a 5‑foot sidewalk along C Street East North and Fourth Avenue East North per Columbia Falls Public Works standards, securing public works permits for new access points, creation of a homeowners association responsible for long‑term maintenance of the common area, review and approval of water/sewer/stormwater plans by the Public Works Director and the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, appointment of a certified engineer to inspect public infrastructure, utility installation requirements, and a three‑year expiration for the preliminary plat if final platting does not occur.

Council members asked staff to clarify stormwater and sidewalk expectations. McKayheed said no curb and gutter is required along C Street because the existing street lacks curb; the applicant must submit an on‑site stormwater management plan that ensures post‑development runoff does not exceed pre‑development rates. On maintenance questions, staff said the developer will maintain the park and common areas until buildout and turnover to the homeowners association, and that the city will not assume maintenance of the HOA pocket park unless otherwise agreed.

During public comment, several neighborhood residents and representatives praised Habitat’s work and raised questions about street conditions, snow storage and parking. Planning Commission Chairman Darren Fisher, who attended the commission meeting, reiterated the commission’s unanimous recommendation and emphasized that several commissioners had personal or direct connections to housing work in the community.

The council adopted the staff reports (GP‑25‑01, CZ‑25‑01 and CPP‑25‑01) as findings of fact and approved the growth‑policy amendment, zone change and preliminary plat. The council directed the city manager to prepare the appropriate resolutions and ordinances for subsequent meetings and to carry the 15 conditions forward into final plat review.