Planning commission reviews draft land‑use plan chapter on local services and facility‑plan updates

On Sept. 9, 2025, the Kalispell City Planning Commission held a work session to review the draft land use plan (growth policy) chapters that address local services and facilities. PJ, city planning staff, led the presentation and described how the proposed land use plan incorporates existing facility plans by reference and notes several updates that are underway.

Why it matters

The draft chapters guide infrastructure priorities—public safety, water and sewer capacity, stormwater management, transportation corridors, and parks—and will shape how the city plans capital improvements and coordinates with service providers and regional agencies.

What staff presented

PJ walked commissioners through the proposed chapter structure (issues, goals, policies, recommendations) and called out recent and planned facility plans incorporated by reference: the water facility plan (adopted 2019), sanitary sewer/wastewater treatment facility plan (2020), transportation plan (2021), stormwater facility plan (adopted 2008, with an update underway), a police operations report (2022), a fire/EMS report (2023) and a solid-waste master plan (2024). PJ also noted the public-safety levy approved by voters in 2024 and said engineering firms have been contracted to update several facility plans.

Public safety and EMS

PJ said the draft calls attention to gaps in public safety service capacity and to finances for EMS: "Only approximately one third of EMS bills are paid by customers when they utilize the service, and about two thirds of them go unpaid," he said, noting that unpaid bills affect EMS financing. Staff said they will meet with police and fire departments to confirm details such as automatic/mutual aid agreements and the department ISO rating.

Utilities and stormwater

Staff described water‑system issues, including a developing third pressure zone tied to growth near Foyes Lake Road and the need to maintain water rights, looping and fire-flow capacity. PJ said the city has approximately 150 miles of sanitary sewer mains, 43 public lift stations and a wastewater treatment plant; staff reiterated objectives to reduce infiltration and connect properties on septic to city sewer when feasible. The stormwater section emphasizes MS4 permit compliance and the need to address problem drainage areas; PJ said the stormwater facility plan update is in progress.

Transportation and parks

Staff summarized transportation plan items (the 2021 plan is incorporated by reference), noted 145 miles of city roadway and said 36.8 miles are rated poor or very poor on the pavement-condition index. The draft continues the city's complete-streets approach, highlights long-standing priorities such as improved east-west connections near Whitefish Stage and Oregon Street and encourages coordination on alternative funding. The parks chapter notes a parks master plan update (the prior plan dated 2006), recent new multipurpose fields and the Ashley Creek Park annexation work.

Next steps

PJ said the draft chapters remain a working document. Staff will follow up with police and fire departments, continue work on the education chapter, and bring additional chapters (economic development, natural resources, land-use map, implementation) to future meetings. The commission's next meeting is scheduled for Oct. 14, 2025, when staff expects to continue work sessions on the draft growth policy.

Ending

No formal actions or votes occurred on the land use chapters during the Sept. 9 work session. Staff said finalized facility-plan updates and outstanding technical items will be incorporated before any public hearing or formal recommendation to City Council.