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Columbia Falls planning commission outlines fast-track 20-year land-use plan, seeks consultant and public input
Summary
Commissioners reviewed a staff plan to meet Montana's new land-use law, discussed hiring a consultant and a tight timeline (open houses in winter, council workshop Jan. 26, target approval May 18), and heard a public comment urging robust outreach and affordable-housing focus.
Columbia Falls planning commissioners on Tuesday reviewed staff’s proposed schedule and public-engagement approach to produce a 20-year land-use plan required under the Montana Land Use Planning Act and discussed hiring a consultant to lead outreach and plan drafting.
Planner (unnamed staff) told the commission the state law (adopted in 2023 through Senate Bill 382 and amended in 2025) creates a new 20-year planning horizon and imposes specific requirements the city must satisfy. The planner said the city aims to onboard a land-use consultant by October–November, hold initial public open houses in December–January, brief the council at a Jan. 26 workshop, and target a second reading and approval of the plan on May 18.
Why it matters: The state law narrows some local discretion on zoning and subdivision standards, staff said, and includes changes that affect parking and building heights in certain…
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