Planning commission recommends adoption of Kalispell Land Use Plan (Plan 2045) to council after public comment; vote 6–1

The Kalispell Planning Commission on Jan. 13 recommended that the City Council adopt the Kalispell Land Use Plan (Plan 2045), forwarding the staff report after a lengthy presentation, commissioner questions, and several public comments. The motion passed by roll call, 6–1; Commissioner Chad Graham voted no.

Staff framed Plan 2045 as an update required in part by the Montana Land Use Planning Act (MLUPA, Senate Bill 382), which changes how qualifying cities plan and process land‑use decisions. Donnie McBath, Planner II, told the commission MLUPA shifts certain project reviews to an administrative model and requires an adopted land‑use plan, a public participation plan, a future land use map and an implementation program. He summarized the plan’s chapters, which cover existing conditions, projected population and housing needs through 2045, community growth and design, housing strategies, local services and facilities, economic development, natural resources and hazards,…