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Council grants two-year extension to Granite Heights preliminary plat amid wastewater-capacity discussion
Summary
Faced with a developer request and questions about state rules, Columbia Falls approved a two-year extension for the Granite Heights preliminary plat after staff said the developer had met prior infrastructure requirements and the city expects increased wastewater capacity.
Columbia Falls — The City Council voted Feb. 17 to grant a two-year extension to the preliminary plat for Granite Heights subdivision after staff and councilors debated statutory limits and utility capacity.
City staff said the preliminary plat was set to expire July 6, 2026, and the developer requested a two-year extension. Staff reported the developer has secured a floodplain development permit and Flathead Conservation approvals previously and has completed engineering design for water and sewer. City staff advised the council that the project met the criteria for an extension and that existing allocations and prior calculations had included the project when assessing wastewater capacity.
Councilors discussed Montana Code Annotated 76-25-409, which sets an initial approval term of not less than one year and not more than five, and allows extensions; council members also referenced local Resolution 1851 language permitting council-granted extensions. One councilor asked whether the city could limit an extension to one year instead of two to avoid tying up allocated capacity; staff said the council may grant an extension and that the project team has made prior progress.
A motion to grant the two-year extension passed on roll call with Councilors Price, Robinson, King, Piper and Mayor Barnhart voting 'Aye.' Staff noted the extension does not currently block other projects and that future final-plat conditions would hold the developer to infrastructure and design requirements at the final-plat stage.
Staff said upcoming wastewater-performance studies (PERS) and a planned bioreactor expansion could increase capacity; the city will continue to monitor utility capacity as the project advances.
