Columbia Falls planners weigh future land-use map, septic risk and $28–30 million wastewater upgrade

Planning commissioners on the Columbia Falls Planning Commission reviewed a draft future land‑use map and accompanying vision and goals that staff say are intended to guide, not regulate, where the city wants growth to occur.

The presentation, led by consultants and staff, highlighted county polling and a septic‑risk GIS model. Nathan Dugan, who identified himself as executive director and submitted the polling packet to the commission, summarized a survey of 615 Flathead County voters (conducted Feb. 20–25, 2026 with a margin of error of ±4%) showing that roughly seven in 10 respondents believe the county lacks enough housing. Dugan said 54% of Columbia Falls respondents answered that they do not see a long‑term future in the county, and that 64% of voters countywide prioritize building more homes to reduce housing costs rather than limiting construction to protect neighborhood character.

Consultants walked commissioners through new map features staff propose adding to the 2019 growth policy: an explicit downtown designation around Nucleus Avenue (mixed commercial and upper‑story…