Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Zoning And Subdivisions topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Columbia Falls approves first readings to update zoning and subdivision rules under state law
Summary
Council approved first readings of Ordinances 844 (Title 17 zoning) and 843 (Title 18 subdivision regulations) to bring local code into compliance with MALoUPA; staff said changes permit duplexes in former single-family zones and allow multifamily/mixed use in commercial zones, and flagged wording edits for manufactured-home provisions.
The Columbia Falls City Council approved first readings June 8 for two ordinances to update the municipal zoning and subdivision regulations to meet state land-use requirements.
Eric (city staff) told the council the Title 17 and Title 18 changes are primarily implementation steps to bring the city code into alignment with the state planning statute. He said some of the specific changes include permitting duplexes in formerly single-family zones, allowing multifamily and mixed use in commercial zones, removing certain extraterritorial agricultural zones that no longer apply under MALoUPA, and moving manufactured-home and RV-park rules into the zoning code where appropriate.
Counselor Kelly flagged wording inconsistencies where manufactured-home park language still referenced “subdivision” in several places; staff acknowledged those were likely typos and committed to remove or correct them.
The council conducted combined public hearings on the Title 17 and Title 18 changes; no members of the public testified on those items. Ordinance 844 (Title 17) and Ordinance 843 (Title 18) passed first reading by voice vote. Staff said they had consulted planners and legal counsel in neighboring cities while drafting the changes and will continue refining the text prior to later readings and final adoption.
