Work Session Memo Development Services Department
201 1st Avenue East Kalispell, MT 59901 Phone: (406) 758-7940 Fax: (406) 758-7739 www.kalispell.com/planning
To: Kalispell Planning Commission From: PJ Sorensen, Assistant Director
Date: December 10, 2024 Work Session – Land Use Plan BACKGROUND: In the last legislative session, the Montana Legislature passed Senate Bill 382, which created the new Montana Land Use Planning Act. Under the Act, for cities such as Kalispell,
the current growth policy, subdivision regulations, and zoning regulations are largely replaced with a
new land use planning paradigm. The concept is that a land use plan is established with extensive public input. The plan then becomes a guiding document for land use decisions, many of which, such as subdivisions, become administrative rather than conducted through a public hearing process. The opportunity for the public to be engaged comes with the process establishing the plan and
regulations, not with review of a site-specific project.
This work session is the second in a series the Planning Commission will hold in the coming months. It is intended that the focus of this work session will be a summary of facility plans, including, but not necessarily limited to, sanitary sewer, water, transportation, storm water, and solid waste. Future
work sessions will be noticed and a formal hearing will be held before the Commission forwards a
recommendation to the City Council for its action. Attachments:
Montana Land Use Planning Act (CHAPTER 25. MONTANA LAND USE PLANNING ACT -
Table of Contents, Title 76, MCA) Water, Sanitary Sewer, Storm Water, Solid Waste and Transportation Facility Plans