Livable Flathead Public Comment1
Aimee Brunckhorst
From:Nathan Dugan <nathan@livableflathead.org>
Sent:Thursday, March 12, 2026 11:23 AM
To:Nathan Dugan
Subject:EXTERNAL Livable Flathead Growth Report for 2045 Comprehensive Land Use Plans
Attachments:Press Release - An Analysis of Growth in the Flathead Valley Since 2000.pdf
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Good morning,
Please accept this new Livable Flathead report and accompanying press release into the public
record for your respective 2045 Comprehensive Land Use Plans. As our cities work toward the May
2026 deadline under the Montana Land Use Planning Act, our data demonstrates that continuing
current development trends will inevitably cause Kalispell to sprawl to the size of modern-day
Seattle, paving over tens of thousands of acres of agricultural land and open space. However, our
modeling also reveals that by implementing actionable zoning strategies—such as al lowing midrise
apartments, permitting multiple accessory dwelling units per lot, and reducing minimum lot
sizes—Columbia Falls, Kalispell, and Whitefish can collectively save over 100 square miles of open
space over the next century while accommodating the growth that 69% of surveyed Flathead
County voters want to see focused within existing city limits.
Best,
--
Nathan Dugan Executive Director
Livable Flathead
(406) 209-8428 | nathan@livableflathead.org
Livable Flathead works to direct growth in the Flathead Valley proactively, using evidence-based
policies to foster economic opportunities, interconnected transportation, and abundant housing
options for all.
2
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