Kalispell still seeking public input on growth policy

A hearing for the long-awaited Kalispell Growth Policy drew no response from the public on Monday, much to the dismay of the City Council.

The “PLAN-IT 2030” policy, which draws up a framework to guide growth in and around Kalispell over the next 20 years, was open to public comment and questions, but was met with a resounding silence on Monday.

The council will hold a work session on the growth policy on Oct. 27, during council members will again ask for public feedback. A vote is expected on the document at the council’s Nov. 3 meeting.

The growth policy looks at three key planning areas: Kalispell city limits, an area covering 11.75 square miles; land beyond city limits where annexation could be reasonable within the next decade; and the Growth Policy Planning Area that extends 3 miles out from city limits and is the area anticipated for growth in the future.

While the growth policy is an official public document, it doesn’t create law or regulate development. Instead, it is a community guide for making land-use decisions. The council still hopes to receive public feedback on the plan before it’s finalized.

Once the growth policy is adopted, the next step is to begin to develop five key projects, including the Core Area Plan and a downtown plan to energize the historic city core. Other projects are the South Kalispell Urban Renewal Plan, the Kalispell Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan and the Kalispell Transportation Plan Update.

It accounts for anticipated growth over the next 30 to 50 years.

The policy will be open for public discussion at the Oct. 27 work session. The council urges the community to attend and voice any questions or concerns.