With public hearings being phased out, Kalispell City Council looks for new ways to inform residents of subdivision proposals

City councilors on Monday agreed to find ways to alert residents to proposed subdivisions in Kalispell as state law phases out public review before municipal leaders.  

The discussion occurred during an April 13 work session on state-mandated land use changes designed to encourage higher-density housing and relegate subdivision approvals to an administrative process. Under existing rules, subdivisions go before the city’s Planning Commission and Council, which holds public hearings on the proposals. 

The provision of the Montana Land Use Planning Act that removed public hearings was subject to a lawsuit that argued the change violated the Montana Constitution’s right of participation. The state Supreme Court upheld the change in March. 

Before the high court’s decision, the state Legislature tweaked the process with Senate Bill 121 in 2025, requiring a notice and giving the public 15 business days to submit written comments on a proposal.  

But after that bill expires in summer 2027, only certain proposals will need a notice and comment period.   

Councilor Dustin Leftridge introduced an amendment to create an online portal containing application materials on proposed developments and instructions for submitting public comment.   

“What I would like to do is figure out a way in order to create a more robust notice requirement that would allow the public to have access to this information in a timely manner,” Leftridge said. 

Other councilors agreed the city needs a clear notification process and accessible way for residents to stay informed before construction begins. 

“We’re asking the public to act faster — we’re going to have to act faster,” Councilor Sid Daoud said.  

Residents and developers can still appeal decisions made by planning staff starting with the city’s Development Services Department and up to Flathead County District Court. Councilor Sid Daoud predicted that the process could be exploited if residents overwhelmed the city with multiple filings.  

“I could already see a great way to abuse it,” Daoud said.  

Under the state law, preliminary plats would be approved administratively while final plat approval would still go before Council. Mayor Ryan Hunter said this could push public frustration to the final stage of the process, when the Council would have little ability to reject a proposal meeting its requirements.  

“That final plat approval is going to be a madhouse when it comes to controversial projects,” Hunter warned.  

City Manager Jarod Nygren said that planning staff also will have to adapt to the changes, because scheduling had been largely based around when proposals were brought before the Planning Commission.  

“Our world is kind of changing ... We’re going to have to rethink how we stay on schedule and get these notices out because it’ll be a little more fluid than it has been in the past,” Nygren said. 

While no voting took place, Council must adopt the zoning and subdivision regulation changes before the state-set May 17 deadline.   

Reporter Jack Underhill can be reached at 406-758-4407 or junderhill@dailyinterlake.com. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.