City Planning Commission

The City Council is recruiting  one additional applicant for the new Planning Commission as it works toward complying with a law passed by the State Legislature in 2023. The need to create the new Planning Commission follows the enactment of Senate Bill 382, commonly known as the Montana Land Use Planning Act (MLUPA). The City has until May  17, 2026 to fully implement the MLUPA.

The Council approved establishing the Commission at 5 members and will formally approve the establishment of the Commission and the term of service on January 16, 2024 by Resolution.   Upon full implementation and compliance with the MLUPA, the Planning Commission will be created by ordinance with all the roles and responsibilities outlined in the act – combining the functions of a traditional planning board with the functions and responsibilities of the zoning commission and board of adjustments.

Initially, the  Planning  Commission  will focus on the review and recommendation of an updated Land Use Plan and map, updating the City zoning regulations and zoning map, and updating the subdivision regulations. All five positions will expire on May 17, 2026, or when the MLUPA has been fully implemented, whichever happens first. The City Council will have the opportunity to re-appoint members of the Planning Commission or appoint their successors once the first term expires.

While the City works on implementing MLUPA, it will still have the Columbia Falls City-County Planning Board/Zoning Commission and the Board of Adjustment. Once the MLUPA is implemented, the Planning Commission will assume the responsibilities of both those boards, and they will cease to exist. 

The City Council appointed four individuals to the Planning Commission and is still seeking one additional member. If you are interested,  please send letter of interest, including answering the questions below to the City Clerk.

The City of Columbia Falls is accepting letters of interest for the  remaining City Planning Commission opening. Letters may be submitted to City Clerk Staaland at staalandb@cityofcolumbiafalls.com or City Hall, 130 6th St. W., Columbia Falls, MT 59912.

The City Council has asked that your letters of interest address the following questions:

1.Why do you want to be on the New Planning Commission?

2. How do you define growth? For our City to stay vibrant, growth is essential. What kind of growth do you envision?

3. What is your understanding of zoning regulations and how they apply during the planning process?

4. What approach should the Planning Commission use in engaging the community in the new planning process? 

The inaugural Planning  Commission members appointed by Council include:

Darin Fisher, Mark Johnson, Sam Kavanagh, and Justin Ping.

At their first meeting, March 7, 2024, the Board set their regular meeting date as the 2nd Thursday of each month.