While Kalispell has a relatively good track record of granting approvals for zoning flexibilities, we all know public hearings for new housing aren’t without controversy as nosy neighbors show up in force to pressure city leaders, often successfully, to shut down new home development. Last spring for example, the Kalispell City Council approved a development to be an extra 28 feet taller in their downtown area than the zoning normally allows, enabling the creation of 78 new homes directly in the city center. Zoning requirements have become so substantial that it is routine to see small and big developers alike beg local officials for a respite from the zoning requirements in order to get homes built within or nearby existing urban areas. Columbia Falls is the worst out of the three, outright prohibiting duplexes in 93% of the city. with 63% of primary residential areas that prohibit duplexes. After factoring in minimum lot area regulations, the Atlas found Whitefish set up like a mini-L.A. Kalispell for instance welcomes duplexes by-right on only 48% of zoned land and triplexes on just 3%. Much like L.A., a vast majority of Kalispell, Whitefish and Columbia Falls are reserved only for expensive single-family homes on large lots. As of 2022, 74% of L.A.’s residential areas were restricted to only single-family homes, zoning out the most affordable types of starter homes for young families like duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes.įrontier Institute’s Montana Zoning Atlas report finds striking similarities between L.A’s zoning map and the Flathead Valley. The result was a litany of government zoning regulations which forced new homes and lots be larger, more expensive and further away from city centers than what the free market might decide. L.A’s transformation began in the 20th Century when government planners decided they, not the people, knew what was best for the booming city. Much like the cities and towns in the Flathead Valley today, LA was once defined by its access to the outdoors, clean air and elbow room – a far cry from the city we know today. If we don’t want Montana to become like California, we must address the California-Style zoning regulations in our cities before it’s too late. In 25 years, the valley could be home to miles of urban sprawl that takes over our treasured open spaces and rural communities. If our cities are zoned like Los Angeles., that means the Flathead Valley will grow like L.A. Kalispell, Whitefish and Columbia Falls look hardly anything like Los Angeles from the surface right now, but their zoning maps look eerily similar. California-style urban sprawl is coming for the Flathead Valley.
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