Citizens
For A Better Flathead
P.O.
Box 771, 35 4th St. West, Kalispell, MT 59903
t. 406.756.8993
f. 406 756-8991
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Citizens
For A Better Flathead |
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Putting
Together the Planning Puzzle Flathead County Growth Policy - Adopted March 19, 2007 Kalispell Growth Policy - Adopted February 18, 2003 Whitefish Growth Policy - Adopted November, 2007 and updated February, 2009 Columbia Falls Growth Policy- To obtain a copy of the growth policy contact the City of Columbia Falls What is a growth policy? Growth policies are critical to our valley's future because they set forth the goals and policies that shape how we will expand our communities into these areas. A growth policy's purpose is to make room for more businesses and homes while safeguarding the attractive town and country atmosphere that is essential to our identity and success as a region. Growth policies are not just about where or how we grow. They are also very much about good jobs, fair taxes, affordable housing choices and community character. It's
a huge puzzle: A 1000-square mile valley wedged between Glacier
National Park and Flathead Lake, the largest freshwater lake west of
the Mississippi. There are many pieces: The economy, taxes,
jobs, natural resources, unparalleled beauty, community character,
neighborhoods, housing, industry, retail, transportation, public
services, clean air and water, hunting and fishing, hiking and boating,
access, and critical wildlife habitat. The pieces are getting
smaller: Between 1973 and 2000, 162,596 acres of land were divided into
18,671 parcels in Flathead County. Between 1974 and 1997, average farm size
dropped 44 percent. Gated developments are becoming more common. More
and more people want a piece of the puzzle: Between 1990 and 2000, the
population grew by 26 percent adding 15,253 new residents at a rate of
growth twice that of the state, enough to fill a new city the size of
Kalispell . How should we direct the growth that will come
with the 16,500 new residents projected to move to the Flathead Valley
in the next fifteen years? Will we expand our communities to make room
for more businesses and neighbors and still safeguard the attractive
patterns of town and country that are essential to our identity and
success as a region? Click on the links to
the right to find out more about the pieces to this puzzle. FAQ | Contact Us |
