City will hold workshop on growth, public invited

The Columbia Falls City Council will hold a workshop to have an open discussion with members of the public on growth and housing starting at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 27.

The discussion will not talk about a 180-unit proposed subdivision east of the river because the meeting will be between the planning board’s decision and the council’s decision on the project.

But growth, the city’s growth policy and housing will be discussed in broader terms.

At last week’s city council meeting there was an informal back-and-forth discussion between some council members and the public.

Councilman Darin Fisher claimed at some point the city is going to need higher density development in order to have affordable housing for service industry workers like teachers, police and firefighters.

The median house in Columbia Falls has skyrocketed since the pandemic and now is about $573,000. Just a few years ago it was less than half that.

But the bigger debate is where to put the housing. Many folks don’t want to see the Flathead River compromised by high density homes adjacent to the river, which is a world-class body of water,

“Does it (high density) housing have to be along the Flathead River? That’s the big concern,” one resident noted.

When asked where high density housing is most appropriate, many in the audience said, “West.”

But going west means extending sewer and water lines about three miles. Going under the Flathead River isn’t going to be cheap either.

The cost of new homes was also a topic of discussion, as more than a few have now breached $1 million.

The Benches subdivision east of the Flathead River, however, homes list for $675,000 and $769,000.

But even a $300,000 home isn’t really affordable for the working class, one community member told council.

A deeper dive into the subject is promised at the workshop. As a workshop, council will have no action items on the agenda.