how can a desirable western town manage overwhelming growth pressure?

SUMMARY

Whitefish is a picture-perfect small town in the mountains of Western Montana that has transitioned from a timber and rail economy to one revolving around outdoor recreation and second homes. The Covid-19 pandemic opened the floodgates of housing demand in Whitefish, compounding housing challenges that were also facing the country and the State of Montana more broadly. In response, Montana passed new legislation intended to influence local planning and zoning controls for the purpose of spurring more housing production. This one-two punch left Whitefish in need of a new comprehensive plan--known as a Growth Policy in Montana--that could both manage increased development pressures in a locally responsible way and comply with requirements of the state's new Land Use Planning Act. During the fall of 2025 and winter of 2026, czb worked with City staff, policymakers, and stakeholders on the Land Use Element of the new Growth Policy, helping the City of Whitefish to figure out future land uses, the distribution of potential new housing, and how to maintain the community's unique character as it grows and develops. 

The Growth Policy was officially adopted in April of 2026. czb was retained for follow-up work to assist the City with development code updates that would implement the Growth Policy and help bring Whitefish into MLUPA compliance ahead of a critical October 2026 deadline.