The Future Great Falls 2045 Land Use Plan and Growth Policy, adopted by Resolution 10631 at CityCommission2026-06-16, carried 5-0. It replaces the City's previous growth policy and brings Great Falls into compliance with the MontanaLandUsePlanningAct.
Planning and Community Development Director Brock Cherry presented it as a multi-year effort to update the City's long-range land use framework. The consultant was Orion Planning & Consulting; City staff named on the project were Associate City Planner Alaina Mattimiro and Senior City Planner Andrew Finch.
A key component is the Future Land Use Map, the FLUM, which identifies the City's preferred long-term development pattern within the City and in certain adjacent areas where growth may occur over the next twenty years. It is not zoning. It is a policy guide for future land use decisions, infrastructure investment, annexations and development proposals.
The plan was built around early public engagement — surveys, workshops, stakeholder meetings, mapping exercises, comment opportunities, draft review and presentations. The Commission gave direction on outstanding items at the special work session of SpecialWorkSession2026-05-19, and the Version III draft reflected that direction. One further question was put to the Commission at adoption: whether to add NorthWestern? Energy's recommended implementation language encouraging early coordination on energy infrastructure for major developments, annexations, subdivision extensions, industrial projects and large energy users.
Work sessions along the way: SpecialWorkSession2026-01-06, WorkSession2026-04-07 and SpecialWorkSession2026-05-19.
Minutes, June 16, 2026: https://greatfallsmt.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_06162026-485 Resolutions: https://greatfallsmt.gov/257/Resolutions
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