The commission approved Resolution 5179 to update Livingston’s official zoning map to match a recently adopted text amendment, adding multiple technical changes and three commission‑directed amendments (CBD boundaries, a northeast parcel rezoned to R‑1, and several industrial/LMU adjustments). Staff also received direction to return with a narrow text amendment to allow hospitals as a conditional use in industrial zones.

Mayor William Cole and residents condemned antisemitic vandalism at Mayflower Congregational Church; local groups and residents urged stronger community action, and the Billings Police Department is investigating.

A contentious proposal to connect Meadowlark Mobile Home Park to city water using a $2 million DEQ grant prompted questions about annexation, costs and precedent; after a heated council debate and a motion to deny, the applicant withdrew the request to allow further work with staff.

City staff presented population and housing inventories and a housing-needs assessment that estimates a 20-year need of roughly 930–1,500 units; speakers urged denser, mixed-use, and permanently affordable housing while staff said public review will continue before the Jan. 7 meeting.

The Kalispell City Council approved Ordinance 19-48, a zoning-text amendment clarifying the process to revoke conditional use permits, despite public testimony from the Flathead Warming Center urging delay and additional guardrails; the vote was 6–2.

At a Dec. 8 meeting, Bonner Milltown Community Council discussed the Blackfoot Crossing development application and asked the developer and county for clearer affordability metrics, a deed restriction to cap density, and stronger protections on water/wastewater; many residents voiced opposition to a proposed travel plaza.

Multiple Frenchtown residents told commissioners they oppose a proposed Town Pump development near the Frenchtown I‑90 interchange, citing traffic-safety incidents, lack of a publicly available MDT draft traffic study, groundwater and irrigation worries, and strained fire/EMS capacity.

On first reading the commission approved Ordinance 3066, a comprehensive rewrite of subdivision regulations (Chapter 28) to align with state law and the growth policy; commissioners directed edits on covenant language, variance criteria and asked staff to research extension limits and mitigation language for noise/wind.

The Livingston City Commission adopted Ordinance 3065 to replace Chapter 29 of the municipal code, updating floodplain regulations to align with state DNRC and the National Flood Insurance Program; the ordinance sets a 65‑foot horizontal setback for the Yellowstone River and 10 feet for creeks and passed unanimously.

City staff presented speed and noise monitoring data and a proposed noise ordinance that would give officers discretion to cite excessively loud vehicles; council asked staff to collect more data, provide cost estimates, and return with a redline ordinance and options for enforcement and fines.

After extensive public comment and a lengthy review, the commission adopted a new zoning code on second reading but directed staff to remove the proposed agricultural district pending further study and public outreach. The rewrite is the first comprehensive zoning update since 1981.

City staff presented Planet 2045, Kalispell's draft land-use plan prepared to meet the Montana Land Use Planning Act (SB 382); staff emphasized growth projections that require 9,50010,000 new housing units by 2045 and outlined implementation steps. Several residents spoke at length, expressing concerns about public outreach, parking standards, infrastructure capacity, and the speed of change.

The council voted unanimously to conditionally approve the Northwest View preliminary plat: roughly 42.6 acres with 149 residential lots (111 single‑family, 38 townhomes), required water main extension and parkland dedication obligations; planning commission recommended approval with conditions.

Council conditionally approved the North Meadows preliminary plat with three variances, including a reduction of the standard 200‑foot impaired‑stream setback in places to about 100 feet, after extended public comment and a split council vote; one councilor recused.

After hours of debate over projected utility rate-driven projects and trail funding, the Billings City Council approved the FY2027–FY2031 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) — a five-year plan of 128 projects totaling $502 million — after moving several trail projects into out years and reducing an evidence-lot estimate.

Council debated and amended Ordinance 19‑48 to clarify how conditional use permits (CUPs) can be revoked, add procedural protections including notice and appeal rights, and set the compliance window at 30 business days; council also added a non‑retroactivity clause applying changes only to CUPs granted after Jan. 15, 2026.

The council approved a conditional-use request allowing a tavern and a small casino at 2315 Clark Fork Lane (vote 10–2) after staff said the project meets Title 20 criteria; the application includes a one-story 6,880 sq ft building with a restaurant expected to occupy about 75% of the space.

Council authorized a $148,700 contract for engineering and construction-phase services on a living roof at the Missoula Public Library and discussed grant and tax-increment financing; the motion passed 10–1–1 after committee recommendation.

County staff will ask the federal delegation to reassign a rescinded Neighborhood Access Grant for Highway 200/East Missoula to another federal program and will evaluate newly released funding opportunities to pursue phased project funding.

County counsel informed commissioners that Missoula County was served with a wrongful-death complaint naming the county and three staff members; the autopsy cited a ruptured bag of methamphetamine and the county intends to defend and will file an answer within 21 days.

The commissioners approved FY2026 operations, hazardous‑materials abatement and ADA entrance work for the John Engen Local Government Building and agreed to a brownfields abatement agreement to use city and state funds to cover abatement costs.

Missoula County held the first hearing on an ordinance to replace disparate resolutions governing community councils with a standardized ordinance; commissioners voted to move the ordinance to a second hearing on Jan. 8, 2026.

Residents from Frenchtown told the Missoula County commissioners they gathered thousands of petition signatures opposing a proposed Town Pump development at the Frenchtown exit and asked the county for zoning help and an independent traffic study citing safety and water concerns.

Council conditionally approved the North Meadows preliminary plat and three variances, including a reduction of the Ashley Creek setback from 200 ft to approximately 100 ft in places; the vote followed extended public comment citing wildlife corridors, slope stability and safety concerns and included a councilor recusal.

Council debated and amended Ordinance 19-48, which clarifies how the city can revoke conditional use permits (CUPs). After motions over intent, timing and due process, the council added a provision making changes effective only for CUPs granted after Jan. 15, 2026.