The Missoula City Council is hearing details of the new land use plan

MISSOULA, Mont. — Future land use plans have been being developed in Missoula since 2022, and on Wednesday these plans will finally reach the city council.

Titled “Our Land Use Plan for Missoula 2045,” city and county leaders are adopting it. It will pave the way for the region.

According to city planners, that means preparing for a lot of growth. The Missoula region is expected to grow 1.39% annually. That’s around 37,000 people by 2045. According to the document, 27,500 homes are expected to be needed to accommodate this growth.

The solution is to focus on interior development and housing diversification.

“This is a desirable location and we know people want to come here. “So how can we try to protect what makes Missoula special and look at growth in a way that is fair and accessible to as many people as possible?” said Mike Nugent, a member of the Missoula City Council.

The study area used in the plan is 40,254 acres; 56% of this area is within the city limits, the remaining 44% is in the district. The proposed growth area includes East Missoula, part of the Bonner-Wye intersection of Highway 93, the South Hills and portions of the Miller Creek area.

There are efforts to diversify housing in Missoula to better serve those who have been historically marginalized, including introducing a mix of home sizes and styles.

An essential component is updating the zoning in the garden city. Want a more walkable Missoula with more low-impact businesses scattered throughout the city.

The plan is consistent with the Montana Land Use Planning Act and emphasizes the need for continued adaptation to accommodate future growth and change.

In order to implement the objectives of the land use plan, legal reform is required – this includes simplifying regulations, updating zoning regulations and revising maps.

According to the online document, there are six themes: inward focus, housing choice and access, community and quality of life, environmental quality and climate resilience, health and safety, and economic health.

The plans also include offering a variety of streets and roads. The aim is also to make it easier for citizens to access public transport.

One goal is to split the development across multiple neighborhoods.

“In response to this plan, some will feel that the proposed changes are too much for the neighborhood, others will feel that we have not gone far enough,” said Mayor Andrea Davis. “That probably means we’ve found a balance.”

During Wednesday’s news conference, officials noted a past mistake in trying to keep the city as it is.

But this plan creates flexibility and adaptability as trends change.

“With this zoning ordinance, we have acknowledged our mistake and recognize that neighborhoods and cities need to evolve,” said Chris Chitty, president of Hone Architects and Builders. “People are constantly evolving. People’s needs and preferences are constantly evolving.”

The study area used in the plan is 40,254 acres; 56% of this area is within the city limits, the remaining 44% is in the district. The proposed growth area includes East Missoula, part of the Bonner-Wye intersection of Highway 93, the South Hills and portions of the Miller Creek area.

There are efforts to diversify housing in Missoula to better serve those who have been historically marginalized, including introducing a mix of home sizes and styles.

The Montana Land Use Planning Act requires cities with more than 5,000 residents to update their land use plans by 2026, focusing on population growth, housing and services. Officials say Missoula was already working on it before the Senate bill passed in 2023.

“If we execute this plan correctly, we will provide our developers with both private, public and nonprofit tools to meet this moment,” Nugent said.

There will then be a public comment session on December 9th and a follow-up meeting on December 11th. The City Council will consider adoption on Dec. 16.

For more information, visit engagemissoula.com.