Will Missoula’s new zoning code free up older housing?

Zack Volheim

(KPAX) The City of Missoula's new zoning code has had quite the buzz, with hopes that it will be part of the puzzle in solving Missoula's affordability crisis, mainly housing.

But what do the people who actually build homes think about the code?

“80% of the public could care less, like they have no idea or don't care. And it's not what matters, but it does impact, like the availability of housing for them or for their kids or for whoever,” Matt Mellot, managing principal at Sterling Commercial Real Estate, said.

The passage of the Unified Development Code earlier this week has developers locked and loaded with projects already in line with the new code, although there may be some differences in interpretation of the code between the city and developers.

“I'm sure there will be some friction points,” Mellot said.

Mellot says that his company has seven projects already in the pipeline for review by the city. Projects that could look similar to this project, the Scott Street Ravara project, which is an example of what the city hopes to see be built.

But, they’re projects that don’t include eight-story buildings right now, despite the desire for those developments.

“There's appetite there, but there's still the constraints of the construction realities and building code reality is actually, it dictates a lot of it too,” Mellot said.

Mellot says that overall, more housing doesn’t mean it will be affordable as the city hopes.