Two of the biggest legislative priorities to start the 2023 session in Montana – addressing housing and prison space and upgrades – came down to a flurry of work done in the final days.
As the Legislature wrapped up its work last week, the year’s single largest housing bill, authorizing $225 million in housing spending, passed to the governor’s desk with one of the last votes taken by the Montana House.
The measure allows local governments to offer developer incentives, such as increased density or multi-story development, in the interest of augmenting affordable housing stock and taking advantage of infill opportunities.
Citing a large volume of development applications and a backlog in review, the planning department is asking the City Council to approve the extension of an interim ordinance for another year.
Voters will now be asked whether to approve a plan that would reduce property taxes over 10 years in an effort to combat rising property values and the related tax hike, and allow the state to retain more tax revenue to pay for the plan.
Two years after denying a Target Range subdivision, Missoula County and the developer have reached a settlement agreement that could release all claims if it holds together. It could also force the county to reconsider the project.
A number of affordable housing projects and programs in Missoula have been recommended for funding from federal and local sources, including $330,000 to help the owners of a River Road community begin a community land trust.
Work to improve stormwater runoff in the South Hills and the retention off excessive water is set to begin this year, including work at “Cattail Corner” where wetland habitat will be improved.