zoning

The City of Missoula's work to reform its zoning codes is nearing the final stretch with a draft proposal expected later this year. The result will help shape the look and feel of Missoula for decades to come.

A number of bills passed by the Montana Legislature has the City of Missoula racing to amend portions of its zoning code to comply with new laws, including a reduction in parking, removal of certain design requirements, and adhering to shortened review periods.

Carly McDonnell and Matt Cavanaugh write, "We look forward to the outcomes of code reform, Fast, Simple and Flexible regulations that increase housing production, help alleviate affordability issues and provide more options for Missoulians."

Strategies range from reducing minimum lot sizes to allowing taller buildings and reducing buildings’ required setbacks from property lines to encouraging development of accessory dwelling units.

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.

Arizona is short more than 200,000 homes to match demand and lawmakers think they can fix that by gutting local zoning regulations, a strategy that has drawn heated opposition from cities across the state.

While the city's efforts to rewrite its building and zoning codes is only five months old, members of the City Council are already expressing disagreement on what should take precedence and how quickly the process should play out.

Some council members have blasted single-family zoning as the source of Missoula's housing woes. Details offered by the city's consultant have fed that growing sentiment.

While the 2023 Legislature has created a number of bills the City of Missoula views as unfavorable, including the removal of greenhouse gasses from environmental review, a handful of other bills have enjoyed the city's backing.

The measure was turned from a dramatic reshaping of zoning laws in the state into an effort to assess statewide housing needs without preemptions on local governments.