Mayor Andrea Davis expressed her appreciation while she introduced the subject item. Ben Brewer, Planning Supervisor with the Community Planning, Development and Innovation department (CPDI) took over the presentation and introduced the staff present that had a lot of involvement with the project. The staff present were Emily Gluckin - Senior Planner, Madson Mathias - Associate Planner, Eran Pehan - Director, Laval Means - Long Range Planning Manager, Ashley Brittner-Wells - Community Engagement Specialist, Marc Hendrickson - Associate Planner, all staff are with CPDI. Mr. Brewer went over the presentation agenda and the staff took turns presenting on different focal points of the Our Missoula 2045 Land Use Plan. The projects impacts require consideration from Council to adopt. All the information presented is available on eScribe.
Committee Chair Mike Nugent called for public comment.
John Wolverton, Jenna Richter, Gracie Sandford and Tim Sayer, provided public comment and their comments were overall in support of the new Land Use Plan.
The committee asked questions about riparian corridor protections and if there would be plans to align those protections with Missoula County. They also inquired about future neighborhood plans and the difference between Place Types and Zoning, and diversifying housing. There was discussion about parking requirements and if the zoning code would offer opportunity for case by case scenarios. Agency comments were received by the Missoula Airport and it was decided to discuss their comments in more detail at the upcoming public hearing. Committee Chair, Mike Nugent explained the next steps in the project. They also expressed gratitude for having visuals with the language to help provide a better understanding and shared the desire to have the project continue engaging with the public and getting as much feedback as possible. There was also an inquiry about if any current projects that were approved that don't match the plan for new Place Types. Staff would need to look into that more closely as that data was not available.
The subject item has been scheduled for a public hearing at the next City Council meeting on Monday, December 9, 2024. It is scheduled to be discussed at the next Land Use and Planning Committee meeting on Wednesday, December 11, 2024 as well. Final consideration to adopt a resolution has been scheduled for the City Council meeting on Monday, December 16, 2024.