Heidi West, John Contos, Mirtha Becerra and Staci Anderson joined the meeting shortly after the roll was called.
Eran Pehan, Director of the Community Planning, Development and Innovation department (CPDI), introduced the item and gave a general update. She then turned the presentation over to Ben Brewer, Planning Supervisor with CPDI and he provide more elaborate details on the project background and timelines related to the updates of the project in addition to where the project focus has been. The primary focus relates to being in compliance with new state mandates. Mr. Brewer provided details on the two bills that are set to go into effect on January 1, 2024. He also shared the phased timeline and stated the project is nearing the end of phase 2.
Ashley Brittner Wells, Community Engagement Specialist with CPDI, continued the presentation by explaining the community engagement process. She explained her role in engaging the public to participate and have their voices heard during the project. During the 2nd phase, the project team reached over 900 residents by providing presentations, tabling events and table talks with Common Good Missoula. Ms. Brittner Wells went over the top five themes that were heard during these engagement events.
Sam Suter, Owner with Meta Urban Design and consultant on the project, shared a slide with the 66 principles of Code Reform. She shared the work behind the diagnostic process and an overview of the code diagnostics. The initial findings focused on 3 categories; Substance, Organization/User Friendliness and Process. Ms. Suter went over each category and gave examples why these areas need to be updated to be more in alignment with the cities growth goals.
Jamin Kimell with Cascadia Partners, another consultant on the project, presented on the primary residential zone districts for both Multi-Family Dwelling Units (RM1-45 Zone) and Signal Family Dwelling Units (R 5.4 Zone). First, he shared an example of the standard minimum requirements for a Multi-Family Dwelling Unit that included the average rental cost per unit. Then he shared examples of how the rental costs would decrease if some of the barriers were removed or lessened. Mr. Kimell also went over a grading scale based on the adjustment of the levers based on the policy goals.
The committee sought more details around how the zoning changes would effect existing neighborhoods in a Multi-Family Dwelling Units zoned district. Mr. Kimell explained the example was a prototype and that there would need to be a broader discussion around what infill development should look like. They also discussed that impact of land prices based on zoning and development potential. Other topics discussed circled around housing affordability, improving equity, and if amendments can be made to the zoning maps. Additionally, the committee was curious to learn about prototype model and how changing the levers would translate into the code. An example used was that an activity area may get more use if the quality was better versus the open space being a larger open field. They were also interested in a more elaborate discussion on Form types. The committee was also interested in finding ways to get incentives around energy conservation on large scale projects.
Jamin Kimell transitioned the presentation to the Single Family Dwelling Units prototype model which new state law does allow for the unit to be a duplex. Mr. Kimell explained based on the way the code reads currently, the typical Single Family Dwelling Units isn't built to the maximum allowable square footage. Since the new mandate would allow a Single Family Dwelling Unit to be built as a duplex, the cost to buy the home would be reduced. An area of concern would be the character of the neighborhood and whether the home would be compatible with existing structures.
Due to time limitations, Ben Brewer quickly provided details on upcoming Community Growth Policy Workshops. They will be held in varies areas during the month of December 2023. Please see the attached presentation to obtain the workshop details for each event.
The committee did inquire about the new law allowing for the Single Family Dwelling Units to allow 4 units total and how that would impact costs. More updates around this project are scheduled for winter 2023 - 2024.