Public Forum: Missoula City-County Animal Control Center
UPDATE: This Public Forum was heard on July 8, 2024. This case is now closed for comment.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
City of Missoula Community Planning, Development, and Innovation has received a notice from OZ Architects on behalf of the Missoula City-County Animal Control Center of their intent to expand their facility on Butler Creek Rd, just south of I-90. The proposal includes remodeling and expanding the existing facility and adding fire suppression. The subject property is located at 6700 Butler Creek Rd, Missoula, MT 59808 and is owned by the Missoula County Airport Industrial District. The proposed project includes adding approximately 4,300 square feet of office and kennel spaces.
The proposed scope of work for the project is not permitted in Title 20 zoning code. Animal Services, Shelter/Boarding is not a permitted use in the M1-2 Limited Industrial / Missoula Development Park (MDP) Overlay zoning district, where this building is located (Title 20, Section 20.25.075.F.1.b). Expansion of an existing, legal-non conforming use into a new building addition is prohibited.
There are multiple landscaping requirements the applicant will not be meeting, including: boulevard landscaping, natural grasses standards in the MDP Overlay, fence type, height, and locations, and landscape buffers. Title 20, Section 20.25.075.I requires boulevard landscaping. The applicant will not be planting additional boulevard trees, if approved by the urban forester. Two fences are proposed for dog runs and will be 7 feet tall if approved by Engineering. Fences may not exceed five feet in height (20.25.075.L.2). The Missoula Development Park Overlay requires the front yard to contain a maximum of 20% natural grasses (20.25.075.H.1.a). The front yard will contain 69% natural grasses. Last, a landscape buffer is required along the southern property line which abuts a residential use (20.65.060). The Animal Shleter will not be installing a buffer; however, there is an existing berm along this property line.
City Council is authorized by state law to hold a public hearing, known as a public forum, when a public agency proposes to use public land contrary to the local zoning regulations. The public agency in this case is the Missoula County Airport Industrial District which is a County agency. City Council does not have the power to deny or condition the approval of the project. The proposed use is permitted regardless of the outcome of the hearing. However, public comment is greatly appreciated.
PROJECT APPLICATION LINKS:
The application packet can be viewed here: https://www.ci.missoula.mt.us/3230/Private-Development-Projects
PROJECT TIMELINE:
The hearing date is scheduled for July 8, 2024 at 6:00 PM. Information on how to attend the meeting virtually or in-person is posted here: https://www.ci.missoula.mt.us/1149/AgendasWebcastsMinutes
PROJECT COMMENT DEADLINE:
Public comment will be taken by City Council until the public hearing is closed. Comments can be submitted through Engage Missoula, via email to the planner noted below, by mailing in a letter to the City of Missoula offices, Attn: Kristin Spadafore, at 435 Ryman Street, Missoula, MT 59802, or during the public meeting.
Your comments may be considered by the Missoula City-County Animal Control Center when moving forward with their proposal.
PROJECT PLANNER:
The project planner is Kristin Spadafore and can be reached at (406) 552-6512, or spadaforek@ci.missoula.mt.us.
