Public Forum: Missoula County Pallet Shelter

CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

UPDATE: The public forum took place on September 12, 2022. The case is now closed for comment.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
Community Planning, Development, and Innovation (CPDI) has received notice from WGM Group on behalf of Missoula County of their intent to provide amenities for temporary and emergency shelter on site through the Temporary Use, Emergency Homeless Shelter, and Group Living uses. The subject property is located at 2340 Mullan Road. The site will provide temporary safe outdoor space with prefabricated modular shelters, bathroom units and office space. This proposal is intended to address the housing crisis in a new way – aiding both individuals and the community.

The proposal includes 30 short-term living units alongside one office building (Building A) and two restroom buildings (Buildings B & C) in the north-eastern corner of the subject parcel. A storage container will also be located on site. The proposal includes general-site landscaping nearly three-times in excess of what is required by Title 20. The existing trees and fence will remain on the north-eastern side of the site. A chain-link fence is proposed along all sides of the proposed development space, with a vehicular access point off West Broadway in the north-eastern corner of the site and a pedestrian connection and gate in the south-east corner of the site. The pedestrian connections on site consist of concrete and gravel.

The City Council is authorized to hold a public hearing when an agency proposes to develop or use public land contrary to these zoning regulations (Title 20, Chapter 20.85.095.A). City Council shall hold the public hearing as a public forum and shall have no power to deny or condition the proposed use but they shall act only to allow a public forum for comment on the proposed use (Title 20, Chapter 20.85.095.E). Missoula County is an agency and authorized to vary from the aforementioned zoning requirements by going through the public forum process.

PROJECT APPLICATION LINKS:
The application packet can be viewed here: https://www.ci.missoula.mt.us/DocumentCenter/View/61931/Public-Forum-Application.

PROJECT TIMELINE:
The City Council hearing date is scheduled for Monday, September 12^th, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. The item will also go to Land Use and Planning Committee for a preview on Wednesday, September 7^th, 2022 (time TBD). Information on how to attend the public forum virtually and whether a hybrid or in-person option is available can be found online at 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 office at 435 Ryman Street, Missoula, MT 59802, or during the public meeting. Provide your comment by August 30^th, 2022, to be included in the staff report provided to City Council. Your comments may be considered by Missoula County when moving forward with their proposal.

PROJECT PLANNER:
The project planner is Madson Matthias and can be reached at 406-552-6625, or matthiasm@ci.missoula.mt.us.