Public Forum: TSOS and Detention Center Parking Lot
Update: The public forum was held by City Council on Monday, September 18th at 6:00 pm. This case is now closed for comment.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
City of Missoula Community Planning, Development, and Innovation received an application from WGM Group on behalf of Missoula County for the parcel at 2340 Mullan Road, the County Detention Center and Temporary Safe Outdoor Space.
The proposal is for the development of an area east of the existing Detention Center as an additional parking lot. The installation of the new eastern parking lot requires compliance with several landscaping standards in Title 20, Section 20.65, which will not be met.
The parking lot will not bring the parcel out of compliance with the 15% General Landscaping area requirement per 20.65.020. However, the required number of trees and shrubs for the parcel will not be met.
The required number of shrubs per 20.65.030 - Street Frontage Landscaping along Mullan Road will not be met and the required landscaped area, and number of trees and shrubs along Broadway will not be met. The proposed parking lot will not have Interior Parking Lot landscaping or islands per 20.65.040. The existing parking and new parking lots will also not meet the requirements of 20.65.050 - Perimeter Parking Lot Landscaping.
The Buffer required per 20.65.060 for commercial uses adjacent to residential uses will not be provided on the eastern property line. The existing chain link fence will remain with no plantings.
In summary, standards for general landscaping, street frontage landscaping, interior parking lot landscaping, perimeter parking lot landscaping and buffer requirements will not be met. The number of trees and shrubs required will not be provided.
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 Missoula County. 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/1638/Private-Development-Projects
PROJECT TIMELINE:
The hearing date is scheduled for September 18th, 2023 at 6:00 PM. Information on how to attend the meetings 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 office at 435 Ryman Street, Missoula, MT 59802, or during the public meeting.
Provide your comment by September 11th, 2023 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 Charlie Ream who can be reached at (406) 552-6351, or reamc@ci.missoula.mt.us.
