I’m scared Missoula will change into something I don’t recognize.

That feeling is understandable. Missoula is a special place, and it’s natural to worry about change. But growth is already happening—our choice is how we guide it. Here’s how we’re doing that:

• Change will happen slowly, not overnight.
• New development will be designed to fit with existing neighborhoods through context-sensitive design.
• Planning ahead helps protect what we love while making room for the people who make Missoula strong.
• Saying “no” to all growth would mean telling some people—teachers, nurses, and our own kids—that there’s no place for them here. That’s not the Missoula we believe in.

In short, growth is coming no matter what. The new zoning helps us manage it thoughtfully—so Missoula can grow and change without losing the things that make it home.