Category growth policy   Show all

  • Why is this happening now?

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    The City of Missoula is a desirable place to live and will continue to attract new people and investments. Since the creation of the initial Growth Policy, social, political and economic conditions have changed significantly. Particularly since the start of the pandemic. We must revisit the Growth Policy to ensure that:

    • the big picture goals for future growth reflect the City’s emerging issues
    • the big picture for future growth reflects our community’s most important priorities--such as equity, housing, and sustainability
    • the zoning and development code helps us achieve, and are not a barrier to, our shared community goals.

  • What is a Growth Policy (GP) and why is it important?

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    The Growth Policy is the foundational document that cities in Montana use to:

    1. Highlight community priorities for future growth.

    2. Put in place long-term land use strategies that aim to address the City's emerging issues and challenges.

    3. Align development rules and regulations with community priorities and City plans.

    The policy is generally responsible for guiding plans for future urban growth and development over the next 20 years. Missoula’s current Growth Policy was adopted in 2015.

  • Why Does the City need a Growth Policy Update?

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    State law requires that every five years, cities review their growth policy. This is to consider whether it still accurately reflects their community's vision. Missoula is experiencing a variety of challenges and pressing issues such as:

    • Rising housing costs
    • Housing supply not keeping up with demand
    • Limited land to expand into
    • Worsening effects of climate change

    The Growth Policy Update is an opportunity to refocus the Growth Policy in a way that best tackles the City’s current challenges. The goal is to also put in place a deeper and more inclusive community engagement approach throughout the process.

  • What community priorities will the Growth Policy Update address?

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    Much of the Growth Policy that was adopted in 2015 remains relevant and is an important expression of the community’s values and priorities. Yet, the intention is for the Growth Policy Update to address issues that have evolved or have become more pressing in recent years. These issues include but are not limited to:

    • Social, cultural, and racial inequities

    • Housing shortages and the rise in housing costs

    • The accelerating effects of climate change

    The Our Missoula process will seek the community’s input to further define and focus on these issues.

  • How will the Growth Policy Update and Code be implemented? How will it show up in my community?

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    Both the Growth Policy and the code are implemented when a development project is proposed. In most cases, a development project must show that it complies with the rules and regulations in the code. In some cases, the development project must also show that it contributes toward the broader goals of the Growth Policy. These codes set the criteria by which the City must approve or reject a development proposal.

    However, the Growth Policy also affects other actions the City takes, such as where new streets, trails, and parks are built. It may also influence where and how the City targets certain programs like funding for affordable housing or economic development.

  • How will my feedback shape the Growth Policy Update and Code Reform?

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    There are many points within this project when your feedback will help influence the Unified Development Code and Growth Policy Update. It is critical to understand the top priorities for Missoula residents such as:

    • Creating more affordable housing options
    • Preserving natural and working lands, etc., particularly because there will inevitably be trade-offs between different priorities.
    • Your feedback and evaluation of different strategies for future growth will be what drives the ultimate set of recommendations and strategies that will be adopted by City Council.

  • Who is making the ultimate decisions on the Growth Policy Update and Code Reform?

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    Adoption of the Unified Development Code and Growth Policy is decided on by the Missoula City Council and Missoula Planning Board.

  • Why is the City using outside consultants for this project?

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    Our Missoula is a complex project that requires expertise in planning, facilitation, and code development. The breadth of expertise that the project requires includes:

    • Community engagement that focuses on equity, diversity, and inclusion;
    • Knowledge of zoning and other land use regulations;
    • Process and equity auditing;
    • National and Montana land use law;
    • Transportation, architecture and design, and historic preservation best practices;
    • Utility infrastructure and environmental resource protection;
    • Development financing;
    • Implementation of sustainability initiatives;
    • and best practices in community planning and policy development.

    A larger team consisting of City staff and consultants expands capacity and is more efficient. This project requires responsiveness.

    Shifting the code from what it is to what it could be takes global expertise that the consultant team brings. The Our Missoula project will involve some challenging conversations about the kind of change we want to see in our shared community. There is a benefit to having an outside party guide those conversations from a neutral vantage point. Consultants bring ideas rooted in best practices and based on experience with other communities doing similar work and facing similar challenges. The consultant team is there as a resource, not to lead. It is ultimately up to us all to decide what we want to do in our own community.