Participate Through July 31st! Future Growth Scenarios Virtual Open House!

Future Growth Scenarios Virtual Open House!

Thank you to everyone who attended the Future Growth Scenarios Open Houses this month at the Missoula Public Library! If you couldn't make it in person, you can participate in the virtual open house through Wednesday, July 31 here!

We've been listening to community members and groups throughout the project and we are ready to share tangible, community-informed models for growth in our city. Residents can expect to learn about and provide comments on these models in the virtual open house.

The virtual open house presents different approaches to addressing some of the critical housing affordability, equity, and climate issues faced by the community. The scenarios are illustrated and described to paint a picture of how they could affect Missoula’s future. While this event is hosted and managed by the City of Missoula, the scenarios represent the areas of the Growth Policy boundary, which currently includes part of Missoula County. Staff invite city and county residents to participate.

The Our Missoula team will collect public comments and opinions on the scenario models, paying attention to the outcomes that people say are most important to them and their ideas on how to balance the tradeoffs that the scenarios present.

We will take what we learn from the community to develop a preferred approach to growth. That preferred approach will be integrated into the initial drafts of the updated Growth Policy and the updated development regulations, which will inform what can be developed and where. The team will collect the next round of public opinion on the preferred approach this fall. Residents can sign up for updates on the Our Missoula website.

If anyone participating in the virtual open house needs special assistance, please provide 48 hours advance notice by calling Community Engagement Specialist Ashley Brittner Wells at 406-552-6221 or emailing brittnerwellsa@ci.missoula.mt.us. We strive to create a supportive and accessible environment, and it is crucial to understand and address any potential barriers that might affect participation. Please share anything that may impact your continued involvement.

Click here to participate in the Future Growth Scenarios Virtual Open House!

Legislative Updates Impacting Engagement

During the most recent legislative session, the State of Montana passed the new Montana Land Use Planning Act (MLUPA). The MLUPA shifts the opportunities for public engagement surrounding land use and development to be during the planning and adoption of city land use plans and codes, rather than during site-specific developments. After the City's land use plan and land use regulations are adopted in compliance with MLUPA, many site-specific development projects will be reviewed administratively by the City. The scope of and opportunity for public participation and comment on site-specific development will be limited to the impacts of projects that were not previously identified and considered in the adoption, amendment, or update of the land use plan, zoning regulations, or subdivision regulations. This shift means that public participation during City planning processes, like the Our Missoula project, is critical to ensuring that community voices are heard during the development of the City’s land use policies and regulations.

If you have questions, feedback, or want to get involved,
email Community Engagement Specialist Ashley Brittner Wells at brittnerwellsa@ci.missoula.mt.us or call 406-552-6221.