[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6182186,"mediaKeyId","5107589-542bf9fe2fcba5ce61eb5484b21ea084","parentId",5107589,"title","Commissioners indefinitely postpone Fire Bucket Meadows subdivision to await groundwater testing","audioSeconds",2148,"startMs",5050000,"endMs",7198000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5107589-542bf9fe2fcba5ce61eb5484b21ea084&start=5050&end=7198","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5107589-542bf9fe2fcba5ce61eb5484b21ea084/thumbnail_5050000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6182186/Missoula-County/Montana/Commissioners-indefinitely-postpone-Fire-Bucket-Meadows-subdivision-to-await-groundwater-testing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6182186-459e8b02c7547f4494095ff72c96ce02/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149538&Signature=PT19l-jBuB23niQrwGQNw71H7fXvCMbz003aBHvB1Xkbx5Sq-KNjjaTmZ6v1bKtJIIK9dKcaq6JgPEa~NuHbLNjLb5drwFYKJ20hWn4rRHOqhymmIAHtMvMdwpj6PWfEmIn6NoEwRfzpExq6MQjL~84J1c8toh2pnasrxy8qE9kMdui9QRjtq4lPZsO8vqzOsmHxOjtd3kpGdSac0~1Yi1YvJTyck~-ZHBw7SURi-cXJbNgeKgxe~TxqVbAwTdlspfPHPMtaBhUvuIO4nRFp-irW0b6xYnD3I3WYtAlo7R9r7yiDltfKHzbRNowZqlRUtmy4cjR58GeodObX2iaU-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Missoula County, WI ","date","2025-06-30T14:32:19Z","article","Missoula County commissioners on Thursday indefinitely postponed action on the preliminary plat for the Fire Bucket Meadows subdivision to allow the applicant to gather additional groundwater data, including drilled-well pump tests.

Patrick Swart, planner with the county's Planning, Development and Sustainability office, summarized a prolonged review process that included repeated public hearings, a contracted hydrogeology report, and requests from staff and neighbors for more testing after concerns about groundwater availability and impacts to adjoining wells. The applicants proposed drilling wells incrementally and returning with data rather than drilling all four test wells before a preliminary-plat decision.

Elena Evans of the Missoula Valley Water Quality District explained the technical reason for extra testing: \"There are ways in which you can drill a well and start to gain information about the conductivity and the transmissivity of a system that could potentially provide information around whether or not that aquifer unit is prolific or pumping at high rates that could potentially sustain another, you know, four houses.\" She said pump tests and monitoring of neighboring wells are essential to determine whether the aquifer can sustain new homes and to characterize potential impacts.

Applicant representatives said they contracted a geophysical firm (Willow Stick Guardian) to model subsurface features to help locate test wells and offered that service to some adjacent property owners; staff and neighbors said the geophysical survey is a guide and not a substitute for drilled wells and pump testing.

Neighbors urged exhaustive testing and monitoring across seasons. Gordon Schmill, whose property abuts the site, asked that any pump testing include neighbors' wells and be timed to capture lowest seasonal groundwater levels. Commenters also raised runoff, road safety and traffic concerns.

After discussion the board adopted a motion at the applicant's request to indefinitely postpone a decision on the preliminary plat to permit additional water-quality and quantity testing. Commissioners said data gathered will be submitted to Missoula County agencies, including Missoula Valley Water Quality District and Missoula Public Health, for evaluation. The public hearing will remain open; staff will schedule a future hearing when sufficient data are available to proceed.

County staff emphasized that the procedural delay shifts the timetable for any final plat decision and that drilling and pump tests must be designed in coordination with county water-quality staff to define what constitutes sufficient water quantity and what impacts would require mitigation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Commissioners' Public Meeting June 26, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At the applicant's request, the board indefinitely postponed a decision on the Fire Bucket Meadows preliminary plat so developers can collect additional groundwater quantity and quality data, including pump tests, for review by the Missoula Valley Water Quality District and Missoula Public Health.","taxTitle","Missoula County, Montana","taxId",4049,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6182191,"County approves MML on 93 subdivision; requires screening along western edge",3359,1741000,5100000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5107589-542bf9fe2fcba5ce61eb5484b21ea084&start=1741&end=5100","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5107589-542bf9fe2fcba5ce61eb5484b21ea084/thumbnail_1741000.jpg","/articles/6182191/Missoula-County/Montana/County-approves-MML-on-93-subdivision-requires-screening-along-western-edge","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6182191-ed1d39d4227aeffbd31c088bf86a1f9d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149538&Signature=I2RUh7xw-hjAGzqjSwwVFA2O7SOz6t7ewWSDNl~JzV-kBhVofX-LxtTnqUJPgZbcx8fBPXdi1~il~SJaH~cbtgKu-FvsgBcP~vE5jAegsACjYASAM83di1LcdxBXK0U-LOeUvUFD7j1bWVY0YZszGFM9YW7D2ZONWdIFJVdEQtIQEzp2MxWMZGkTA0p4hFdSxuo33C6HEiKQW--yGhxH-9Mq3bh8ufkiRBbtkAiqoY~YfUUQiY3PybCLZG90MHrmeByv1cv6-1S27Vnq3z5P9VDOS6~kj5YlGmycAIprgYVAPGEw2yFSqni4OtokAtWfLgn7YgBwJNF4QXcW4Tv9FQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Missoula County Board of Commissioners on Thursday approved the MML on 93 subdivision, a one-lot subdivision that staff said enables a multifamily development and future condominium exemption, and amended approval to require a privacy fencing/screening treatment along the western edge of the subdivision.

Tim Worley, planning manager for Planning, Development and Sustainability, explained the request was for a one-lot subdivision south of Waldo and Highway 93 North. He said the one-lot action is distinct from the multifamily zoning compliance review for the 4-, 6- and 8-plex buildings planned within the parcel: \"If zoning compliance requirements mitigate impacts, there isn't a need for a subdivision condition,\" Worley said, explaining how zoning compliance and subdivision review interact.

Worley and staff said the larger multifamily development under review contains roughly 96 dwelling units in the project area under consideration and that the zoning for the site (Commercial Center) permits multifamily construction. Staff noted that grading, drainage and nonmotorized facilities are addressed through the zoning compliance review while the subdivision review focused on mitigating impacts such as fire protection and easements.

Developer representative Danny (IMEIG) and others emphasized they sought the subdivision to allow future condominium conversion and said the multifamily permit review remains under separate zoning compliance review. Danny told the commissioners the development team would be willing to work with neighbors to address concerns and said the project planned landscaping and amenity areas for residents.

Local residents and the Malam Meadows Homeowners Association raised concerns about traffic at the Waldo/Highway 93 intersection, potential impacts to private wells and a lack of green space adjacent to existing backyards. Phil Carlos, president of the Malam Meadows HOA, said the proposed entrance to 93 and the proximity of buildings \"appears to be a prime opportunity for people buying second houses\" and expressed safety and privacy concerns.

Worley noted Montana Department of Transportation review found the project by itself would not yet warrant a traffic signal at Waldo and Highway 93, but that planned development in aggregate could require a signal in the future; MDT requires proportional contributions and the applicant said it would escrow an estimated fair-share payment (staff discussed a rough figure of about $170,000) to be used when improvements are built.

As a condition, commissioners directed staff to add language requiring \"plans for privacy fencing/screening, consistent with county zoning regulations, along the western edge of the subdivision subject to review and approval by Planning, Development and Sustainability prior to final plat approval.\" A motion to approve the subdivision based on staff findings and conditions, as amended on the record, passed by voice vote with commissioners saying \"Aye.\"

County staff listed key conditions: fire protection infrastructure must be in place prior to combustible construction; a hydrant plan must be installed to Frenchtown-Bridger Fire District requirements; covenants must address a weed management plan and \"living with wildlife\" information; and landscaping and nonmotorized facilities will be reviewed under zoning compliance.

The action approves the one-lot subdivision; zoning compliance, MDT, DEQ and other reviews must be completed before building permits and any condominium conversion proceed.","The Board of County Commissioners approved the Miermont/Manley one-lot subdivision on Highway 93 North that enables a larger multifamily development, and added a condition requiring privacy fencing/screening along the subdivision's western edge subject to Planning review.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6182196,"County approves Dvorak family-transfer exemption for Clements Road property",268,1480000,1748000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5107589-542bf9fe2fcba5ce61eb5484b21ea084&start=1480&end=1748","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5107589-542bf9fe2fcba5ce61eb5484b21ea084/thumbnail_1480000.jpg","/articles/6182196/Missoula-County/Montana/County-approves-Dvorak-family-transfer-exemption-for-Clements-Road-property","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6182196-40aafb1a8ec3302bad9bfa83d6ff65c3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149538&Signature=ZUNfVF0SKY6sdOAMdAA5La7GISSb7cKItkMTWx4rrjUNp~GK7lW4v-M9FWdQRRQSQMF~Btn9NqQQYNTv70BtA0dtIfpvNgoZ9kSOQ-H6RuTeAEYhr-mDTDJj8nWY89dAdEbsLoGqRsMQXY3cKeCwuHnIkeOq6c6zUpBP9FKegcp1mNH1OEeo0AJvTVSgOavOfMi0R--5FSBy5G2AdpZfFSmmYvp-ctHSjIhQPqmG-3iNwAJ0DuSQhmVUOzu38TwnxX~zZ0C~EV4KSpIMF5opb5mBJ4naUSnw0iLF3a8PCBSx3mhI0G8fQrrbrVTtqqZvgOhm2mng2oL7kqGxd8baWA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Missoula County commissioners on Thursday approved a family-transfer exemption requested by June Dvorak that will split a parcel at 1819 Clements Road and convey 0.68 acres to the intended transferee.

Katie Reeder, planner with Planning, Development and Sustainability, presented the request and said the parcel is zoned rural residential and small agriculture, is within the Target Range overlay district and carries a rural residential and small agriculture designation in the 2019 Missoula Area Land Use element. Reeder told the board the claimant does not currently reside on the parcel; the proposed recipient intends to develop a single-family residence on the transferred tract.

Reeder said county agency review flagged the need for sanitation review and any applicable exemptions because of parcel size; she recommended approval. June Dvorak confirmed the family has owned the property since 1989 and does not intend to transfer the property within one year.

A commissioner moved to approve the request \"to utilize the family transfer exemption as presented in the exemption application and affidavit,\" a second followed, and the motion carried by voice vote with commissioners responding \"Aye.\"

County staff noted that Environmental Health will require sanitation review and any required exemptions or permits before development on the new lot. The staff presentation included acreage figures for the parcel and the proposed split; those figures were presented in the staff report and will be recorded in the official plat documents.","Commissioners approved a family-transfer exemption for property at 1819 Clements Road, allowing a 0.68-acre conveyance to a family member; sanitation review will be required for the new parcel.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6182200,"Commissioners approve DeYoung family-transfer exemption for Ridgewood Ranchette property",326,1164000,1490000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5107589-542bf9fe2fcba5ce61eb5484b21ea084&start=1164&end=1490","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5107589-542bf9fe2fcba5ce61eb5484b21ea084/thumbnail_1164000.jpg","/articles/6182200/Missoula-County/Montana/Commissioners-approve-DeYoung-family-transfer-exemption-for-Ridgewood-Ranchette-property","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6182200-187768bd3dc294ba5842d2b55ec14817/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149538&Signature=Zktf0fuH7qSwNHXP32l-nNBdhCLj6zsl4TWudr53ZlTnwE7puZsr1htUgoW0SnGd-J8kP5EZo-kUMWixOsF~FKjauq3N51XBr9vpEtWSUDRl7wfphLLcebFPY-2nldTFJvdhQgqyGhj7LQ0CO5JF5J1OzJl3uEd4VeCOJwx-1i58sy35aA0eACZE9w3rceITDEk6Bh-5N1f8w6cwzzB2W8QQYGPwWVgZQxj9pYGaSeMd7YqYe7mDDW2LKcni4DY78rfaDanklTzEboJ8yi8MPKFURJtNSoQ0WH8To2lrV3YccOHSVdKb4AiUIcUmyjJAKYdnNRn4Kt4Zv-H4ipId9w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Missoula County commissioners on Thursday approved a family-transfer exemption allowing a land transfer at 20605 Ridgewood Drive in the Ridgewood Ranchette subdivision.

Katie Reeder, planner with the county Planning, Development and Sustainability (PDS) office, outlined the request on behalf of claimant Brandon DeYoung. Reeder said the parcel is in an unzoned area and the land-use designation is open space and resource land in the 2002 Regional Land Use Guide, which recommends a density of one dwelling unit per 40 acres. She recommended approval of the family transfer exemption, noting one rebuttable presumption was identified but that it did not indicate evasion.

Brandon DeYoung told commissioners he and his family \"fell in love with the house and the land\" and that the transfer would let his parents build a retirement home nearby. \"I think having the extra support for them and for us \u0000would be invaluable,\" he said.

County staff said Environmental Health will require sanitation review and that the Water Quality Division noted wells in the area have elevated arsenic concentrations; private-well arsenic sampling will be required as part of sanitation review.

A commissioner moved to approve the DeYoung family transfer exemption \"as presented in the exemption application and affidavit,\" a second agreed, and the motion carried by voice vote with commissioners saying \"Aye.\" The record shows no public comment opposing the request at the time of the vote.

The approved transfer would convey approximately 5.5 acres to John and Jody DeYoung; the applicants will retain the remaining acres on the parent parcel. Environmental Health and PDS follow-up steps include sanitation review, required permits, and arsenic sampling for new or altered private wells.","The county approved a family transfer exemption allowing Brandon DeYoung to transfer about 5.5 acres to his parents at a Ridgewood Ranchette parcel; sanitation review and private-well arsenic sampling were noted as requirements.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6182205,"Missoula County backs intent to adopt updated on-site wastewater rules",698,515000,1213000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5107589-542bf9fe2fcba5ce61eb5484b21ea084&start=515&end=1213","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5107589-542bf9fe2fcba5ce61eb5484b21ea084/thumbnail_515000.jpg","/articles/6182205/Missoula-County/Montana/Missoula-County-backs-intent-to-adopt-updated-on-site-wastewater-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6182205-12477f1ac196229ba28e185bcde0a60e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149538&Signature=Y40AebBgc-K1Y6JnPJhGWGuwhTRoJrefbesR5c6EXSQErT5mckENvmY23-uNxQdyYU~r6q~FwYd1qGi-sEfv8ko7sv4arXpYklyec-aN22UfJFsHXhua-rnyRcgcZTkh-~z~AtrBmHnTuyaOT8-7dGNCQxeLNfPUj6LbXSGTfnXoEre7TCFOl2~etRt1H0DpKnf0uAS59XrBiARDckKjY3KZBlXZ90IrNBGfaKlF8j3tPcN2xKEFzBcuFpKRHl2SiyvwTsby7Od0T0HrTmklJvPVbPQtmr-mxtndzpmA759K9-ZxSxTU3~iuHnIB~QBDD4iVivHXYBG0oKps9unT0A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Missoula County commissioners on Thursday approved a resolution of intent to adopt an updated Regulation 1 of the Missoula City-County Health Code to allow some new on-site wastewater systems in engineered fill.

The change follows the Montana Department of Environmental Quality\u0000(DEQ) rule update, and the Missoula City-County Board of Health approved the revised regulation on April 17, 2025, recommending the governing bodies adopt it by reference.

Charles \"Charlie\" Shane, environmental health manager at Missoula Public Health, told the commissioners that DEQ\u0000now permits some replacement and new on-site systems in engineered fill after the 2023 Legislature directed the agency to revise rules. \"Health code rules must be at least as stringent as state rules,\" Shane said, and the local change would allow property owners \"more flexibility when siting systems on difficult or disturbed sites.\" He added that DEQ requires engineered design reports, additional soil testing and certified as-builts before final approval.

Shane warned that fill systems were previously prohibited because \"if they are constructed improperly, wastewater can surface and that would potentially expose people, animals, pests to pathogens that are present in wastewater.\" He said the new state requirements include design and construction criteria intended to prevent that outcome.

County staff said the local interlocal agreement requires both the county commissioners and Missoula City Council to adopt the health code changes before they take effect. The recommended local action would replace the version adopted by reference under Ordinance 2022-03 with the health board-approved text from April 17, 2025.

Commissioners moved and seconded a motion to pass a resolution of intent to adopt an ordinance revising Regulation 1, and the motion carried with all present voting \"aye.\" The action is a resolution of intent; final ordinance adoption will follow the county's ordinance process and requires a later formal ordinance vote by the governing body.

The updated rule text clarifies that fill may not be used to circumvent state horizontal or vertical setbacks or other siting limits and that fill materials must meet specified soil types and compaction, per DEQ guidance. Missoula Public Health will continue to require sanitation review and certification in each case; staff said certain systems will require engineered designs and as-built certifications before final approval.","The county commissioners voted to pass a resolution of intent to adopt an updated version of Regulation 1 of the Missoula City-County Health Code, aligning local rules with recent Montana Department of Environmental Quality changes that allow certain on-site wastewater systems in placed fill.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioners indefinitely postpone Fire Bucket Meadows subdivision to await groundwater testing

County approves MML on 93 subdivision; requires screening along western edge

County approves Dvorak family-transfer exemption for Clements Road property

Commissioners approve DeYoung family-transfer exemption for Ridgewood Ranchette property

Missoula County backs intent to adopt updated on-site wastewater rules