Missoula council approves phase development review for Riverfront Trails; water-rights conditions added

Missoula City Council on Oct. 20 unanimously approved the phase development review and a phasing-plan amendment for Riverfront Trails Subdivision phases 1b and 2, a residential project on Lower Miller Creek Road near Jeanette Rankin Elementary.

The action updates conditions tied to water-rights mitigation after city utility staff confirmed the city currently lacks sufficient water rights to serve the development. Tara Porcari, senior planner with the permits and land use group, told the council that staff had negotiated a development agreement with the applicant and recommended new conditions to ensure the transfer of water rights and required infrastructure before full use. "Phase Development Review can't result in a denial of any given phase," Porcari said, describing the review's limited legal scope to identify new impacts and update conditions where necessary.

The council's approval authorizes the applicant to proceed toward final plat subject to the amended conditions of preliminary plat approval and the new water-related requirements. Councilor Nugent moved the motion to…