Council approves two right-of-way vacations related to Roundup Drive and downtown block redevelopment

The Missoula City Council on June 23 approved two right-of-way vacation resolutions: one vacating unused portions of Roundup Drive and the other vacating a 20-foot east-west alley in Block 20 of the Knowles Addition to accommodate a planned mixed-use development.

Public Works project coordinator Brent Dolan told council the Roundup Drive vacation implements a prior public-roadway agreement related to the 44 Ranch preliminary plat. The developer had built Chuckwagon Drive as the primary access route; the city and developer agreed that after Chuckwagon was completed, unused sections of Roundup Drive would be vacated. Staff recommended adoption of the vacation, noting the areas vacated were part of the prior exchange and that ownership and prior transfers had already been processed. Councilor Becerra moved and the council adopted the resolution by roll-call vote.

Separately, the council approved a petition to vacate an east-west alley in the hip strip as part of a planned mixed-use residential and commercial building proposed by Waypoint Homes. Staff reported the alley contains utilities; the developer will provide a temporary utility easement and will grant public-access easements of three feet along Myrtle and five feet along South Fourth Street West. The applicant (represented at the meeting) agreed to a $126,000 contribution to the city's affordable housing fund as part of the public benefit for the vacation and to sidewalk improvements intended to improve walkability. Councilor Becerra moved the alley vacation; the council adopted it by roll-call vote.

Both resolutions passed without recorded opposition. Staff noted required conditions for the alley vacation, including the timing of the affordable-housing contribution and the easement grant prior to building-permit approval or within 180 days.