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Commissioners allow 10,000‑gallon cistern instead of sprinklers for Alexandra Estates Phase 1
Summary
Missoula County approved an amendment allowing a 10,000‑gallon cistern in lieu of residential fire sprinklers for Alexandra Estates Phase 1; staff said the cistern meets current subdivision rules and Missoula Rural Fire District has approved it, while nearby residents expressed concern about adequacy in a large wildfire.
Missoula County commissioners approved a condition and covenant amendment on June 26 allowing a 10,000‑gallon cistern in place of residential fire sprinklers for Alexandra Estates Phase 1.
Tim Worley, with the Office of Planning, Development and Sustainability, said the cistern was already installed and that county staff and Missoula Rural Fire reviewed it as meeting current subdivision regulations. “We found that the cistern meets today's subdivision regulations, that this is basically an equivalency in protection to residential fire sprinklers,” Worley said.
The amendment affects only Phase 1; Worley said other phases associated with the original 2011 approval have expired and would require separate review if the developer pursues them. The recommended covenant language from the applicant’s engineer (406 Engineering) requires annual pumping, maintenance and signage and specifies that the developer initially retains responsibility for the cistern until a homeowners association takes over.
Two nearby residents spoke at the hearing raising concerns. Dan Mo, a longtime resident, questioned whether a 10,000‑gallon cistern would provide adequate fire flow for prolonged or spreading fires and noted previous flooding in the area. Pamela Gehrig, who lives west of the subdivision, said the surrounding forested land increases wildfire risk and asked whether additional cisterns would be needed if more homes are built. Worley and the applicant’s engineer said the cistern is located outside the mapped floodplain and that the installed tank is intended to supply sufficient water for firefighting of one fully involved home.
Carl of 406 Engineering confirmed the operational intent: “That's my understanding of it as well, that it's intended to provide enough water for the fire department to pump and extinguish 1 home fire.” Missoula Rural Fire District told staff it generally prefers sprinklers for occupant and responder safety but had approved the cistern as meeting fire‑protection requirements for Phase 1.
A commissioner moved to approve the covenant amendment “as detailed in the staff analysis and subject to the recommended condition of approval.” The motion passed on a voice vote.
County staff noted that any future development or a different subdivision approach for the remaining ground would require separate review and that additional water supplies or fire‑protection measures could be required at that time.
