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Lower Rattlesnake leaders tell Missoula council railroad noise, new subdivisions and a broken sidewalk threaten neighborhood safety
Summary
A Lower Rattlesnake neighborhood representative urged the Missoula City Council to address persistent railroad horn noise (estimating $800,000–$1 million in needs), oppose two subdivisions that could add 60–70 residences and roughly 100 cars, and repair a hazardous sidewalk on Van Buren Street.
Robert Schultz, representing the Lower Rattlesnake neighborhood leadership team, told the City Council on June 9 that railroad horn noise remains a significant local problem affecting residents and people using nearby trails and parks. "It is a significant problem," Schultz said, noting complaints come from people climbing Mount Jumbo, users of Waterworks and Mount Sentinel, and businesses south of the railroad tracks.
Schultz told the council that the neighborhood still needs "800,000 to a million dollars" and that extensive paperwork and bureaucracy remain before any mitigation work can begin. He also raised concern about two subdivisions proposed on or near Greenough Drive — including one on Cherry Gulch — that he said could create between 60 and 70 new residences and "probably ... 100 more cars," and that the neighborhood has only two egress points (Greenough Drive and Van Buren Street), increasing evacuation and traffic concerns.
Schultz also highlighted a hazardous sidewalk on the south side of the east part of Gregory Bar (east of Van Buren Street), calling it "perhaps one of the worst in the city" and saying he believes the sidewalk is on park property and could be fixed by the city. He suggested either repouring concrete or converting the area to a trail and noted the location is used heavily during Griz games.
Mayor Andrea Davis advised Schultz that residents may report sidewalk hazards through the city of Missoula website and noted councilor Eric Nelson could help follow up. The mayor also offered to notify city teams internally to pursue the reported sidewalk issue.
No formal council action was taken at the June 9 meeting on these neighborhood items; the presentation served as an update and a request for follow-up. Councilor Nelson was identified as a local contact for continued work on railroad noise and sidewalk repair.
