Council approves purchase of 16.5-acre Tipp property along Clark Fork River for open space

Missoula City Council voted 10-1 on May 5 to approve a resolution to acquire approximately 16.5 acres of riverfront land owned by Brian Tipp along the Clark Fork River, adjacent to the Kim Williams Trail.

The resolution authorizes up to $112,700 from the 2006 open space bond to cover the city's portion of the purchase and due-diligence costs. Parks and Recreation staff said the property appraised at about $200,000 and total estimated project costs including title, appraisal and closing were roughly $230,000; the landowner indicated willingness to contribute at least 51% of the total cost, which staff said supports the funding request.

Parks and Recreation Open Space Manager Zach Covington told council the site contains riparian and wetland vegetation, mature forest and wildlife habitat and has direct Kim Williams Trail access at the southwest corner. Covington said floodplain mapping shows a large portion of the site within the 100-year floodplain but that parts of the parcel sit outside the floodplain. He also said the route of the Kim Williams Trail overlaps with the proposed Great American Rail Trail corridor.

Anne Iverson, vice chair of the Open Space Advisory Committee (OSAC), told council OSAC members who visited the site were supportive, noting the parcel's riparian values and concern that development could otherwise occur if the city did not act. The committee cited concerns about existing user-made trails and some homeless encampment activity but concluded the property's conservation and public-access values warranted acquisition.

Council discussion touched on access constraints and erosion risk. Councilor Jordan asked why the 16.5-acre tract was appraised at about $230,000; Covington said limited recorded vehicular access and comparables for similarly constrained parcels were factors. Councilor Campbell said he visited the site and expressed concern about erosion and long-term flood impacts; Covington said staff had not conducted an in-depth erosion analysis but noted mature vegetation likely helps stabilize soils.

The council adopted the resolution on a roll-call vote of 10 in favor, 1 opposed (Councilor Campbell). The staff presentation noted annual management costs for the parcel were estimated at approximately $3,500 to $4,000 and would be covered by the conservation lands stewardship levy.

Ending: Parks staff said the acquisition would advance multiple goals in the Missoula Urban Area Open Space Plan, including riparian protection, wildlife habitat, and public access to river corridors. The Open Space Advisory Committee and the Climate, Conservation and Parks Committee had reviewed the project; staff will return to finalize purchase documents and complete due diligence.