Council rezones California–River Road parcel to B2-3, advancing denser riverfront development plan amid floodplain concerns

The Missoula City Council on April 7 adopted an ordinance rezoning a roughly five-acre parcel southwest of the intersection of North California Street and River Road from a mix of residential and lower-intensity business zones to B2-3 community business, a designation that allows greater building height and density.

City planners told the council the rezoning aligns with the city’s recently adopted land use plan, which designates the site as “urban mixed use low” and encourages walkable neighborhoods with a mix of housing types. Planner Tara Porcari said the rezone request to B2-3 is consistent with that place type and noted that rezonings themselves do not carry conditions; specific requirements such as floodplain permitting and any conservation-district reviews would come at the building permit stage.

Porc…