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Missoula staff seek 12‑month extension of interim zoning ordinance tied to 2023 state law changes; public hearing held
Summary
City planning staff presented a request to extend interim urgency zoning ordinance 3,723 for 12 months to align local code with multiple 2023 state legislative land‑use changes; the council opened a public hearing, took public comment and set second reading for March 24 on the consent agenda.
City planning staff presented a request on March 10 to extend Missoula’s interim urgency zoning ordinance 3,723 for an additional 12 months so the city can align local zoning with legislative changes adopted in 2023.
Jen Gress of the city’s Community Planning, Development & Innovation (CPDI) summarized the ordinance history and rationale, describing the ordinance as an interim measure first adopted in October 2023 to incorporate state statutory changes that affected multiple sections of the zoning code. Gress said the ordinance implements legislative changes intended to respond to the affordable housing crisis and that the second reading is scheduled for March 24; the ordinance extension requires a two‑thirds vote to adopt.
Gress listed code changes that the interim ordinance previously implemented: allowing certain microbrewery retail sales colocations; raising residential day‑care size limits; adding definitions and zoning treatments for data centers and digital asset mining; limited temporary overnight stays at places of worship; changes to parking requirements in some commercial districts; repeal of certain townhome park/trail requirements; and removal of design standards not tied to public health and safety, among other items. She cited Montana Code Annotated section 76‑2‑306 as the statutory basis for interim urgency zoning ordinances.
During the public hearing Sage Bennett commented on broader city policy, urging the council to consider housing and shelter matters; the hearing was limited to the zoning ordinance and participants were reminded of the ordinance’s statutory basis. David Gray, an online commenter and architect, urged removing design and glazing requirements he said raise construction costs and utility bills and make housing less affordable.
Council members asked for the staff presentation to be circulated to council before the second reading; staff agreed to distribute the presentation. The council opened and closed the public hearing and placed the ordinance extension on the consent agenda for final action at the March 24 council meeting; no final vote was taken on March 10.
Ending
Staff will provide the second reading on the consent agenda March 24. Council members and the public will have an opportunity to review the staff presentation and the ordinance text ahead of that consent vote.
