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Code reform, use of public land and developer terms emerge as central themes in Missoula forum
Summary
Candidates discussed upcoming code reform, rezoning, and how the city should use publicly owned land and tax-increment financing to create permanently affordable housing and avoid selling land to highest bidders.
At the Oct. 29 candidate forum, Missoula City Council hopefuls discussed code reform, rezoning and how the city should use or sell public land, with several candidates urging protections for community benefits and permanently affordable housing.
Daniel Carlino repeatedly framed code reform as a tool to allow more housing types in more places: "People need more homes in Missoula, and we shouldn't be blocking housing," he said, arguing that allowing duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes will add supply. He also said city-owned land sales present opportunities to place permanently affordable housing rather than selling to the highest bidder.
Jennifer Savage described code reform as a way to "level that playing field" so that every neighborhood contributes to housing supply rather than concentrating density in a few areas. Mike Nugent suggested using deed restrictions and changes to subdivision statutes to enable community land trusts and long-term affordability.
David Quattrocci said the city should require stronger public benefits when public land or tax-increment financing is used, including set-asides for deeply affordable units.
Why it matters: Code and zoning changes will shape what types of housing can be built across neighborhoods, who benefits from publicly supported projects, and whether affordable units remain permanently affordable.
Clarifying details
- Code reform: Candidates said the state legislature has recently changed rules that affect local zoning (e.g., ADU/duplex allowances by right) and that the city's forthcoming code reform will rezone and allow a wider range of housing types.
- Public land: Candidates warned against simply selling city land to the highest bidder and proposed using city-owned land for community land trusts or requiring permanent affordability requirements when using public subsidies.
Ending: Candidates agreed code reform and public-land strategy are key levers to increase housing supply and long-term affordability, but noted state constraints and the need for careful implementation.
