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Neighbors say Midtown Commons plan needs clearer commercial allocation, parking details and MRA transparency
Summary
During public comment at the Oct. 27 council meeting, multiple Southgate Triangle residents urged more public information and clarity on the Midtown Commons master plan, questioning commercial placement, parking assumptions, and expected MRA infrastructure commitments.
Multiple neighborhood leaders told the Missoula City Council on Oct. 27 that the Midtown Commons plan requires more public outreach and clearer design details, particularly about where commercial uses will be located and how parking and infrastructure will be funded.
Barbara Pulley said she attended an Oct. 22 presentation and left with questions about how multifamily housing, townhouses and commercial tenants would be allocated. “For example, the commercial allocation, if any, should be near the existing business on Paksa Street, not on the south end near Dixon Avenue,” Pulley said. She also asked whether taxes would rise for Urban Renewal District 32 and whether parks and recreation or the developer would fund park space.
Carrie Schreiber, a Southgate Triangle leadership-team member, said the community forum left attendees uncertain about the intended commercial uses; city planning staff told residents that new zoning could allow nearly any commercial use, she said. “As someone paying $2,000 a year into this urban renewal fund…I was prepared to lose that for more neighbors, but to put commercial in is really confusing and not knowing if it would be…offices that have business hours or something that's going to be a disruption to the whole neighborhood while they're trying to sleep,” Schreiber said.
Speakers also asked what amount MRA planned to commit for streets, parks and a proposed roundabout and whether those commitments would raise local taxes. Council and staff noted that details are available on the city’s Engage Missoula Midtown Commons page and that additional park concept-design outreach is planned in November.
Mayor Davis said materials and the schedule are posted online and that parks and recreation will lead a public concept-design process in November. Staff encouraged residents to continue attending forums and follow posted timelines for zoning and design decisions.
