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Missoula council approves Wild Route park development agreement tied to building-permit triggers
Summary
The council unanimously approved a parks development agreement for the Wild Route (formerly Hillview) subdivision that defers certain park improvements until specified dwelling-unit building permits are issued and requires financial security to guarantee completion.
Missoula City Council on Oct. 27 approved a park development agreement with Hillview Road LLC that shifts portions of required park construction for the Wild Route subdivision to later phases of development and ties completion to specific residential building-permit milestones.
City parks planner Lucy Rummler told council the preliminary plat approved in September 2024 required about 7.8 acres of new public parkland, to be delivered as two parcels (Park 1 and Park 2). The agreement makes Park 1—which includes roughly 4.8 acres and will serve nearby multifamily buildings—complete and accepted by the city before the developer may obtain its 220th dwelling unit (equivalent to the 22nd residential building permit). Park 2 completion is linked to later permit thresholds tied to the 280th dwelling unit (the 80th residential building permit). The agreement also references an exhibit of financial security to back the work if the developer does not complete the improvements.
“Park 1 would have been required as part of the phase 1 improvements,” Rummler said, “and this park development agreement makes it so that in order for the developer to obtain the subdivision’s 220th dwelling unit… Park 1 must be completed and accepted by the city per the approved park plans attached to the development agreement.”
Project representatives said much of the activity-area work—trails, topsoil placement and seeding—has already been installed and will be usable immediately, while later elements such as irrigation, sodded areas and tree planting will follow as secured work. Owner’s representative Zach Graham confirmed that the developer has provided financial security for the Park 1 improvements and will develop additional security for Park 2 before that work begins.
Council members asked whether deferral benefits the city; staff said the phased approach allows the park district to have a larger rate base (more residents contributing) before the city assumes maintenance responsibility. Concerns about past instances where developers failed to complete agreed work prompted discussion of the improvements-agreement mechanism; Rummler said the city is using the standard public-works improvements agreement as the security tool and that the agreement includes an engineer’s opinion of probable cost and required financial security.
The motion to approve the agreement—"I move city council approve and authorize the mayor to sign the park development agreement between the city of Missoula and Hillview Road LLC"—was made by Councilor Nugent and carried by unanimous roll call vote.
The agreement is a condition of subdivision approval (condition numbers 39 and 40) and must be signed by the city and developer before the final plat filing for phase 1. The city will accept ongoing maintenance of each park only after completion to the city’s plans and specifications and formal acceptance procedures.
