County planners propose consolidated land-use board as city shifts to municipal planning commission

Missoula County planning staff on Oct. 22 described a proposal to form a Missoula Consolidated Land Use Board to assume land-use review functions after the city moves to a municipal planning commission.

Karen Hughes, with Planning, Development and Sustainability, said the Consolidated Planning Board has long been a joint city–county body and that the city’s pending changes will result in splitting that joint board. "We are proposing to consolidate our land use review boards into 1 board," Hughes told the All Community Council. The proposed Missoula Consolidated Land Use Board would combine the functions of a planning board, a zoning commission and a board of adjustment into a single seven-member board with two alternates. Hughes said all members would be required to be county residents and appointed by the county commissioners and would live in unincorporated areas of the county.

Hughes said staff plan to present a resolution to the commissioners and that the county is seeking public comment via the Missoula County voice page. She noted a public meeting consideration is planned for Nov. 6 and that the county will email community councils with details and links.

Members in the meeting asked whether community council members could apply; Hughes replied that "anybody can apply" provided they live outside city limits and inside the county boundary. She also said the county anticipates seeking applicants with diverse geographic representation and a range of backgrounds, including historic or natural resource knowledge, agriculture, housing, land-use law, real estate or architecture. Hughes said initial appointments would likely come from interested members of existing boards who meet residency requirements but that some open positions will be advertised.

Hughes invited attendees to provide feedback through the county’s Missoula County voice page and by email so staff can refine the proposal before bringing a final recommendation to the commissioners.