Council approves three‑year phasing extensions for Icon Apartment Homes at Doherty Ranch

The Missoula City Council voted unanimously to approve a phase development review and phasing plan extension for the Icon Apartment Homes at Doherty Ranch subdivision, granting the applicant a three‑year extension for both phases and adding/modifying conditions intended to clarify parkland placement and vehicle access requirements.

Mary McCray, permits and land use manager for City of Missoula Development Services, told the council the subdivision—approved in August 2023 under the applicable neighborhood master plan and form‑based code—envisions 101 lots over two phases and about 641 dwelling units for rent. “The applicant is requesting to extend the deadlines for both phases by 3 years to January 2029 for phase 1 and January 2035 for phase 2,” McCray said, and explained that state law requires the city to hold a phase development review to determine whether new information would change conditions of approval.

Staff recommended clarifying condition of approval 23 so parkland and open‑space areas are installed in the locations shown on the preliminary plat rather than referencing master‑plan exhibits, and adding condition 38 to address private access easements for lots that lack direct vehicle access because of proposed street types (e.g., Trail Street) and no‑access strips on Doherty Drive. McCray said the changes do not alter parkland amounts but are intended to avoid future confusion as the subdivision develops.

Council president placed the motion on the floor; with no public comment on the item, the council approved the phased development review and the requested phasing‑deadline extensions by unanimous voice vote.

The phase development review cannot itself deny a given phase; staff noted the council may update conditions of approval if new evidence of significant impacts emerges in future reviews.