Committee considers new high‑density node category for Great Falls Plaza, mall and Exit 75

A committee member proposed adding a new high‑density node category to the draft future land‑use plan to concentrate redevelopment at three specific nodes: Great Falls Plaza, the Auburn Mall area and the Exit 75 interchange. The idea drew support from some members as a way to channel density and investment while others urged caution about connectivity and airport flight‑path constraints.

"Great Falls Plaza, the mall area, and near the interchange with 75 — those are three potential areas that I would see as somewhat different," Jeff Hyman said, arguing these sites may merit a separate category because of building‑height and density characteristics. He suggested the city could set density thresholds or allow greater height in those cores to encourage redevelopment.

Members stressed that higher density in those locations will require multimodal connections to downtown. "Connectivity is really important," Jane Coslow said, urging that trail, sidewalk and transit improvements accompany any targeted growth. Committee members pointed to planned and funded projects — such as the Riverwalk extension and the Washington Street corridor study — as pieces that could link a new node at Exit 75 to the core.

Airport and environmental constraints were also raised. Several members recommended using overlay zones where necessary to protect airport operations and to avoid unintended conflicts with flight paths while still permitting redevelopment in appropriate parcels.

Staff said the map can show these nodes conceptually and that zoning details, boundaries and overlay rules would be fleshed out later in the zoning implementation phase; the committee asked staff to return with refined boundaries and community engagement plans.

Next steps include staff work to draft conceptual node boundaries, coordinate with transportation planning efforts, and present refined proposals for committee review and public comment.