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Commissioners approve Blackfoot Crossing growth-policy amendment and rezoning in West Riverside
Summary
Missoula County commissioners adopted a growth-policy amendment and rezoning for a roughly 107-acre Blackfoot Crossing proposal in West Riverside, approving land-use designations and a zoning map change after staff presentation and public comment.
Missoula County commissioners voted July 9 to adopt a resolution amending the county growth policy map and the county zoning map for a roughly 107-acre parcel in the West Riverside neighborhood (certificate of survey 6988 Tract 1B), clearing the way for the Blackfoot Crossing project to proceed under the assigned land-use designations.
Kathleen Arthur of the Missoula County Department of Planning, Development, and Sustainability summarized the staff recommendation and the public-noticing process. Arthur said the resolution of intent had been adopted March 5, with public notices published May 30 and June 6 and a 30-day comment period that closed June 29. Staff reported comment themes included concerns about development density and potential impacts to water quality given the parcel's location along the Blackfoot River.
Jamie Erbacher, representing Blackfoot Crossing LLC and WGM Group, told commissioners the NC (neighborhood center) zoning requires development at a density of at least eight dwelling units per acre and described work on a townhome-exempt layout for Lot 8 and plans to drill new public-water-supply wells; he said DEQ will review water-quality and quantity issues.
Several residents spoke in favor of the amendment and rezoning, citing potential for affordable housing, sewer infrastructure that would avoid direct discharge to the Blackfoot River and benefits to local schools. Gary Mattson, a longtime resident, praised developer Greg Morris for planning sustainable housing and a membrane bioreactor wastewater treatment system designed to preserve groundwater.
Commissioner Slotnick moved to adopt the resolution amending the Missoula County land-use map to assign neighborhood center, industrial center light, agricultural working lands (AGW 40) and resource/open-space to the property; the motion was seconded. The commission then moved to adopt a companion resolution amending the county zoning map to show the property with the stated zoning categories based on staff findings of fact and conclusions. Both motions were seconded and approved by voice vote.
The changes update the county's maps for the parcel and allow the applicant to proceed through the next steps of project review, including DEQ review of water resources and any necessary building or subdivision permits.
