Save East Missoula files appeal over place-typing and urges residents to monitor city hearings

Andrew Hurst, co-founder of the grassroots group Save East Missoula, told the East Missoula Community Council on March 10 that his organization filed a complaint in Missoula County District Court on March 3 challenging the city's place-typing and zoning decisions that affect East Missoula.

Hurst said the group incorporated as a nonprofit and that lawyers asked members not to disclose litigation strategy beyond what is already in public court filings. "We have the complaint filed," he said, and added that additional materials would be added to the case as they gather evidence. He identified Judge Leslie Halligan as presiding and contrasted that judge's handling of cases with earlier delays under Judge Larson.

Hurst told the council he obtained documents from Missoula County Planning, Development, and Sustainability that, he said, showed disagreement with some place types the city assigned to East Missoula. "That was documentation that was never shared with city council members or planning board members," he said, asserting a transparency gap he said the group will raise in court and at public hearings.

He explained that place-typing work was adopted in 2024 and zoning followed in 2025, and that mismatch has left neighbors concerned because some parcels in East Missoula were assigned higher-density place types ("residential high") that, under city codes, allow taller multi-unit buildings and different setbacks than county zones.

Asked whether a favorable ruling would stop the Aspire development, Hurst said it would not necessarily block the project but could require developers to revise later phases. "They would have to go back to the drawing board for their phase 6," he said, adding that some tweaking of plans might follow but the project could largely proceed.

Hurst invited community involvement in nonlitigation activities: he said the group has laminated flyers and yard signs available, a Facebook page with updates and a GoFundMe to help pay legal fees. He offered a mailing address for those preferring checks and asked residents to monitor city council public comment slots; he said he planned to post when he would speak at a city council meeting so residents could tune in.

The council discussed practical next steps, including volunteering to attend city hearings and using the East Missoula Community Council Facebook page to post neutral notices about the group's public events. Hurst emphasized that legal filings remain the primary vehicle for arguments and that the group will continue both the court process and public outreach.