Development

While the City of Missoula works to reform its building and zoning codes to streamline the development process and create more housing, it's also racing to meet state-mandated deadlines regarding laws passed by the Legislature earlier this year.

A developer's appeal of the Historic Preservation Commission's denial of their project to build housing on private property while restoring the historic hospital at Fort Missoula will be heard early next year, members of the City Council said on Monday.

The consolidated planning board recommended approval of a subdivision west of Frenchtown last week, clearing the way for Missoula County to make a final decision on Thursday.

With hopes of landing a federal grant, Missoula County last week signed a letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation, asking it to support plans to redevelop the Highway 200 corridor through East Missoula.

Development interest in a number of properties owned by the City of Missoula is high, and officials believe activity could begin within the coming year on some of them.

A pilot program that looks to boost the construction of workforce housing and direct revenue into the city's Affordable Housing Trust Fund was approved by the Missoula Redevelopment Agency's board of commissioners on Thursday.

A privately funded workforce housing project plans to break ground in the Old Sawmill District this fall, offering 19 loft studio and one-bedroom apartments.

The new budgets adopted by the city and county of Missoula include funding to begin remediation work on the old federal building, along with money to cover operating costs over the next year.

A new tool in state law that defines workforce housing as infrastructure has city leaders eager to implement a pilot program that will direct tax increment toward “bricks and mortar” projects while helping grow the city's Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

A subdivision planned on 16 acres off Mary Jane Boulevard was approved by the Missoula City Council on Monday night, and it marks the first time a development has moved through the state's new expedited review process.

The agreement passes funding from the Community Development Block Grant program to the shelter to aid in the deconstruction of the Clark Fork Inn and building a new facility.

Missoula Loft Homes, planned by Miramonte Homes LLC, will include 162 dwelling units in a variety of housing types, including single-family homes and row houses. The project also includes three acres of parkland and is seeking an expedited review.