Bucket #7: Smart Growth and Land Use Planning
Snapshot: The strategies outlined and discussed below encourage thoughtful growth and land use for
Missoula. There is great opportunity to both mitigate climate change and build resilience (adapt) to the
effects of climate change with how Missoula develops. Redeveloping or developing new areas near existing
infrastructure, schools, business, parks and services is efficient, reduces capital and household costs,
encourages sustainable, healthy transportation options, builds community and conserves open space and
agricultural land. This growth, development, and land use pattern emphasizes the triple bottom line:
planet, profit, people and increases the quality of life in Missoula. In addition it positions Missoula to be
more resilient in the face of climate change impacts like flooding and wildfire.
Summit #2 Facilitators: Chase Jones (City of Missoula),
Laurie Yung (University of Montana). Group members:,
Alex Taft (Missoula City Council), Brent Campbell (WGM
group), Don MacArthur (MMW Architects), Jerry
O’Connell (Big Blackfoot Riverkeeper/Missoula CityCounty Planning Board), Laval Means (City of Missoula),
Jessica Morris (City of Missoula), Donna Gaukler (City of
Missoula), Nancy Heil (Planner, Missoula County), Dale
Bickell (City of Missoula), Mike Haynes (City of Missoula).
Top strategies identified:
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Utilize “Trails as Transportation” designation
Identify and Create Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) corridors
Update parking management strategy
Build support for and pass new Open Space Bond
Develop more parks and trails
Next steps for top three proposals:
1. “Trails as Transportation” designation
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Examine current federal, state and local laws and regulations
Identify necessary changes
Energize and coordinate key stakeholders, elected officials and public
Pursue changes and attain Trails as Transportation designation
Identify and implement projects that this designation enables
Key Collaborators: Missoula Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) members, City of Missoula
Development Services, City of Missoula Parks and Recreation, Missoula County Community and Planning
Services (CAPS), Montana Department of Transportation (MDT), Local and State elected officials, Federal
Highway Administration (FHWA), Municipal League of Cities and Towns, Bike Walk Alliance of Montana,
Adventure Cycling, Missoula Architects and Engineers.
2. Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Corridor development
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Define corridor(s)
Define mode (example: trolley)
Explore and identify funding
Research land use and zoning that supports TOD; Think about possible needed changes
Develop private sector and major employer attraction/investment
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Concentrate public funding on corridor
Make a contingent overlay to prime project when funding becomes available
Identify ways to reduce (investment) risk
Key Collaborators: MPO members, City of Missoula Development Services, CAPS, MDT, Mountain Line,
Missoula Redevelopment Agency (MRA), University of Montana (UM), Missoula Economic Partnership
(MEP), Missoula Housing Authority (MHA), Missoula Downtown Association (MDA), Missoula Parking
Commission (MPC), Missoula Chamber of Commerce, Sustainable Business Council (SBC), Missoula
Architects and Engineers, Developers.
3. Parking Management Strategy update
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Develop business and residential parking management strategy that balances financial,
environmental and social benefits
Develop analysis of parking fee structure and revise according to management strategy
Encourage and build more parking structures (if and when demand dictates rather than surface
parking)
Examine and develop parking turnover strategy
Develop parking with improved access/synergy to biking, walking, bus, etc.
Further reinvest parking revenues into biking, walking, bus, etc. infrastructure and encouragement
Secure neighborhood and residential parking (especially downtown)
Educate business owners, residents and public
Key Collaborators: MPC, MDA, Elected officials, MPO members, City of Missoula Development Services,
MRA, UM, Mountain Line, Developers, Chamber of Commerce, SBC, Neighborhood associations,
Missoula Architects and Engineers.
Additional climate strategies discussed: This group identified two distinct areas and strategies under each:
Focus Inward
 Create incentives to develop inward
 Utilizing ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units)
 Analyze school locations
 Address market value
 Appropriate urban design and public spaces
 More parks and trails
 Explore and launch car sharing program
 Explore mixed use rezoning
Resource Protection
 Create system of incentives
 Pass open space bond (conservation and trails)
 Promote agricultural land protection
 Analyze rural zoning
 Plan wisely for Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI)
 Limit development in high fire risk areas
 Implement natural flood control
 Protect wildlife habitat
 Utilize easements
 Identify vulnerable infrastructure and develop mitigation requirements