[MissoulaGov] Committee Update 10-8-08

[Ryan Morton]

On parkland dedication, there were two proposals from the builders.  One was
to have neighborhood specific dedication rates that could be posted for the
public and discussed at the pre-application interview.  The idea was
two-fold:  encourage development around areas with existing parks and
provide a more rational nexus for the exactions.  Also, this idea arose in
the stakeholder meeting we had with Parks, was specified more clearly in our
written comments, and was not a new proposal as of the hearing yesterday.  

 

The other proposal was to amend multifamily site design standards to make
the 35% landscaping requirement include a common area for recreation.  I
like this idea better as it allows the homeowners association to decide what
kind of recreation (playground, athletic, community garden, etc.).  People
don't recreate the same way (don't get me wrong, I like to swing and ride
the bouncy horses just as much as the next 29 year old guy).  Common areas
also relieve the City of maintenance responsibilities.  If an HOA fails in
its duties to maintain the common area, a resident could file a complaint
for zoning noncompliance and the City could compel the HOA to fix up the
common area.  I imagine this would be rarely necessary as the common area
would be a strong marketing tool.  Developments with playgrounds may attract
more families with children.  Developments with community gardens may
attract a different crowd.  Anyhow, I think you could amend those standards
now and let the rewrite clean them up in the future.

 

On a professional note, we've been asking other council members (no one has
confirmed yet) to make a referral just so these ideas could be properly
discussed.  It's incredibly frustrating working on this when Parks doesn't
even acknowledge alternatives.  We are very worried that local builders will
be priced out of work with the Parks proposal and that Missoula might have
to rely on out of state builders who don't care nearly as much about our
neighborhoods as local builders.  We're simply looking for solutions that
meet the need for parks and recreation AND preserves business for local
builders.

 

Ryan Morton, Government Affairs Director

Missoula Building Industry Association

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