[MissoulaGov] Zoning Rewrite - Nieghborhood Protections

[Brent Campbell]

I continue to hear arguments that the proposed zoning code will
undermine the protections we currently have for neighborhoods.  I see it
quite differently.  I believe the existing code does a poor job of this.
I believe the proposed zoning code adds two important tools that will
provide greatly improved protections for neighborhoods.
 
ADU Overlay - The proposed ADU Overlay protects neighborhoods when
compared to the existing code.  The ADU overlay has a high hurdle,
requiring 2/3 council support if there is a protest.  The mere fact that
it is accommodated at all appears to bother many.  It seems to me that
not addressing it puts us right back in the situation we are in now.
The ground rules are clarified, protections are provided consistent with
our democratic process and the bar is set appropriately high for this
kind of controversial change.  Is the existing code better than what is
proposed?  I do not believe so, evidenced by the conflict and legal
battles we have had regarding ADU's.
 
Neighborhood Character Overlay - The second important protection
contained in the document is the Neighborhood Character Overlay.  This
is a brand new protection for neighborhoods that I believe will be a
huge benefit.  Design and development standards for neighborhoods are
accommodated which will help protect neighborhood character.  This is a
fantastic new tool that neighborhoods can use to put in place the
protections they desire, historic or otherwise.  This tool is not
accommodated in the existing code.  Again, the bar is set high for this
type of change to provide for a fair and just democratic process that
protects the minority and majority interests.
 
To reject the new code and argue that the we should stick with the old
code in the interest of neighborhood protection continues to puzzle me.
I would like hear from folks to help me understand the issue from
another perspective.  


Brent Campbell, P.E.
President / CEO
WGM Group, Inc.
http://www.wgmgroup.com


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Today's Topics:

   1. Thank You Mr Mayor... (Paradigm1 at aol.com)


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Message: 1
Date: Mon, 8 Jun 2009 21:55:11 EDT
From: Paradigm1 at aol.com
Subject: [MissoulaGov] Thank You Mr Mayor...
To: BJaffe at ci.missoula.mt.us, missoulagov at cmslists.com
Message-ID: <bfc.5d00fc48.375f1aff at aol.com>
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:-)

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