[MissoulaGov] Ian Lange's guest column

[Bob Jaffe]

http://missoulian.com/news/opinion/columnists/article_1bb9fb0c-a48f-11de-b446-001cc4c002e0.html?mode=story

I have tried to figure out what Ian is talking about when he says the new zoning code increases density in single family residential neighborhoods. There are only a couple places this could come from:

He may not realize that PAZ acted to prohibit ADU in single family zoned residential neighborhoods. Some citizens had been saying that ADU were a defacto density increase.

Clarifying and bringing consistency to density calculations (min. s.f./d.u. for all zones rather than d.u./acre for some zones, s.f./d.u. for some zones and s.f./bedroom for the rest) resulted in modest increases in density in some districts. For example the new R40 allows a 40,000 sf lot where the old RLD-1 allowed 43,560 sf lots. One would need at least 12 acres of land zoned R40 to get one additional home over what was allowed in RLD-4. This was all debated in detail at Planning Board and PAZ.

For Mr. Lange's situation in the University neighborhood the only substantive changes that I am aware of are:
Buildings in the new R5.4 will be a maximum of one foot shorter than what was permitted before.

If someone has the energy to request a conditional use permit for a bed and breakfast and makes it though the public hearing process, Mr. Lange may see a big old house in his area preserved and enjoyed by a family who has occasional paying guests.

Lot sizes and setbacks in the University neighborhood will not change. The ADU that Mr. Lange owns and rents out will remain a legal nonconforming use. His neighbors will not be allowed to build similar ADU's on their property.

In regards to the City and County needing to work together this is always a good thing but it should be acknowledged that OPG is the planning agency for both the City and the County. The County has a longstanding interlocal agreement with the City on planning, is regularly briefed by staff on City policy proposals, meets regularly with the Mayor and the City Council, etc. At last year's League of Cities and Towns meeting we heard horror stories about how many of the other cities and counties in Montana operate.

The fact is, life is still good in Missoula Montana and the sky is not falling.

Bob Jaffe
Missoula City Council Ward 3
1225 South 2nd West
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 880-2052

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