Belltower Subdivision at Old Lolo School Site

The Missoula County commissioners approved this subdivision at their Sept. 11 public meeting, subject to conditions. You can watch the full meeting on the County's YouTube channel.

Project description

Developer MCG-Vines is proposing a new subdivision on the 33.75-acre property at the site of the old Lolo School, located at 11395 Hwy. 93 S. in Lolo. The project, known as the Belltower Planned Unit Development (PUD), includes 56 single-family residential lots, one commercial lot (not currently served by sewer or water), and one large lot with no immediate development plans.

The applicant requests review as a PUD Subdivision, in accordance with Section 4.2 of the Missoula County Subdivision Regulations. PUDs are subdivisions that promote mixed land uses and clustered designs that better respond to natural site characteristics, reduce infrastructure costs and accommodate common areas. The proposal includes 16.71 acres of dedicated public parkland, greatly exceeding the requirement of .6 acres.

Due to current water and sewer limitations, only the 56 homes are planned for immediate construction. The Lolo RSID water and sewer systems will provide service to the homes, with approval from Missoula County Public Works. The commercial lot will be prepared for dry utilities (like internet and electricity) only until full water and sewer services are available in the future.

Access to the subdivision will use the current Highway 93 entrances, which will be upgraded to support the new development.

The site is not zoned, and the land use designation in the amended 2002 Lolo Regional Plan recommends residential and commercial uses at this location. Several old school buildings remain on the site; most will be demolished except for two. One, Building 4, will be preserved for future use, and the Old Lolo Schoolhouse (on Lot A) will remain protected in its current condition. A historical report outlines three options to memorialize the schoolhouse; a final plan will be developed as future use of Lot A is determined.