Development of the Former Lolo School Property

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Missoula County commissioners at their June 22, 2023, public meeting approved the amendment to the growth policy and Lolo Regional Map to allow for development of the former Lolo School property.

Let us know your thoughts or questions on the proposed growth policy amendment to allow for development at the former Lolo School property.

MCG-Vines submitted a proposal to the Missoula County Planning, Development and Sustainability Office to amend the Lolo Regional Plan map and Missoula County Growth Policy Land Use Map to change the designation of the former Lolo School property, located at 11395 Highway 93 S. in Lolo, away from “quasi-public land” to allow developers to transform the property into a residential community.

“Quasi-public land” means the property can be used for schools, community buildings, cemeteries or utility facilities, not for residential development. The proposed amendment to the Lolo Regional plan would allow for residential development of the former Lolo School property.

The developers have done numerous rounds of community engagement on the proposed residential community, including two presentations at Lolo Community Council meetings and an open house at the Lolo Community Center. At these events, residents could view an information packet as well as displays of how the property could be used – as commercial, residential or open space – while also considering the on-site topographical limitations.

Residents expressed interest in:

  • Preserving open space for the on-site flora and fauna, specifically in the northwestern gully near Cap De Villa Road, where there is heavy vegetation.
  • Preserving the old church building on site. Unfortunately, this is likely not feasible because of the asbestos found in the building.
  • Beautifying the Highway 93 streetscape at this location to make up for the number of run-down or undeveloped commercial properties nearby.
  • Having an eatery or coffee shop onsite to help promote social and community gatherings in Lolo.

To accommodate resident concerns, the developers’ proposal maximizes residential density to leave nearly 40% of the property as open space to preserve the flora and fauna onsite, as well as 4.21 acres in the southeast corner of the property for commercial space for a coffee shop, local eatery or other local commercial interest.

The Lolo Community Council and the Missoula Consolidated Planning Board voted to recommend approval of the Lolo Regional Plan map amendment proposal.

The Missoula County commissioners at their June 22 adopted the final resolution amending the Lolo Regional Plan map amendment and Growth Policy. 

Let us know your thoughts or questions on the proposed growth policy amendment to allow for development at the former Lolo School property.

MCG-Vines submitted a proposal to the Missoula County Planning, Development and Sustainability Office to amend the Lolo Regional Plan map and Missoula County Growth Policy Land Use Map to change the designation of the former Lolo School property, located at 11395 Highway 93 S. in Lolo, away from “quasi-public land” to allow developers to transform the property into a residential community.

“Quasi-public land” means the property can be used for schools, community buildings, cemeteries or utility facilities, not for residential development. The proposed amendment to the Lolo Regional plan would allow for residential development of the former Lolo School property.

The developers have done numerous rounds of community engagement on the proposed residential community, including two presentations at Lolo Community Council meetings and an open house at the Lolo Community Center. At these events, residents could view an information packet as well as displays of how the property could be used – as commercial, residential or open space – while also considering the on-site topographical limitations.

Residents expressed interest in:

  • Preserving open space for the on-site flora and fauna, specifically in the northwestern gully near Cap De Villa Road, where there is heavy vegetation.
  • Preserving the old church building on site. Unfortunately, this is likely not feasible because of the asbestos found in the building.
  • Beautifying the Highway 93 streetscape at this location to make up for the number of run-down or undeveloped commercial properties nearby.
  • Having an eatery or coffee shop onsite to help promote social and community gatherings in Lolo.

To accommodate resident concerns, the developers’ proposal maximizes residential density to leave nearly 40% of the property as open space to preserve the flora and fauna onsite, as well as 4.21 acres in the southeast corner of the property for commercial space for a coffee shop, local eatery or other local commercial interest.

The Lolo Community Council and the Missoula Consolidated Planning Board voted to recommend approval of the Lolo Regional Plan map amendment proposal.

The Missoula County commissioners at their June 22 adopted the final resolution amending the Lolo Regional Plan map amendment and Growth Policy. 

Missoula County commissioners at their June 22, 2023, public meeting approved the amendment to the growth policy and Lolo Regional Map to allow for development of the former Lolo School property.

Have a question about the proposal or process? Ask us! We will try to respond within five business days.