CORNER FARM VILLAGE, L.L.C. USE VARIANCE IN CITIZEN ZONING DISTRICT #13

Missoula County commissioners approved this variance at their Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023, public meeting.

Missoula County Department of Planning, Development, and Sustainability (PDS) has received a use variance request from Corner Farm Village, L.L.C., for the property located at the corner of Third and Tower Streets, legally described as Lots 47 & 48, Dinsmore’s Orchard Homes #5 in S24, T13N, R20W, P.M.M. The 9.25-acre parcel is zoned as Citizen Zoning District ZD#13.

The property is actively used for agricultural operations, including the Clark Fork Organics farmstand along Tower Street. Corner Farm Village, L.L.C., proposes to leave the northern portion of the property in agricultural use (approx. 8 acres); the southern portion of the property (approx. 2.2 acres) is proposed for residential use, as allowed by the zoning district, and a farm store/café, not to exceed 2,500 square feet, which will sell local products, including food harvested from the site. Other possible uses to be housed within the 2,500 s.f. building include art gallery and research/training facilities.

Citizen Zoning District #13 allows agricultural activities but does not permit commercial activities. The use variance request is intended to allow sales and food service to support the agricultural use on the northern portion of the property. The farm store/café is proposed for the building located in the southwest corner of the property – just east of the new parking area along Tower Street – labeled as “Agricultural-Related Business.” The conceptual site plan submitted with the application depicts an approved boundary line relocation and the preliminary development plan for both tracts that make up this property.

The Missoula County Board of Commissioners is authorized to grant variance requests in Citizen Zoning Districts, after a hearing and a recommendation by the Planning and Zoning Commission. In order to approve a variance request, the board must determine that the authorization of the variance will not be contrary to the public interest where, owing to special conditions, literal enforcement of the zoning regulations would result in unnecessary hardship.

The public hearing will be in a hybrid format before the Missoula Planning and Zoning Commission and Missoula County Board of Commissioners on Thursday, February 9, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. in the Sophie Moiese Room of the Missoula County Courthouse Annex, 200 W. Broadway in Missoula. To join the meeting on your phone, call (406) 272‑-‑4824, and use Conference ID 863 449 384#. To receive a link to join the Teams video meeting online, please reach out to Jennie Dixon at 406-258-4946 or jdixon@missoulacounty.us