Development Projects

Project Description

Adam and Aubrey Wulf are requesting a plat adjustment to their property in the Shelby Addition Subdivision located at 7089 Mormon Creek Road, southwest of Lolo.

The plat adjustment is to move the designated platted area for a driveaway to a newly proposed area.

When the home was constructed, the existing driveway – now proposed for demolition – was not built within the designated access easement. The proposed driveway is relocated approximately 13 feet to the east of the existing driveway. Even though the existing driveway was built in the wrong area, the proposed driveway still requires a plat adjustment as it outside of the originally designated space for a driveway.

The new driveway would be 20 feet wide and paved.

Project Timeline

County commissioners’ public hearing: 2 p.m., Thursday, May 28.

• In-person location: Sophie Moiese Room, Missoula County Courthouse Annex, 200 West Broadway, Missoula
• Virtual option: Residents can attend the meeting via Microsoft Teams. To join the call on your phone, call 406-272-4824, Conference ID 467 457 758#. To join the meeting on your device, follow the links on the agenda that will be published at http://missoula.co/bccmeetings

Public Comment

Let us know what you think by logging in or creating an account and submitting your comment below.

Project Lead

Kevin Dantic, 406-258-4652

Important Links and Documents

Shelby Addition Plat Adjustment Application

Shelby Addition Proposed Conditions

Planning, Development and Sustainability

The Ranch Club Subdivision phasing plan extension was granted a continuance until the May 28 public hearing meeting, at which point commissioners will make a motion to approve or deny the request. Residents are welcome to attend the May 28 public hearing meeting.

County commissioners’ public hearing meeting : Thursday, May 28, 2 p.m.

• In-person location: Sophie Moiese Room, Missoula County Courthouse Annex, 200 West Broadway, Missoula
• Virtual option: Residents can attend the meeting via Microsoft Teams. To join the call on your phone, call 406-272-4824, Conference ID 467 457 758#. To join the meeting on your device, follow the links on the agenda that will be published at http://missoula.co/bccmeetings

Project Description:

Ranch Club Investments LLC, represented by Genesis Engineering Inc., is requesting a Phasing Plan Extension of the Ranch Club Subdivision Phases 10 and 11. This subdivision was originally approved in 2003, as a phased subdivision with 323 lots, formerly known as Phantom Hills Estates.

The applicant requests the following:

• 2-year extension of the Phase 10 filing deadline to Dec. 31, 2027
• 3-year extension of the Phase 11 filing deadline to Dec. 31, 2029

These are the two remaining phases of the Ranch Club development and will consist of 52 single-family lots, 41 townhome lots and 5.55 acres of dedicated parkland.

Missoula County Subdivision Regulations Phasing Plan Extension

Missoula County Subdivision Regulations (MCSR) Section 5.8.18.4 allows extension of at least one but no more than three years from the date of the request, which applies to the entire subdivision. Final plats for all phases of a subdivision approved on or after May 8, 2017, must be submitted to review and approved, conditionally approved or denied within 20 years of the date or preliminary plat approval (MCSR) Section 5.8.18.5.B.

Project Timeline:

County commissioners’ public hearing meeting: 2 p.m. Thursday, March 26

• In-person location: 200 W. Broadway, Missoula County Courthouse, Sophie Moiese Room
• Virtual option: Residents can attend the meeting via Microsoft Teams. To join the meeting on your device, follow the links on the agenda that will be published on the Missoula County’s public meeting portal.

County commissioners’ public hearing meeting : Thursday, May 28, 2 p.m.

• In-person location: Sophie Moiese Room, Missoula County Courthouse Annex, 200 West Broadway, Missoula
• Virtual option: Residents can attend the meeting via Microsoft Teams. To join the call on your phone, call 406-272-4824, Conference ID 467 457 758#. To join the meeting on your device, follow the links on the agenda that will be published at http://missoula.co/bccmeetings

Public Comment:

Submit public comment by Wednesday, May 27 by using the comment tool below. Let us know what you think by logging in or creating an account and submitting your comment below.

Project Lead:

Kevin Dantic, 406-258-4652

Important Links and Documents:

Ranch Club Phasing Plat Extension

Phases 10 & 11 Map

Ranch Club Aerial

Planning, Development and Sustainability

Project Description

Sebastian Guilhemotonia is requesting to use the family transfer exemption from subdivision review to divide their 1-acre property, located at 7580 Arroyo Lane off Mullan Road, into two tracts (Lot 11A: .4-acres; Lot 11B: 0.6-acres). Sebastian intends to gift Lot 11A to his father, Phillipe Guilhemotonia, and keep Lot 11B as his primary residence.

Subdivision Regulations and Exemptions

Missoula County’s subdivision regulations promote public health, safety and general welfare by ensuring any subdivision of land in the County’s jurisdiction provides for adequate light, air, water supply, sewage disposal, parks and recreation areas, ingress and egress and other public requirements. Many requests to divide land must go through the subdivision process to ensure these requirements are met, but certain types of land division are exempt from subdivision review. Landowners can apply for one or multiple subdivision exemptions when their development plans meet the state and local requirements for the applicable exemptions.

Being granted these exemptions means the property owner does not need to go through the standard subdivision review process to divide their property. These requests require administrative review by planning staff and, in some cases, may require approval by the county commissioners to ensure the applicant is not evading these regulations.

• Family Transfer Exemption
  Landowners can request a family transfer exemption when they intend to divide their property to gift or sell the newly created parcel(s) to an immediate family member.

View subdivision exemption criteria.

What is a family transfer?

Montana law specifically allows landowners to divide land and gift or sell one parcel per immediate family member (like a child, parent or spouse), without full subdivision review.

Requests for family transfers must always come before the commissioners. Missoula County considers dozens of family land transfers every year. It’s not rare — other counties across Montana regularly process these applications too. It’s not a loophole — it’s in the law for a reason: to help families live near each other or pass down land. It does not skirt regulations — the process requires surveys, documentation, fees and approval by county commissioners.

The landowner and recipient must be real people, not LLCs or corporations. It can only be used once per family member per county.

Project Timeline

County commissioners hearing: Thursday, May 28, 2 p.m.

• In-person location: Sophie Moiese Room, Missoula County Courthouse Annex, 200 West Broadway, Missoula
• Virtual option: Residents can attend the meeting via Microsoft Teams. To join the call on your phone, call 406-272-4824, Conference ID 467 457 758#. To join the meeting on your device, follow the links on the agenda that will be published at http://missoula.co/bccmeetings

Public Comment

Submit public comment by Wednesday, May 27, by using the comment tool below. Let us know what you think by logging in or creating an account and submitting your comment below.

Project Lead

Katy Reeder, 406-258-3707

Important Links and Documents

Guilhemotonia Family Transfer Application

Planning, Development and Sustainability webpage

Project description

Petty Creek Mountain Ranch LLC, represented by Marias Hale of Eli & Associates Inc., is requesting boundary line relocations involving 10 parcels to improve the layout and management of a 708-acre property. This boundary line relocation would align parcel boundaries along natural features and existing infrastructure associated with current agricultural and guest ranch operations.

What is boundary line relocation?

Boundary lines are the invisible division between properties. MCA §76.3.207(1)(a) states that a landowner has the opportunity to relocate boundary lines between adjoining properties outside of platted subdivisions. Missoula County Subdivision Regulations require any boundary line relocation involving six or more tracts of land to receive approval from the county commissioners through a public hearing process. Boundary line relocations do not result in an increase in the total number of lots and/or tracts.

Project timeline

County commissioners hearing: Thursday, June 4, 2 p.m.

• In-person location: Sophie Moiese Room, Missoula County Courthouse Annex, 200 West Broadway, Missoula
• Virtual option: Residents can attend the meeting via Microsoft Teams. To join the call on your phone, call 406-272-4824, Conference ID 467 457 758#. To join the meeting on your device, follow the links on the agenda that will be published at http://missoula.co/bccmeetings

Public comment

Let us know what you think by logging in or creating an account and submitting your comment below.

Project lead

Kevin Dantic, 406-258-4652

Important links and documents

Petty Creek boundary line relocation application

Petty Creek current and proposed conditions

Project Description

The Missoula County Planning, Development & Sustainability Department (PDS) has received a Floodplain Development Permit Application #26-14 from William Gaddy for repairs to a residential structure in the FEMA-designated Clark Fork River Floodway.

The site is located at 10515 Rustic Road: Parcel B, COS 1406, S34, T13N, R18W, Missoula County.

What is a floodplain development permit?

The primary purpose of the floodplain development permit is to promote public health, safety and general welfare; minimize flood losses in areas subject to flood hazards; and promote wise use of the floodplain.

Public Comment

Submit public comment by 5 p.m., Monday, May 11, through the following three methods.

1. Use the comment tool below. You must be registered on Missoula County Voice
2. Email floodplain@missoulacounty.us(External link)
3. Mail to Planning, Development, & Sustainability
   • Attn: Matt Heimel, Floodplain Administrator, 200 W. Broadway St., Missoula, MT 59802

Questions or want to make an appointment?

Residents can call 406-258-4647 or email floodplain@missoulacounty.us with any questions or to make an appointment to review the permit application.

Important Documents and Links

Floodplain Permit Application

Construction Cost Estimates

Construction Plans

Department of Revenue Property Assessment

Floodplain and Shoreline Administration Webpage

Physical applications are available in the PDS office at 127 E. Main St., Suite 2 in downtown Missoula

This permit is subject to approval by the floodplain administrator and does not go before the county commissioners.

Project Description

The Missoula County Planning, Development and Sustainability Department (PDS) has received a Floodplain Development Permit #26-12 from Grant Creek Crossing – Missoula LLC for reconstruction of Schramm Street in the Grant Creek regulated flood hazard area.

The site is located at the Schramm Street crossing over Grant Creek, about 725 feet of Reserve Street: Tract 3A-1B COS 7031, S05, T13N, R19W in Missoula County.

What is a floodplain development permit?

The primary purpose of a floodplain development permit is to promote public health, safety and general welfare, to minimize flood losses in areas subject to flood hazards, and to promote wise use of the floodplain.

Public Comment

Submit public comment by 5 p.m., Monday, April 6, through the following three ways.

1. Use the comment tool below. You must be registered on Missoula County Voice
2. Email floodplain@missoulacounty.us
3. Mail to Planning, Development and Sustainability
   • Attn: Matt Heimel, Floodplain Administrator, 200 W. Broadway St., Missoula, MT 59802

Questions or want to make an appointment?

Please feel free to call 406-258-4647 or email floodplain@missoulacounty.us with any questions or to make an appointment to review the permit application.

Important Documents and Links

Cover Letter

Floodplain Permit Application

Revised Map

Engineer Certification

Floodplain and Shoreline Administration Webpage

Physical applications are available in the PDS office at 127 E. Main St., Suite 2, in downtown Missoula

This permit is subject to approval by the floodplain administrator and does not go before the county commissioners.

Project Description

The Missoula County Planning, Development and Sustainability Department (PDS) has received a Floodplain Development Permit Application #26-08 from Amee Tafoya for reconstruction of a cabin in the Clearwater River regulated flood hazard area.

The site is located at 975 Leaning Pine Drive on state-leased land: Parcel: 13, COS 4875, S)4, T16N, R15W in Missoula County.

What is a floodplain permit?

The primary purpose of a Floodplain Development Permit is to promote public health, safety, and general welfare, to minimize flood losses in areas subject to flood hazards, and to promote wise use of the floodplain.

Public Comment

Submit public comment by 5 p.m., Monday, April 6, through the following three ways.

1. Use the comment tool below. You must be registered on Missoula County Voice
2. Email floodplain@missoulacounty.us
3. Mail to Planning, Development and Sustainability
   • Attn: Matt Heimel, Floodplain Administrator, 200 W. Broadway St., Missoula, MT 59802

Questions or want to make an appointment?

Please feel free to call 406-258-4647 or email floodplain@missoulacounty.us with any questions or to make an appointment to review the permit application.

Important Documents and Links

Floodplain Permit Application and Value Estimates – 8.28.25

Floodplain Permit Application and Values Estimates – 9.18.25

Construction Plans

Modified DeAcetis Cabin

Floodplain and Shoreline Administration Webpage

Physical applications are available in the PDS office at 127 E. Main St., Suite 2 in downtown Missoula

This permit is subject to approval by the floodplain administrator and does not go before the county commissioners.

Project Description

The Missoula County Planning, Development & Sustainability Department (PDS) has received a Floodplain Development Permit Application #26-05 from George Neumunz for construction of a stream crossing in the Sixmile Creek regulated flood hazard area.

The site is located on the west side of the Sixmile Road: Lot 21 of Six Mile Timber Tracts #2, S23, T15N, R22W, Missoula County.

What is a floodplain development permit?

The primary purpose of the floodplain development permit is to promote the public health, safety, and general welfare, to minimize flood losses in areas subject to flood hazards, and to promote wise use of the floodplain.

Public Comment:

Submit public comment by 5 p.m., Monday, April 6 through the following three ways.

1. Use the comment tool below. You must be registered on Missoula County Voice
2. Email floodplain@missoulacounty.us
3. Mail to Planning, Development, & Sustainability
   • Attn: Matt Heimel, Floodplain Administrator, 200 W. Broadway St., Missoula, MT 59802

Questions or want to make an appointment?

Please feel free to call 406-258-4647 or email floodplain@missoulacounty.us with any questions or to make an appointment to review the permit application.

Important Documents and Links:

Floodplain Permit Application

Supplemental and Revised Packet

Discussion and Review

Floodplain and Shoreline Administration Webpage

Physical applications are available in the PDS office at 127 E. Main St., Suite 2 in downtown Missoula

This permit is subject to approval by the floodplain administrator and does not go before the county commissioners.

Project Description

The Missoula County Planning, Development, & Sustainability Department (PDS) has received Floodplain Development Permit Application #26-03 from Gregory Axtman for electrical utility work.

The primary purpose of a Floodplain Development Permit is to promote the public health, safety, and general welfare, to minimize flood losses in areas subject to flood hazards, and to promote wise use of the floodplain.

Project Location

The site is located at 1744 Snowmass Drive in the Clearwater River regulated flood hazard area: Parcel 15 of COS 5140, Section 04, Township 16 North, Range 15 West, Missoula County. See location here.

The full application is available for review online or in the PDS office at 127 E. Main St., Suite 2, in Missoula.

Please feel free to call 406-258-4657 or email floodplain@missoulacounty.us with any questions or to make an appointment to review the permit application.

Public Comment

Submit comments by 5 p.m., Friday, Oct. 17, by using the comments tools below, by emailing floodplain@missoulacounty.us or mailing to Planning, Development, & Sustainability, Attn: Matt Heimel, Floodplain Administrator, 200 W. Broadway St., Missoula MT 59802.

Related Documents and Links

Floodplain Permit Application

Application Signatures

Site Map

This permit is subject to approval by the floodplain administrator and does not go before the Board of County Commissioners.

Update as of March 17

The county commissioners heard public comment at their March 5 and 12 meetings. After much discussion, the commissioners approved the growth policy amendment, rezoning, and Blackfoot Crossing Riverfront minor subdivision. These amendments will allow for residential, light industrial, and limited neighborhood commercial development, as well as recreational and open space uses along the Blackfoot River and the nearby mountain slopes.

The commissioners opted for Neighborhood Center zoning instead of the proposed commercial center zoning, so a travel plaza will not be an allowed use in the development. The new zoning does not take effect until the commissioners receive public comment for 30 days after a resolution of intent to adopt the zoning is published in the Missoulian (and the commissioners ultimately sign a final resolution to adopt). The timeframe for when the notice will be published is to be determined.

Map showing approved rezone

Map showing approved growth policy designation

What is a resolution of intent?

A resolution of intent does not mean a project is approved to go forward. A resolution of intent means there is intention to adopt the project, but certain conditions need to be met before the project is approved. It is not the same as a vote of approval.

What’s next?

Since the commissioners did not approve the zoning requested by the developer needed to build a travel plaza, the developer stated he will need to rework aspects of the project to make it feasible. If there are no paths forward, the developer can choose to table this project. This means the resolution of intent, which includes the approval of the growth policy amendment, and rezoning, will not go forward. The property would retain its current land use designation and zoning as largely heavy industrial. The developer may also decide to keep the original Blackfoot Crossing Subdivision or file the newly approved Blackfoot Crossing Riverfront Subdivision.

Project Background

Growth Policy Amendment and Rezoning: The developer of the Blackfoot Crossing Riverfront project seeks to amend Missoula County’s Growth Policy and zoning map by changing the land use designations and rezoning the former West Bonner Log Yard. If these requests are not approved, the proposed subdivision would not comply with current zoning regulations and could not be permitted as proposed. If approved, this project will convert the 107-acre site into a mix of new commercial, residential, industrial, recreational and open space uses.

The proposal is to amend the Missoula County Growth Policy Land Use Element Map as follows:

1. Preliminarily approved Blackfoot Crossing Subdivision, Lots 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27: proposed to be designated Commercial Center; other land use designations that may be considered for adoption for these lots are Neighborhood Commercial and Industrial Center.
2. Proposed Blackfoot Crossing Riverfront Subdivision, Lots 5, 6, 7 and 8: proposed to be designated as Neighborhood Center.
3. Proposed Blackfoot Crossing Riverfront Subdivision Common Areas, CA2 and CA4: proposed to be designated as Open Land, Resource, and Recreation.
4. Proposed Blackfoot Crossing Riverfront Subdivision Common Area CA5: proposed to be designated as Working Lands.

While this property is currently vacant, the County’s Growth Policy has designated most of it for heavy industrial use. With the growth policy amendment and rezoning, the developer proposes to reduce the area zoned heavy industrial to accommodate a new mixed-use development, including housing and commercial uses. Currently, 68 acres of this site are zoned Industrial Center Heavy (ICH), 17 acres are zoned Industrial Center Light (ICL), and 22 acres are zoned Agriculture, Working (AGW40). Under this proposal, the developer seeks to amend the zoning map as follows:

• Establish Commercial Center zoning on the west side of the property near the junction of Highway 200 and 1st Street. Preliminarily approved Blackfoot Crossing Subdivision, Lots 23, 24, 25, 26, and 27 are proposed to be zoned Commercial Center (CC); other zoning districts that may be considered for adoption for these lots are Neighborhood Commercial (NC) and Industrial Center Light (ICL). The developer has indicated that a travel plaza is intended for this area, and rezoning to Commercial Center (CC) would permit other retail, service, food and beverage, motel and office uses.
• Establish Neighborhood Center zoning that allows a broad range of housing, retail and office use. Proposed Blackfoot Crossing Riverfront Subdivision, Lots 5, 6, 7 and 8 are proposed to be zoned as Neighborhood Center (NC). This zone would establish a minimum density of eight units per acre and limit maximum building footprint and height. The developer's proposed housing development includes smaller, neighborhood-scale options: single-family homes on small lots, duplexes, triplexes, quadplexes, townhomes, and potentially larger units with six to eight homes.
• Rezone Common areas CA2 and CA4 as Resource and Open Lands (RO). These areas are intended to provide utility easements and increase access to nearby public lands.

The northeastern corner of the property (CA5) would remain unchanged, with a zoning designation of Agricultural Working Lands (AGW-40).

A full list of permitted uses by zone is available in Section 2.4, Chapter 2 of the County Zoning Regulations.

Minor Subdivision: This proposal also includes a five-lot minor subdivision called Blackfoot Crossing Riverfront. The subdivision is proposed in four phases over the next eight years. Each phase must function on its own, meaning roads, sidewalks, water, sewer, fire protection and stormwater systems are built as the project grows—not left for later.

Much of the land along the Blackfoot River is proposed to remain undeveloped as common area open space. Easements for a future public, non-motorized trail in the common area next to the river connect Milltown State Park, nearby neighborhoods and nearby public lands.

New roads would connect to Cowboy Trail and West Riverside Drive, with sidewalks on both sides and a bike- and pedestrian-friendly design. Traffic studies indicate that a future roundabout and intersection upgrades are planned when growth warrants them.

The site has been disturbed by past industrial use. Studies found no significant impacts on agriculture, limited wildlife habitat in developed areas, and no considerable groundwater or flood risks in the proposed building areas. Sensitive slopes and river-adjacent land are set aside as open space. Stormwater will be captured and infiltrated on-site, preventing runoff from flowing into the river.

The developer plans to create a new public water and sewer system to serve the new development and may also expand it to serve the surrounding area. The surrounding West Riverside community would not be required to connect to these systems; however, the systems will be designed to support future expansion into surrounding areas.

The proposed water supply wells must be permitted by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) as Public Water Supply sources. The wastewater treatment facility, a membrane bioreactor (MBR) system, has been submitted for DEQ permitting but has not yet been approved.

Additional information about the subdivision is provided in the links on the right side of this page.

Project Timeline:

Tuesday, Jan. 20, 6 p.m.: Missoula Consolidated Planning Board Meeting (Growth Policy Amendment and Rezoning)

• In-person location: 200 W. Broadway, Missoula County Courthouse, Sophie Moiese Room
• Virtual option: Residents can attend the meeting via Microsoft Teams. To join the meeting on your device, follow the links on the agenda that will be published on the Missoula County’s public meeting portal.

Thursday, March 5, 2 p.m.: County Commissioners’ Public Meeting (Growth Policy Amendment, Rezoning, and Minor Subdivision)

• In-person location: 200 W. Broadway, Missoula County Courthouse, Sophie Moiese Room
• Virtual option: Residents can attend the meeting via Microsoft Teams. To join the meeting on your device, follow the links on the agenda that will be published on the Missoula County’s public meeting portal.

Thursday, March 12, 2 p.m.: County Commissioners’ Public Meeting (Growth Policy Amendment, Rezoning, and Minor Subdivision)

• In-person location: 200 W. Broadway, Missoula County Courthouse, Sophie Moiese Room
• Virtual option: Residents can attend the meeting via Microsoft Teams. To join the meeting on your device, follow the links on the agenda that will be published on the Missoula County’s public meeting portal.
  

Project Lead:

Kathleen Arthur, 406-258-3429

Ian Varley, 406-258-4653

Jennie Dixon, 406-258-4946

Important Links and Documents:

Growth Policy Amendment Request

Zoning Amendment Application

Blackfoot Crossing Riverfront Public Notice

Blackfoot Crossing Riverfront Subdivision Application

Application for Governing Body Review

Final Staff Report

For more supporting documents, follow this link, and go to the Blackfoot Crossing Riverfront Project folder under Important Documents on the right-hand side.

Public Comment:

Submit public comment by using the comment tool below.