Elk Valley Ranch Subdivision in Frenchtown

Elk Valley Ranch is a 14-lot residential subdivision in Frenchtown located on a 32-acre tract at 23968 Frenchtown Frontage Road proposed by JLL Investments LLC and represented by IMEG. This property is currently vacant with some agricultural use and a billboard on site. Development surrounding the property is residential and agricultural, with the Frenchtown Frontage Road and Interstate 90 bordering the property to the south.

The lots will be served by individual septic systems and private wells, and the subdivision will be accessed by the two unnamed approaches off Frenchtown Frontage Road that are generally east of Calamity Lane and west of Conniption Road. Other than these two approaches, there will be a “no-access strip” on the southern property boundary along Frenchtown Frontage Road to minimize visual impacts and safety hazards.

This area is unzoned, and though designated as “Open and Resource Space” in the 2002 Regional Land Use Guide, it is also located in the Huson Activity Center, which supports residences of up to two dwellings per acre in areas next to Frenchtown and Huson. Keeping this in mind, the developers are proposing “allowable build zones” to minimize adverse impacts of residential development on adjacent agricultural areas, and to create a wildlife buffer. This is also like other land uses in the area.

The property is not located in any floodplain, and the northwest corner of the property has land with slopes greater than 25%, which will be designated as “no build” zones.

Read the developer’s proposal in the Documents section.

The Missoula Consolidated Planning Board heard this proposal and recommended it for approval on Sept. 19.

The Missoula County commissioners approved this proposal on Oct. 5. Watch the meeting on the County's YouTube channel.