Frenchtown Interchange Zoning Initiative

it is clear by the many frenchtown and surrounding area residents who have spoken up and taken action to keep the community as a small town feel and keep the schools safe.....something has to be done to make sure that happens. In the area of concern there are Natural resources that need to be thought of and protected, along with issues in school size, congestion of traffic, public heath safety, and future overgrowth by developments that need to be addressed!!!. There are areas of frenchtown that have asked for zoning years ago........... the planning and growth of frenchtown, huson, alberton, the wye needs to address all the topics of concern for the long haul.... rather than build 1st and ask questions or address problems later

I am a resident of Frenchtown. Key reasons I support this initiative include:
• Public Safety and Traffic Concerns: The interchange and nearby intersections are already challenging, especially with school traffic from Frenchtown Elementary, Middle, and High Schools. A major commercial development nearby would exacerbate congestion, increase crash risks along the memorial bike path used daily by students and families, and strain emergency response. Zoning provides a proactive way to manage growth responsibly.
• Protecting Water Resources: Many residents rely on private wells in an area with known vulnerabilities. Responsible zoning helps safeguard our aquifers from potential contamination or overuse associated with intensive developement.
• Preserving Community Character: Frenchtown is prized for its small-town feel, agricultural roots, and proximity to natural amenities. We support measured growth, but it should reflect local values—not be dictated by out-of-area corporate interests that could introduce issues like increased noise, light pollution, or alcohol/gambling-related concerns near schools.
• Empowering Local Voices: This Type 1 zoning process gives property owners a direct say. Approving it after meeting the 60% signature threshold demonstrates that Missoula County values community-led planning.
This initiative does not halt all development—it guides it intelligently so Frenchtown can grow sustainably while maintaining what makes it special.

I urge you to approve the zoning amendment following proper review and public input.

Thank you for considering the voices of Frenchtown residents and for your stewardship of our county’s future.

I support the zoning effort in Frenchtown. This area is so close to our High School and Middle School and between those schools and our elementary school. A large truck stop would take away our sense of safety for our children and those of us who use our memorial bike path daily. We also have a lot of water issues out here already and a truck stop would make them even worse. The main reason we moved here over 20 years ago was for the small town that we have. Our traffic during the start and end of the school day is already bad, adding a truck stop in this area would back traffic up onto the interstate. We already have two places to get gas here and there are four very large truck stops at the Wye which is only 9 miles away. There is no need for this type of facility here. We need this zoning to be put in place for our safety and the safety of our children.

My greatest concerns with developing off exit 89 is the traffic jams that could be created before and after school and in the evenings. This could also create potential safety concerns for Frenchtown residents and kids. I am also concerned for the water beneath the ground. Every residence in that area access's the water through private wells. If the water ever gets contaminated the negative impact would be felt throughout the community especially with the schools being next door.

Just because Frenchtown has the interstate highway it does not need a truck stop as the center of its business district.

I strongly support this zoning effort for all the reasons previous commenters have stated. Please remember that growth is inevitable in Frenchtown and zoning is one way of allowing current residents to have a voice in determining how that growth will occur. We can either hope for the best while allowing development to occur haphazardly and without constraint, or we can start planning now and help guide Frenchtown to a future we choose for our children and grandchildren.
Larry Shadow

I am strongly in favor of Zoning in this area. As a retired teacher of many years, I am extremely concerned about the safety of our residents, especially our youth. The high school, a very short distance, from the proposed building site, in many ways is the heart of our community. The facility is used for not only classes but activities and community events most of the time. The road and bike path are being used to access it constantly by all town residents many of them children. Having truck stop traffic would be extremely, needlessly hazardous. We need Zoning to protect the our community.

We are definitely in favor of Zoning in the Frenchtown area. We need thoughtful planning for growth. We also need Protection of our Natural Resources. Frenchtown as no access to city water & city sewer. These resources need to be protected from over developers and large scale commercial business's. Once our water is compromised it can not be returned. The proposed zoning area is already mapped as a Protected Water Zone area for our Public Water Source at the Frenchtown Pond. Zoning that area is definitely in the best interest of our community.

SAFETY. One of the most important things for any person and property owner. If any large scale commercial businesses were to be able to go in here, we have crucial water concerns present. The shallow water table will not be protected against contaminants in run-off let alone any fuel spills or leaks. It will travel down into several protected water sources, the Clark Fork River, Mill Creek, Frenchtown Pond, and the Frenchtown District Irrigation Ditch has hydraulic connection to the local, shallow groundwater. Not only is the irrigation ditch itself threatened, but it runs into Edith Creek. There is not a protective layer of clay above this aquifer and the gradient of the aquifer is also very flat, meaning that the groundwater does not flow through the area very quickly and contaminants do not flush through the system very fast. Contaminants would travel right to the school first, and they have had several challenges with water already. Why would we want to put our kids' water and the entire towns water at risk? Without this zoning, there is no way to protect yourself from neighbors that can bring a whole host of challenges. 8 years ago, there was a resident who tried to invite a gravel pit in this area, right next to the Middle and High School. Without zoning, you cannot protect yourself against businesses or industry that residents may try to sell their property too, even if it is to the detriment of the entire community. The school is right here, and this location is between both school campuses. There are traffic challenges currently without adding potential big commercial. Please do not forget that there is a memorial pedestrian path that runs through here and is threatened as well. This path was created due to 2 deaths in our community. Our track kids run on it, as well as cross country and other sports teams. It is traversed daily by kids going to and from school. Can you imagine a sleepy trucker passing over this bike path in 2 locations, hundreds of times daily, and hitting someone on this bike/pedestrian path? What if it was your kid or grandchild? Zoning is not about restrictions, it is about protection and safety. This zoning is desperately needed to protect Frenchtown before accidents happen that are irreversible and have lasting consequences. I am a resident in this zoning area. Thank you so much for hearing us and protecting Frenchtown.

I am strongly in favor of the zoning to this proposed area, and as a property owner just adjacent to this zoning am very grateful for the neighbors who support this initiative. As a lifelong Montanan, this area has always been agricultural and quiet in nature. This is the main reason many residents are drawn to it. This zoning will ensure the current nature of the area, and consequently help to ensure the continued safety, health and well being for ALL the residents of Frenchtown and the surrounding areas. This zoning would absolutely not be hindering growth, but rather ensuring growth is happening in a way that is consistent with the character and safety of our community. Perhaps most importantly, this zoning would also be crucial to preserving our ground and drinking water in an area that is notoriously volatile, and incredibly close to numerous schools and daycares. Please help to keep our community and kids safe and healthy, and approve this zoning measure.

I'm in favor of zoning in the proposed area. This area should remain agricultural and residential in nature to better serve Frenchtown's future growth needs and maintain a safe transportation route to and from school every morning and afternoon.

I am against the zoning initiative as it is proposed. The area in question is within the activity circle. Where is Frenchtown going to grow, if not in that area? I am also concerned about the county getting into a very costly lawsuit, since Town Pump purchased the property as it currently is: Unzoned. They have invested significant resources in land, engineering, and planning. They will have to invest much more to ensure environmental and traffic safety. If Frenchtown residents wanted this area zoned, they should have initiated zoning before development was underway.

I strongly support this zoning initiative. Small towns deserve thoughtful growth that protects what makes them special. Large business brings heavy traffic, increased pollution, and real risks to local water resources, which our community depends on for drinking and agriculture. They also raise safety concerns for our kids with more congestion and long-haul traffic near schools and neighborhoods. Most importantly, they can quickly erode the quiet, close-knit character that defines our small town.

Smart zoning isn’t about stopping progress, it’s about making sure development respects the health, safety, and identity of the community.

Thank you to those in the proposed zone area for your foresight and commitment to protecting our small community and preserving the values our community stands for.

I am a native Montanan who grew up in Frenchtown. It is my hometown. I am in favor of the zoning request that will preserve this area's water, soil, and beauty. I am wholeheartedly against a truck plaza. Muralts is close enough. I urge people to vote on the side of safety, small community, and security. Please pass the zoning request.

I support the Frenchtown Interchange zoning proposal. This area is currently unzoned and Frenchtown does not have the same groundwater protections that apply in other parts of the district, which makes smart zoning even more important here. We need to protect our drinking water, contamination that affects our recreation (Frenchtown Pond) the rural character of our community from incompatible large commercial development. Traffic safely, free space for our children to live and recreate without fear and traffic danger, light pollution, drugs, and all other things that come with large truck stops and their transient traffic. This is not about stopping all growth. It is about making sure growth does not put our water, safety, and way of life at risk. Please approve the zoning proposal and do what the people are asking for.

I support the Frenchtown Interchange zoning proposal. This area is currently unzoned, sits over the Missoula sole source aquifer, and has known groundwater sensitivity. Frenchtown does not have the same groundwater protections that apply in other parts of the district, which makes smart zoning even more important here. I support protecting our drinking water, rural character, and community from incompatible large commercial development. This is not about stopping all growth. It is about making sure growth does not put our water and way of life at risk. Please approve the zoning proposal.

I support the zoning initiative in frenchtown! We live in Frenchtown to keep our community safe, connected and maintaining its character. I know we will see changes to our neighborhood and community but I support it being done in a way that makes it feel safe and open.

The proposed zoning amendment is crucial for preserving the groundwater and aquifer of our community! Not only that but it is critical for keeping our school district and residents safe, healthy, and thriving in the rural environment/quality of life many of us looked for, and enjoy, when moving to/living in the area.
To complete ignore the wishes and requests of the residents and community is foolhardy and without compassionate consideration. To build any large business or high influx structure in this area has the potential for more harm than good. In addition to infrastructure issues this would bring, this also presents problems with the increase of traffic accidents, poor health, and would degrade the quality of our community.

I strongly urge you to please approve the proposed zoning amendment and keep Frenchtown safe and beautiful.

I support smart zoning in Frenchtown. It helps protect what we love about our community—open space, safety, and a small-town feel—while still allowing for thoughtful growth. Good planning now means fewer problems later, and a better place for all of us to live.

I support the Frenchtown community and the zoning initiative for the protection of our water and land. We are working people, farming people, and family people who want safe water and soil and need help keeping our agricultural water sources and household water sources safe.