Frenchtown Interchange Zoning Initiative

Share Frenchtown Interchange Zoning Initiative on Facebook Share Frenchtown Interchange Zoning Initiative on Twitter Share Frenchtown Interchange Zoning Initiative on Linkedin Email Frenchtown Interchange Zoning Initiative link

The county commissioners approved the Frenchtown Interchange Zoning Initative to zone approximately 397 acres at their May 28 public hearing meeting.  

Update as of 5/12/2026: County commissioners did not make a decision at their May 12 public hearing meeting. 

This project will be heard again at 2 p.m., Thursday, May 28 public hearing meeting. Residents are welcome to attend this meeting in-person and virtually.

  • In-person location: Sophie Moiese Room, Missoula County Courthouse, 200 W. Broadway, Missoula
  • Virtual option: Residents can attend the meeting virtually by accessing the meeting agenda and Microsoft Teams information online. To join the call on your phone, call 406-272-4824, Conference ID 446 982 016#.



Project Background:  

Nonprofit organization Keeping Frenchtown has submitted a zoning amendment application requesting to zone approximately 567 acres located at the north end of the Frenchtown Freeway Interchange, Exit 89 (see map). 

The application states that the proposed zoning is intended to protect the existing neighborhood character that is primarily agricultural, rural residential and commercial/light industrial. This area is currently unzoned, meaning there are no zoning restrictions for how landowners can use their property.  

If approved, the land would be zoned the following combination:  

  • Agricultural, Rural Residential (AGRR-5): Allows residential development on 5-acre tracts. 

  • Agricultural, Rural Residential (AGRR-10): Allows residential development on 10-acre tracts. 

  • Rural Residential and Small Agricultural (RRS-1): Allows residential development on 1-acre tracts. 

  • Industrial Center Light (ICL): Allows for light industrial, artisan and limited commercial activities with minimal off-site impacts 

In addition, the application also proposes to allow for two dwellings, including duplexes, on existing tracts in the RRS-1 Subdistrict, as long as all other state and local regulations are followed. All other rules in the Missoula County Zoning Regulations would apply to this planning and zoning district, including a buffer around Mill Creek to protect riparian resources.  

This application will be reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Commission and the county commissioners.  

If a petition signed by at least 60% of the affected property owners is confirmed, the Planning & Zoning Commission and the Board of County Commissioners may apply the proposed zoning. If approved, the land would be zoned as:  

  • A 160-acre tract on the north end is proposed for Agricultural, Rural Residential (AGRR-10) (blue) 

  • Fourteen tracts in the area of Belker Lane, Garrard Lane and Sara Jo Lane are proposed for Rural Residential and Small Agricultural (RRS-1) (red). The proposed zoning allows an exception to permit two dwellings on existing tracts in this subdistrict.  

  • Four tracts along Belker Lane and Frenchtown Frontage Road are proposed for Light Industrial (purple)  

  • Remaining lands are proposed for Agricultural, Rural Residential (AGRR5) (yellow) 



 

Project Timeline:  

Thursday, April 30, 2 p.m.: Missoula Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting and Board of County Commissioners Meeting 

  • 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 Missoula County’s public meeting portal.  


Tuesday, May 12, 2 p.m.: County commissioners' special public meeting 

  • 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 Missoula County’s public meeting portal.  


Thursday, May 28, 2 p.m.: County commissioners' special public meeting 

  • 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 Missoula County’s public meeting portal.  


Project Lead:  

Jennie Dixon, 406-258-4946  


Public Comment:  

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


Important Links and Documents:  

Frenchtown Interchange Zoning Application 

Frenchtown Interchange Zoning Application Cover Letter 

Frenchtown Interchange Zoning Application Map 

Missoula County Zoning Regulations  

Authorized uses in proposed zoning districts pg. 108  

Update as of 5/12/2026: County commissioners did not make a decision at their May 12 public hearing meeting. 

This project will be heard again at 2 p.m., Thursday, May 28 public hearing meeting. Residents are welcome to attend this meeting in-person and virtually.

  • In-person location: Sophie Moiese Room, Missoula County Courthouse, 200 W. Broadway, Missoula
  • Virtual option: Residents can attend the meeting virtually by accessing the meeting agenda and Microsoft Teams information online. To join the call on your phone, call 406-272-4824, Conference ID 446 982 016#.



Project Background:  

Nonprofit organization Keeping Frenchtown has submitted a zoning amendment application requesting to zone approximately 567 acres located at the north end of the Frenchtown Freeway Interchange, Exit 89 (see map). 

The application states that the proposed zoning is intended to protect the existing neighborhood character that is primarily agricultural, rural residential and commercial/light industrial. This area is currently unzoned, meaning there are no zoning restrictions for how landowners can use their property.  

If approved, the land would be zoned the following combination:  

  • Agricultural, Rural Residential (AGRR-5): Allows residential development on 5-acre tracts. 

  • Agricultural, Rural Residential (AGRR-10): Allows residential development on 10-acre tracts. 

  • Rural Residential and Small Agricultural (RRS-1): Allows residential development on 1-acre tracts. 

  • Industrial Center Light (ICL): Allows for light industrial, artisan and limited commercial activities with minimal off-site impacts 

In addition, the application also proposes to allow for two dwellings, including duplexes, on existing tracts in the RRS-1 Subdistrict, as long as all other state and local regulations are followed. All other rules in the Missoula County Zoning Regulations would apply to this planning and zoning district, including a buffer around Mill Creek to protect riparian resources.  

This application will be reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Commission and the county commissioners.  

If a petition signed by at least 60% of the affected property owners is confirmed, the Planning & Zoning Commission and the Board of County Commissioners may apply the proposed zoning. If approved, the land would be zoned as:  

  • A 160-acre tract on the north end is proposed for Agricultural, Rural Residential (AGRR-10) (blue) 

  • Fourteen tracts in the area of Belker Lane, Garrard Lane and Sara Jo Lane are proposed for Rural Residential and Small Agricultural (RRS-1) (red). The proposed zoning allows an exception to permit two dwellings on existing tracts in this subdistrict.  

  • Four tracts along Belker Lane and Frenchtown Frontage Road are proposed for Light Industrial (purple)  

  • Remaining lands are proposed for Agricultural, Rural Residential (AGRR5) (yellow) 



 

Project Timeline:  

Thursday, April 30, 2 p.m.: Missoula Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting and Board of County Commissioners Meeting 

  • 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 Missoula County’s public meeting portal.  


Tuesday, May 12, 2 p.m.: County commissioners' special public meeting 

  • 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 Missoula County’s public meeting portal.  


Thursday, May 28, 2 p.m.: County commissioners' special public meeting 

  • 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 Missoula County’s public meeting portal.  


Project Lead:  

Jennie Dixon, 406-258-4946  


Public Comment:  

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


Important Links and Documents:  

Frenchtown Interchange Zoning Application 

Frenchtown Interchange Zoning Application Cover Letter 

Frenchtown Interchange Zoning Application Map 

Missoula County Zoning Regulations  

Authorized uses in proposed zoning districts pg. 108  

The county commissioners approved the Frenchtown Interchange Zoning Initative to zone approximately 397 acres at their May 28 public hearing meeting.  

We will try to respond within five business days.