Grass Valley Gardens Planned Unit Development (PUD) Subdivision in the Wye
Let us know your thoughts or questions about the Grass Valley Gardens PUD Subdivision in the Wye area by Thursday, Aug. 8.
Missoula County has received a request from Grass Valley Gardens to subdivide 187.46 acres into 218 residential lots, and seven commercial lots and one large lot reserved for future development. The subdivision is located south of Highway 10 W. and west of Deschamps Lane at 9029 Highway 10 W. near the Wye. This project is located in the Wye 2 Targeted Economic Development District.
The project is planned to take place over four phases: Phase 1 with six commercial lots and 51 residential lots filed in 2027; Phase 2 with one commercial lot and 54 residential lots filed in 2030; Phase 3 with 59 residential lots filed in 2033; and Phase 4 with 54 residential lots and the large lot reserved for future development filed in 2036. The area devoted to Phases 1 through 4 encompasses approximately 66 acres.
The subdivision is proposed as a PUD Subdivision. If it is supported by other agencies and approved by the county commissioners, this would allow some requirements, such as those related to block length, roads and pedestrian walkways, to be waived or modified. This would allow design flexibility to cluster development in a way that responds to the natural characteristics of the site and provide usable recreation areas and trails. It would also be designed to promote a mixture of land uses and reduce infrastructure costs, such as roads, sewer, water and pedestrian walkways. For example, in this proposed PUD, the subdivider is planning to include a range of housing types to allow for homeownership and aging-in-place opportunities. These include single-family homes, condos, townhomes, cottages and apartments, as well as a gathering spot with a variety of food and beverage options and “agrihood,” to include food production and community gardens onsite.
View the full subdivision application by visiting the “important links” section on the right-hand side.
The Missoula City-County Consolidated Planning Board will hear this item at its meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 16, in the Sophie Moiese Room of the Missoula County Courthouse Annex, 200 W. Broadway. You can also join the meeting over the phone by calling 406-272-4824, conference ID 127 489 322#, or via Microsoft Teams. Find the agenda and link to join at http://missoula.co/planningboard
The Missoula County commissioners will hear this item at their meeting at 2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 8, in the Sophie Moiese Room of the Missoula County Courthouse Annex, 200 W. Broadway. You can also join the meeting over the phone by calling 406-272-4824, conference ID 467 457 758#, or via Microsoft Teams. Find the agenda and link to join at http://missoula.co/bccmeetings.
Who's Listening
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Phone 406-258-4946 Email jdixon@missoulacounty.us
If we want to curb escalating housing costs, we have to increase the supply of housing. This development is thoughtful in its approach to designing a neighborhood around agriculture and community, while keeping the housing prices attainable. It is donating acreage to Frenchtown school district as well.
Missoula has been growing for years now. It is inevitable that, that growth heads to the west. The south hills are already over run and heading for Lolo. The east and north have been bought by the property owners in Missoula city limits, and closed. So who cares if there isn't enough water to go around. Too many septic's, too many wells, is a recipe for failure. It's time for the county "commissioners" to step up and tell us where all this water is going to come from, and where it's going to go. Missoula's Aquifer is not endless.
The Wye does not need this! The county is ruining Missoula one “plan” at a time! Leave the country/farm land ALONE! Missoula has enough housing! It’s not affordable because people think their property/rentals are worth a mint! So many rentals and houses that are vacant! Missoula county is just driving out the locals and making way for people coming from out of state that are willing to pay ridiculous prices and live in the “country”! Stop!
I am against this development because anyone who has done water well testing in this area knows a development that size can’t be sustained by local water resources. The wells that exist currently run super deep and water pressure for current residents has already been reduced by new full size lot homes going in. I suggest having a water well expert do testing to support my claims and to weigh in on a development of this size with this many homes. Water in this area has long been known to be scarce. Privatized water rights should be taken into account. Cost of water bills should be considered. As more homes go in, will the price of water increase while availability decrease?
I am thrilled about the new residential development in Missoula. It’s refreshing to see a solution to our housing issues that embraces community, diversity, and sustainability. The concept of multi generational living and varying income tears coexisting is fantastic. The inclusion of community gardens and ample living space creates a sense of togetherness and connection that is often missing in modern developments. Personally, I can’t wait for the chance to be a part of such an innovative and exclusive community. This project is a step in the right direction and Missoula‘s future, offering both practical solutions and enhanced quality of life.
This has got to be the most short sighted thing Missoula has ever done. Let's put another huge housing problem right on a rail road, and right under the traffic patter for the airport. We will be having people protesting the airport and wanting it shut down as soon as they move in. Missoula has some problems with its short sightedness, but this has to be one of the worse I have ever seen!
My primary concern for any and all growth in the west valley is school space. Hellgate, DeSmet and Frenchtown are all at or nearing dire capacity. The existing community has shown there is not support for funding to make improvements to current campuses, much less buying land and building new campuses. What is the Missoula County plan for continuing to educate children as Missoula County fills in, especially as housing goes in beyond the boundaries of MCPS?
218 residential lots, so does that mean since the zoning was changed to 10-12 homes per acre this equates to (218 x 10) 2180 homes?
I am against this subdivision for many reasons. The Frenchtown School district failed to pass a much needed levy. There is literally no heat in some of the classrooms. Adding more kids to an already over-crowded and over-burdened school is a mistake. I do realize there are "plans" to build a school in the future with this development, but it will take time and it does not show what phase the new school will be in.
I am opposed to this subdivision because the traffic on Hiway 93 North is horrible. It took me 12 minutes to try and get across Hiway 93 to go north on 93 from I-90 west. Adding 4. 2 trips per home will make this dangerous and will create huge traffic issues.
I am opposed to this subdivision because the homes are shoved into the development like sardines. The same developer built homes in East Missoula that are in a cluster development. They are 500 square feet and rent for $1400 per month.
I am opposed to this development because the infrastructure is not in place to support this growth, The TEDD 2 and TEDD at the Wye will take time to process, this development should be ON HOLD until the infrastructure is in place to support it. It is not in place as we speak and this is a dangerous precedent.
I am opposed to this development because it is not indicative of the rural feel of the area. Residents in the West Valley DO NOT want a "small city" at the Wye.
I am opposed to this development because the density is in my opinion unrealistic. I can't fathom 8-12 homes per acre in this area.
The developer will continue this type of development on the 187 acres adjacent to this 45 acre piece. It will effectively ruin the feel and the landscape of this area and I am adamately opposed to it.
Ag land is disappearing, once the land it clustered with homes, it is gone forever. I do not want to see that happen and feel this subdivision does not fit in this area. I drive by the Hayden Homes subdivision and it looks like a war zone. It is extremely unattractive and this will be worse because at this point it is double the amount of homes.
I have looked at the subdivisions the commissioners have passed and they have approved every subdivision that has crossed their desks. Unfortunately, even with strong opposition, this one will likely pass. Once again, if that is the mark the commissioners and planners and the develops want to leave..... Very unfortunate. I have lived in Montana my entire life. I moved to Frenchtown in 1984. It has changed and quite honestly, the changes are driving me to move.
Will funding include needed improvements to Wye infrastructure? It should! Traffic is already deadly in that area!