Lodestone Pizza Variance Request (Wye)
Overview
Lodestone Pizza is requesting to continue operating their mobile solid fuel burning pizza oven during the winter months, which is currently not allowed under the Air Pollution Control Program Rules. Lodestone, which operates a food truck at 8700 Truck Stop Road in the Wye, is requesting a variance from these rules to operate November through February.
The Air Pollution Control Program Rules, overseen by the Air Pollution Control Board, was established to limit air pollution in Missoula’s most densely populated areas.
These rules outline solid fuel burning device installation requirements, set outdoor burning rules and mandate paving to limit the amount of air pollution in the air. Inhalation of particulates have been known to cause negative health outcomes in people. The Missoula Air Stagnation Zone, pictured below, is especially susceptible to higher levels of particulates from residential wood burning and other air pollution sources during winter months due to the area’s mountain valley topography and winter temperature inversions that trap pollution near the valley floor.
Project Background
In 2014, the Air Pollution Control Board approved a rule change allowing food establishments to use solid fuel burning devices that otherwise would not be allowed as long as they did not operate in the winter months. Wood stoves and other solid fuel burning devices (except pellet stoves) cannot be installed anywhere in the Missoula Air Stagnation Zone except in a mobile food service establishment.
Throughout the years, several food vendors have wanted to open a wood-fired pizza business in Missoula County but were unable to obtain approval. Prior to implementation of Rule 9.203(1)(c)(iii) in 2014, the Air Quality Advisory Council (a volunteer council of local experts and citizens-at-large) was approached in 2011 about creating an exception in the Air Rules to allow the installation of a specific wood-fired pizza oven within the City of Missoula. The Air Council declined to recommend a rule change because they determined that acceptable gas-fired alternative ovens were available; this is in line with how similar requests were addressed.
The Air Quality Advisory Council subcommittee stated they would consider granting an exception to the Air Pollution Control Program Rules if the business owner could present emissions data for a wood-fired oven that complied with the Air Rules.
Project Timeline
Wednesday, Sept. 17: Deadline to submit public comments
Thursday, Sept. 18, 12:15 p.m.: Air Quality Advisory Council Meeting
- In-person location: Health Board Conference Room (Room 210), Missoula Public Health Building, 301 West Alder, Missoula
Virtual option: Residents can attend the meeting via Microsoft Teams. To join the call on your phone, call 406-272-4824, Conference ID 281 119 10#. To join the meeting on your device, follow the links on the agenda that will be published at Missoula City-County Board of Health (BOH) - Missoula Public Health
Public Comment
Use the tool below to submit a public comment. Individuals need to submit their public comment by Sept. 17 for the Air Board hearing that will be held on Sept. 18.
Who's Listening
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Phone 406-258-3642 Email kmueller@missoulacounty.us
Documents
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1_Lodestone Pizza Variance Application_REC 07282025.pdf (85.8 KB) (pdf)
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2_Lodestone Pizza Addl Variance App Info_REC 08122025.pdf (187 KB) (pdf)
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3_Lodestone Pizza SFBD Permit.pdf (510 KB) (pdf)
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4_LicEst Conditions of Operation for Lodestone Pizza.pdf (961 KB) (pdf)
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5_Estimated Emission Rate of a Pizza Oven Equations and Conversions.pdf (263 KB) (pdf)
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6_Map of Lodestone Pizza Location.pdf (236 KB) (pdf)
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7_Air Council Letter for 2011 Pizza Oven Inquiry.pdf (206 KB) (pdf)
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Staff Report for Lodestone Pizza Variance_Version1.pdf (802 KB) (pdf)
Issuing this variance will allow a business to continue thriving and ultimately may have no impact at all on the air quality while the oven is in use, as there’s no hard evidence showing the actual particulate number emitted from this pizza oven. Furthermore, could the county think about other ways to make an impact on air quality rather than restricting this business's stove, such as vehicle emissions testing?
My family eats Lodestone pizza pretty regularly, as it is one of the very few options for food outside of ultra-processed chain restaurants in the area near our neighborhood. While I understand there are gas-fired alternatives, the wood-fired flavor is a massive part of the culinary experience at Lodestone. Furthermore, it feels like typical government oversight to have regulatory concern over cooking a few pizzas in the winter months in an area with 4 semi-truck laden truck stops. Its a little silly, imo. Let's keep local businesses growing in the Wye.
I support the variance being sought by this small, local business. Seriously, we’re concerned about wood smoke pollution at a massive truck stop and gas station complex? Are we low on common sense on these parts?
I support the variance being granted to Lodestone Pizza.
One business should be allowed. A food truck operating a wood fired pizza oven has small impact compared to the value for the community.
Wood fire cooked pizza is THE BEST! what a terrific location this would be, as most likely downdraft winds from evaro canyon would disburse any smoke.
Former long time evaro resident
This a small local business that provides great quality food to an area that lacks options. The wood fire oven is an integral part of this businesses primary product. I support this local business.
Lodestone Pizza is a great local business serving a product that is unique among Missoula's pizza offerings. We should support them in offering a good quality product to an area of Missoula that has little aside from fast food. They should be allowed to operate a wood fired oven all year long.