Missoula County opposes HB 395: Prohibit the creation of new zoning districts during a state of emergency, up for hearing this afternoon in the House Local Government Committee. HB 395 would prohibit the adoption of new zoning districts during a state of emergency and is retroactive to Jan. 1, 2020. The best thing we can do to respond to the way this pandemic has affected growth in our community is to take proactive zoning action, not restrict it. The unique nature of the pandemic has increased growth pressures in Missoula. Home prices are spiking, development demand is soaring, our planning department is as busy as it has been since prior to the Great Recession. Missoula County’s response has been to be proactive by adopting new zoning districts to accommodate development. With broad public support and collaboration, Missoula County recently adopted new zoning that master plans 6,000 new homes, adds new commercial space, a new industrial park and provides incentives for environmental protection. Furthermore, this master plan and zoning helps maximize the investment in infrastructure development stemming from a BUILD grant, local developers’ contributions, and city and county funds. Since adoption of the new plan and zoning code, we have fielded development inquiries from all over the country, and we expect construction on the first developments to begin this spring. With the retroactivity clause, this master planned development would be rescinded under HB 395. This bill would also prevent individual private development requests from moving forward. Missoula County recently approved a new zoning district on a 200-lot subdivision and is about to take action on a second request for a new zoning district on a 70-lot subdivision. These subdivisions and the master planned community are critical to accommodate Missoula County’s development demand and provision of housing and economic opportunity for our residents. Since the pandemic, development demand has only accelerated. Rescinding new zoning districts created by both Missoula County and requested by private developers is the worst possible reaction to the pandemic emergency. Further, this restriction on zoning isn’t limited to the current state of emergency, but going forward would apply during any state of emergency such as flood or fire, regardless of whether or not new zoning has anything to do with it.
Sent Feb. 23:
ReplyDeleteRepresentatives Thane and Whitman,
Missoula County opposes HB 395: Prohibit the creation of new zoning districts during a state of emergency, up for hearing this afternoon in the House Local Government Committee.
HB 395 would prohibit the adoption of new zoning districts during a state of emergency and is retroactive to Jan. 1, 2020. The best thing we can do to respond to the way this pandemic has affected growth in our community is to take proactive zoning action, not restrict it. The unique nature of the pandemic has increased growth pressures in Missoula. Home prices are spiking, development demand is soaring, our planning department is as busy as it has been since prior to the Great Recession. Missoula County’s response has been to be proactive by adopting new zoning districts to accommodate development. With broad public support and collaboration, Missoula County recently adopted new zoning that master plans 6,000 new homes, adds new commercial space, a new industrial park and provides incentives for environmental protection. Furthermore, this master plan and zoning helps maximize the investment in infrastructure development stemming from a BUILD grant, local developers’ contributions, and city and county funds. Since adoption of the new plan and zoning code, we have fielded development inquiries from all over the country, and we expect construction on the first developments to begin this spring. With the retroactivity clause, this master planned development would be rescinded under HB 395.
This bill would also prevent individual private development requests from moving forward. Missoula County recently approved a new zoning district on a 200-lot subdivision and is about to take action on a second request for a new zoning district on a 70-lot subdivision. These subdivisions and the master planned community are critical to accommodate Missoula County’s development demand and provision of housing and economic opportunity for our residents. Since the pandemic, development demand has only accelerated. Rescinding new zoning districts created by both Missoula County and requested by private developers is the worst possible reaction to the pandemic emergency. Further, this restriction on zoning isn’t limited to the current state of emergency, but going forward would apply during any state of emergency such as flood or fire, regardless of whether or not new zoning has anything to do with it.
Please oppose HB 395.