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TO: Missoula City Council Plat, Annexation, and Zoning Committee (PAZ) FROM: Missoula Greater Downtown Master Plan Steering Committee DATE: August 19, 2009 RE: Update on Missoula Greater Downtown Master Plan for PAZ Committee The purpose of this memo is to update Missoula City Council and the PAZ Committee on our progress on the issues raised at the July 27, 2009 City Council Meeting Public Hearing for adoption of the Missoula Greater Downtown Master Plan. Following, we address each issue that was brought to our attention at the Public Hearing and, where appropriate, we offer a solution for your consideration. Study Area Boundary The study area boundary was developed at the very beginning of the Master Plan process and was selected based on many factors. Three (although there are many more) important reasons for our selection of the boundary include 1) capturing the gateways into downtown, 2) neighborhood protection, especially on the fringe areas of the commercial districts, and 3) historic downtown boundary definitions from the Missoula Redevelopment Agency and Business Improvement District among others. Proposed Action by City Council: None - We stand behind the boundary area as is and propose no changes. Southside Neighborhood/South Higgins Since the City Council meeting of July 27th, our Steering Committee has 1) met with several of the neighborhood members who spoke against the Master Plan in order to further delve into their concerns, 2) consulted with the Master Plan prime consultants, Crandall Arambula PC, on their use of the Southside Neighborhood Plan in the creation of the Master Plan confirming that it was indeed used as the Master Plan was developed, and 3) studied the impact the Master Plan would have on the zoning, building heights, or density issues on the southside. Based on the results of these activities, we offer the following proposed change: Proposed Action by City Council: We ask that you add the following to page 30 – Hip Strip (new language in italics): Development sites of a quarter acre or larger should be developed at a higher residential density as permitted by zoning. ---PAGE BREAK--- Broadway Corridor Plan The Master Plan Steering Committee does not support West Broadway returning to its former self. However, all plans and studies on the corridor (including the West Broadway Corridor Plan) suggest that it may need to be a four-lane road in the future. Although we feel that the Master Plan does a more than adequate job in stating that a future four-lane road will incorporate amenities for bikes, pedestrians, motorized vehicles, business access, and safe road crossings, we offer the following language solution to the Master Plan to reiterate that message. Proposed Action by City Council: Change the wording on page 66 – Major Automobile and Truck Streets to (new language in italics): Once conditions require and funding is available, design Broadway as a four-lane street between Russell and Van Buren streets with context sensitive best practices and public involvement to ensure that the pedestrian, bike, auto, and business constituents are included in the planning, design, and construction of the improvements. Old Sawmill District The representatives from the Old Sawmill District expressed some concerns on July 27th. The Steering Committee has had several conversations with them since the meeting, including one in person, and offer the following mutually agreed to solution: Proposed Action by City Council: We ask that you add the following language at the end of Page 26 – Sawmill District (Mill Site)(new language in italics): For purposes of the Missoula Greater Downtown Master Plan, the Mill Site Special Zoning District implements the neighborhood vision and is the controlling document for all policy decisions, including, without limitation, land use and public funding. Any future change to the Mill Site Special Zoning District would be considered in the context of the Missoula Greater Downtown Master Plan. Historic Preservation Commission Since our last visit to City Council, the Steering Committee has continued to discuss the Master Plan with interested groups and individuals. One such group is the Historic Preservation Commission. On Thursday, August 6th, we received the Historic Preservation Commission’s endorsement of the Missoula Greater Downtown Master Plan and its adoption into the City of Missoula Growth Policy. However, they have asked us to propose some additional language to the Master Plan that our committee endorses. The proposed language is: Proposed Action by City Council: We proposed the following changes to Page 31 – Neighborhood Protection (new language in italics): ---PAGE BREAK--- Historic Preservation Preservation of buildings and development patterns characteristic of Missoula’s downtown neighborhoods is critical to maintaining the local community identity. Rehabilitation of Missoula’s historic resources is sustainable development and supports heritage tourism. Historic preservation creates jobs and saves resources. The City’s Historic Preservation Commission is the guiding body charged with evaluating and protecting downtown historic resources. Historic preservation efforts should: • Encourage a partnership between the City and the Historic Preservation Commission to create a comprehensive historic preservation incentive program, including technical assistance, marketing, stream-lined rehabilitation development review, funding assistance, and a list of eligibility requirements for qualifying buildings or districts. Consider creation of an adaptive reuse ordinance to help preserve significant historic structures. Work with historic neighborhoods to develop design guidelines that are based in historic development patterns. Develop strategies for new development that protect historic resources. The Steering Committee is confident we have addressed all concerns brought forward on July 27th and in previous public forums. Although it may be unrealistic to assume that everyone will completely agree on the Master Plan and all its contents, there should be no doubt that this is the Master Plan of the community at large. We ask that you adopt the Missoula Greater Downtown Master Plan with the recommended changes above and incorporate the plan into the City of Missoula Growth Policy. Missoula Greater Downtown Master Plan Steering Committee: Anne Guest Linda McCarthy Chad DeLong Lynn Redding Manning Matt Ellis Dale Bickell Melissa Schmitt Dan Cederberg Mike Barton Dave Strohmaier Rod Austin Ellen Buchanan Roger Millar Ellie Hill Rosalie Cates Jason Wiener Steve Adler John Horner Steve King Kim Johns Theresa Cox Virginia Iverson ---PAGE BREAK---