Missoula County Zoning Code Update Audit Report November

Missoula County Zoning Code Update Audit Report November 2019 Community and Planning Services

What is a Zoning Code Audit? Why do one?

CORE RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Align zoning with community values 2. Correct zoning misalignment between city and county 3. Incentivize density, where appropriate 4. Overhaul design standards to promote quality development 5. Update code reorganization and formatting 6. Create unified code and enhance enforcement tools www. mczoningupdate. com

Key Findings • Address compatibility issues and infrastructure availability in citycounty fringe • Revise pyramidal zoning to allow targeted mix of uses and reflect core values • Provide more choice and variety in housing types • Integrate standards for access to and design of park and open space amenities

Key Findings • Revise ineffective, rarely-used cluster development regulations • Overhaul agricultural districts • Develop design standards for environmentally sensitive, hazardous, and natural areas

Key Findings • Revise outdated, disproportionate site design standards (e. g. parking, landscaping, signs) • Develop design standards for short-term rentals and “tiny” home developments • Create complete communities (e. g. pedestrian infrastructure, mixture of uses, etc. )

• Revise special districts to reflect best practice (e. g. shopping center, mobile home, PUD and planned variation) • Address emerging trends, like energy efficiency and telecommunications Key Findings • Enable consistent application of procedures, code requirements and enforcement • Revise format to improve readerfriendliness

• Parks, trails, passive recreation and open space amenities permitted by right in all districts Options for Integration • Include trail (both motorized and nonmotorized) and greenway design standards in mobility requirements (by district or holistically), to promote consistency in future development applications • Integrate County Parks and Trails Master Plan recommendations regarding park design standards into the zoning code • Consider district priorities for land dedication (underserved areas) vs. cash-in-lieu for park amenities – how might the zoning encourage, or at least not negatively impact, these priorities? Integrate in development requirements