Squeezing more homes into less space continues to be a struggle for both developers and the Missoula City Council, as backers of two housing projects learned Monday.
"We know density bonuses are going to bring unhappiness to somebody every time they're used," said Ward 4 Councilman Scott Morgan, who chairs the council's Plat, Annexation and Zoning Committee. "And we believe they're good for the city. It's a tough one for us."
About a dozen River Road-area residents spoke about the River Road Estates plan at Monday night's public hearing, roughly divided between those who thought growth was either good or inevitable, and those who thought the area shouldn't have to endure such densely packed developments.
The project would put 17 homes on three acres, in an area where current zoning rules would only allow 12. Developer Mark Twite qualified for a density bonus to get the higher number by agreeing to connect the project to public sewer and ensuring that at least three quarters of the homes would have separate legal descriptions (in other words, be individual homes instead of apartments or multi-unit buildings).
Opponents argued that River Road already was overburdened with traffic between Russell and Reserve streets; the development was out of character with the older, rural-style farm homes; and that a proposed park or contribution to the city's park maintenance fund was inadequate.
No one spoke in opposition to the Gold Dust project, which is being put forward by HomeWORD, a nonprofit Missoula agency dedicated to affordable housing issues. It is proposing to put 18 homes in a vacant lot between the Orange Street Underpass and the new Northside Pedestrian Overpass. Its difficulty came from city staff rules requiring 21 parking spaces, while the developers claimed they had room for just 18, or one per home.
HomeWORD official Ren Essene said the project could add three bike spaces or prohibit three occupants from keeping cars at the site. She said the site's proximity to city services and downtown businesses would make it easy for someone to live there without needing an automobile.
Morgan said while the specific parking issue for Gold Dust was relatively straightforward, its decision could affect many future housing projects with similar parking questions.
Both issues will be on this Wednesday's Plat, Annexation and Zoning Committee agenda. The meeting starts at 10 a.m. in City Hall.
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