MISSOULA — We could see the city of Missoula using a new zoning tool for the first time on an apartment complex located on Third Street.
City planner Emily Gluckin presented plans to Missoula City Council for the rezoning and adaptive reuse overlay of a historic building at 508 South Third Street West on Monday evening.
The new zoning tool would allow developers to revamp the building while still preserving elements of its historic structure.
The building is currently three stories tall and contains 16 apartments. The developers want to bump the number of units up to 22 and also plan to convert what’s mostly one-bedroom apartments to studio apartments.
Yet, as with any rezoning project there are some concerns.
Our partners at the Missoula Current reportthat neighbors and surrounding businesses worry about parking, as developers are only required to add one new parking space, even though they’re adding six units.
Nevertheless, Gluckin says the project falls in line with Missoula’s growth policy.
"The city growth policy also promotes a focused inward development approach that encourages new growth in the direction of existing infrastructure neighborhood and public services," she explained.
"This can be done through infill increased density and adaptive reuse projects. This approach is also in support of meeting the policy's goals to provide a sufficient supply of housing for growing population within the city," Gluckin told MTN News.
Final consideration and public comment for the project will occur at a special Missoula City Council meeting on Sept. 2.
