‘It deserves to be protected’: Frenchtown residents debate zoning

Frenchtown residents last week made the case for and against citizen-proposed zoning in the area north of Interstate 90 near the interchange where Town Pump plans to build a travel plaza. 

The zoning was proposed in part to block the proposed travel plaza, but it’s possible the project could go forward regardless, county officials said during the meeting April 30. Town Pump has submitted a permit application and requested that the county determine it has a vested right to continue the project, even if the zoning is approved.   

The Missoula County Planning and Zoning Commission — which includes the county commissioners, the public works director, the county clerk/recorder and a citizen member — held a public hearing April 30 on the zoning proposal. The hearing will continue Tuesday, May 12.  

In February, Keeping Frenchtown, a community nonprofit, submitted a zoning proposal encompassing about 400 acres. The group proposed that most of the land be zoned to allow one house per 5 acres, one house per acre on about 14 acres around existing development in the middle of the area and for light industrial use on 7 acres along Belker Lane and Frenchtown Frontage Road. Town Pump’s planned travel plaza just east of Frenchtown High School wouldn’t be allowed under the proposed zoning. 

Jennie Dixon, a county planner, said the staff recommended approving Keeping Frenchtown’s initial proposal because it generally complies with the adopted comprehensive plan for the area and would prevent potential impacts to public health and safety. 

Supporters said the zoning is necessary to guide appropriate development in the area and to address health and safety concerns posed by a travel plaza in that location. 

Frenchtown Schools Superintendent Les Meyer said traffic is already heavy in that area, especially in the morning, and any additional development will likely cause more accidents. 

Resident Sierra Futch said she helped start the zoning initiative because of concerns for her children’s safety if the Town Pump developed adjacent to their property. Futch said she would have similar concerns about a gravel pit or other large commercial development. 

“Why is it fair for a community for big commercial to be able to force themselves in and endanger and alter the entire community?” she said. “Frenchtown is an amazing community filled with wonderful people, and it deserves to be protected.” 

Other landowners opposed to the zoning proposal said that, while they don’t want the travel plaza in that area and are not opposed to zoning, the proposal would take away their ability to develop as planned. 

John West said he owns two lots with duplexes off Belker Lane that his family purchased with the intent of eventually developing them into professional offices. 

“I don’t want the gas station, I don’t want it at all,” he said. “But on the other hand, this zoning takes money, future money from my children and possibly my children’s children.” 

Dan Manson, chief legal counsel for Town Pump, said he’s concerned the signatures for the zoning petition weren’t counted properly because joint owners of a property, like a husband and wife, each got one vote, while the owner of multiple properties only had one vote. 

Manson said commercial zoning is appropriate for Town Pump’s property, which is adjacent to the I-90 interchange. While the company is not opposed to zoning under a normal process, citizen-initiated zoning that would block commercial use on a wide swath of properties where it would be appropriate “doesn’t seem like a fair way to try and stop a project,” he said. 

The hearing will continue during the commissioner’s meeting at 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 12, in the Sophie Moiese Room of the Missoula County Courthouse. The public can also join the meeting online.