Civic Wrap-up for Oct. 2 to Oct. 8, 2026
Missoula City Council on Monday rewrote the city's definition of a data center, a change staff said closes a loophole that could have let some facilities open without a public hearing. The same ordinance loosened driveway limits so more homes can have three-car garages. At the county, commissioners held a hearing on a $7.3 million plan to fix Lolo's aging water and sewer system, to be paid for in part by a proposed improvement district, and signed an agreement that keeps the South Avenue rebuild on track to go to bid this winter.
City of Missoula
Council adopts code changes and a new data center definition
The City Council voted 10 to 2 on Oct. 5 to adopt a package of amendments to the Unified Development Code, the city's zoning and subdivision rulebook. Councilors Betsy Craske and Kristen Jordan voted no. Planning staff described the nine amendments as clarifications and fixes that bring the code in line with building codes and state law.
The most closely watched change was the definition of a data center. According to the Missoula Current, the old definition depended on how much of a building's floor space held computer equipment, so a facility using less than half its space for servers did not count. The new definition looks at what a facility does. Councilor Justin Ponton's amendment, which set the final wording as "a facility or portion of a facility housing networked computer systems, servers, appliances and/or telecommunications," passed 12 to 0. Planner Cassie Tripard said the change "closes that loophole so they are not allowed across the city without a public hearing." City Attorney Ryan Sudbury told the council, "We need a new definition right now because these things can be built today without this definition," and said the ordinance gives the city time to review the county's data center study and any action by the 2027 Legislature.
Several residents asked the council to slow down. Speakers said the definition was unclear, asked that small local server rooms be treated differently from large hyperscale centers, and urged a pause on data center applications like the one-year moratorium Missoula County adopted in July on new or expanded data centers outside city limits. City staff cautioned that pulling the amendment would leave the older definition in place. Jordan said she would like "a temporary moratorium on any potential data centers until we do a study alongside the county."
On driveways, the council rejected 2 to 10 a proposal by Craske to keep a 25-foot maximum driveway width in all districts. It approved 9 to 3 an amendment from Councilor Mike Nugent that exempts single-car garage driveways up to 12 feet wide and double-car garage driveways up to 24 feet wide from front-yard coverage limits when alley access is not feasible. Craske, Jordan and Councilor Eric Melson voted no. Builders spoke in favor of more flexibility. Local contractor Cy Sirmon, speaking about his own townhome project, told NBC Montana, "Without these driveways, this project would be dead in the water."
Poverello Center contract and other business
The council approved a $211,476 contract with the Poverello Center for the city's Homeless Outreach Team and shelter services in the 2027 fiscal year. The vote was 11 to 1, with Councilor Bob Campbell opposed. On the consent agenda, approved 12 to 0, the council paid $4,623,888.43 in claims and appointed Richard Lasko to the Local Emergency Planning Committee.
During general public comment, five speakers asked the city to cut back on pesticide and herbicide use and to improve public notice when spraying happens. Another speaker questioned public support for the planned Whole Foods development in Midtown.
Coming up
There is no City Council meeting on Monday, Oct. 12. The council's next regular meeting is expected Monday, Oct. 19, at 6 p.m. The Affordable Housing Resident Oversight Committee meets Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 6 p.m., and the City Planning Commission meets Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 6 p.m.
Missoula County Board of County Commissioners
Lolo water and sewer district moves forward
Commissioners held a hearing on Oct. 8 on a resolution of intent to create a rural special improvement district, RSID 8490, to pay for upgrades to Lolo's water and sewer systems. Parts of the system date to the 1960s, according to KPAX. Brent O'Connor, an engineering technician with county Public Works, said the water system "has been out of compliance with the Montana Department of Environmental Quality for several years now." According to the Missoula Current, if Lolo's largest well failed, the two smaller wells would fall 455 gallons per minute short of meeting peak daily demand.
The work would upgrade two of Lolo's three wells, add an emergency generator, and replace a key water main under Highway 93. O'Connor said that main is more than 50 years old, adding, "We have significant concerns of that failing at some point in time." The project would also replace a pump and liner at the wastewater plant.
The project is estimated at $7.3 million. According to the Missoula Current, $1.75 million in federal money is already secured, leaving up to $5.5 million to be collected through the district. According to the county's project page, the proposed base assessment is $3,992.80 per parcel, including $2,294.24 for water and $1,698.56 for sewer, before interest. Properties that share parks or other common areas could pay more, up to $4,436.45. Owners could pay the principal upfront or spread payments over 20 years with interest, and assessments are expected to begin in 2028. The district would cover about 1,390 properties. Commissioner Josh Slotnick said the new system would "last for the lifetime of the folks who are in these houses." One Lolo resident spoke in support, according to KPAX.
KPAX reported that a protest period for affected property owners will run from Oct. 17 to Nov. 20, with a second hearing on Dec. 3. If the district is created, construction would begin next year.
South Avenue agreement signed
The county signed a maintenance agreement with the Montana Department of Transportation for South Avenue, which the commissioners' Oct. 6 agenda describes as a 10-year agreement with a 10-year automatic renewal. Under it, the county will plow the road and maintain sidewalks. Public Works Director Jason Mitchell said the state typically wants such agreements in place for Safe Streets for All projects. The city and county received about $9.3 million in federal money in 2024 to rebuild South Avenue from Reserve Street west to Clements Road with shared-use paths, turn lanes, lighting and safer crossings. The county plans to put the project out to bid this winter, with construction starting next year and a roundabout near Target Range planned for summer 2027.
Other county business
Commissioners approved a reimbursement resolution on Oct. 6 that lets the county repay itself from future borrowing for plumbing repairs at the Detention Center. Staff said the debt and its repayment are built into the 2027 budget. The same meeting's agenda included up to $110,000 for repairs at Homeword's 35-unit Orchard Gardens affordable housing complex, grant paperwork for wastewater improvements at Old Hellgate Village, a $14,714 contract to prepare a federal grant application to replace the Boy Scout Bridge in Seeley Lake, and a contract for public outreach on the county's comprehensive plan update.
The county Treasurer's Office announced it will bring vehicle registration, property tax payments and other services to Lolo, Clinton and Frenchtown. In an update on Friday, Oct. 9, the county said ballots for the Nov. 3 general election were going out to more than 64,000 voters registered to vote absentee.
Coming up
The commissioners' next administrative meeting is Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 10 a.m., and their next public meeting is Thursday, Oct. 22, at 2 p.m. Lolo property owners can file protests on the water and sewer district from Oct. 17 through Nov. 20, ahead of a Dec. 3 hearing where commissioners will consider creating the district.
Around the county
The Consolidated Land Use Board met Oct. 7 to consider a request from Granite Peak RV Resort, 9900 Thoroughbred Lane, to move its fenced storage area to the west side of the property. Staff recommended approval with four conditions. The Bonner-Milltown Community Council meets Monday, Oct. 12, at 7 p.m., and the Tom Green Advisory Group meets Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 6 p.m. at the Pineview Park Pavilion. Missoula Public Health and its partners are surveying residents this month for a community health assessment.
