Basics MSGC ~ Smart Growth in Montana

SMART GROWTH IN MONTANA
It's news to few that the rural West in the last decade has seen a growth boom, a new land rush. In the first seven years of the decade, the region grew by more than one million people, a fifteen percent increase that was triple the rate for other rural areas in the United States. Many flock to the so-called high amenity areas, where striking landscapes and recreational opportunities provide the draw. With a generation of baby boomers soon looking to retire, along with a young population of its own, the West can expect to see growth continue.

Montana offers an acute example of the impacts of unchecked growth. Ravalli County, for example, nestled between the Bitterroot and Sapphire Ranges and commuting distance from Missoula, has grown nearly 40 percent in the last decade. Between 1990 and 1999, the top 13 counties in Montana grew by more than ten percent, with many counties like Jefferson, Stillwater, Gallatin, and Lake counties growing by more than twenty percent. Most of that growth, however, has been unplanned. Consequently, Montana's rapid growth has been devouring land, water, hometowns, and local revenues.

Even though agricultural land generates more revenue for the state than any other industry, from 1992 to 1997 rapidly growing counties have lost considerable amounts of farm and ranchland. For example, Lewis and Clark County lost 61,413 acres of farmland in that five-year period. Not only is prime farm and ranchland paved over for roads and houses, but it is also fragmented by 2-20 acre ranchettes that become little more than weedlots.

Additionally, with all the talk about economic development, it becomes painfully apparent that unplanned growth has also had an a very negative economic impact on our downtowns and on local Montana businesses. Big Box stores and strip malls depopulate our historic downtowns and put local merchants out of business.

Unplanned growth is also draining the coffers of cities and counties. The cost of providing the services compared to the tax revenue collected is much higher for sprawling residential development than it is for land that has remained in agriculture or open space. For example, in Carbon County for every dollar collected in tax revenues the county spends $1.60 on services for residential property versus only spending 34 cents on the tax dollar for agricultural lands.

Unplanned growth has also lead to a terrible lack of affordable housing in Montana. For example, 47% of Montana renters can't afford the fair market value for rent, which is $483 for a 2-bedroom unit. And over 5,000 families are on the waiting-list for assisted housing.

But Montanans have not watched idly as uncontrolled growth has threatened things they value most. In November of 1998 more than 350 individuals came together for Montana's first growth summit, Big Sky or Big Sprawl. At a follow-up meeting in February of 1999, participants decided that cohesive action was needed and thus the Montana Smart Growth Coalition was formed. MSGC's goal is to develop policies that protect prime farm and ranchland, while meeting affordable housing needs, and preserving and developing Montana's wonderful, livable hometowns and downtowns.

In the last year, we have made some important strides towards preserving Montana's special quality of life including: 1) working with the American Planning Association to complete a landmark study of Montana's planning and land-use laws, 2) creating and lobbying for a package of legislation that will improve current planning, land-use, transportation, and affordable housing laws, and 3) raising public awareness through local forums, the Big Sky or Big Sprawl Conferences, and in the media.