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Town Pump purchasing 35 acres in Frenchtown; residents concerned
Griffen Smith Jun 26, 2025 1
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One of Montana's largest gas station companies is purchasing 35 acres of land in Frenchtown with plans to build a convenience store, but residents are concerned the development will disrupt the town.
Town Pump, based in Butte, has purchased 25 acres of land on the north side of the Interstate 90 interchange and is planning to secure an adjacent 10 acres next door, according to Bill McGladdery, a Town Pump spokesperson.
McGladdery told the Missoulian on Wednesday the company is planning to build a convenience store in the area, not a large truck stop, he said in reference to worries from community members he's been hearing.
Town Pump Frenchtown purchase
Town Pump, based in Butte, has purchased 25 acres of land on the north side of the Interstate 90 interchange and is planning to secure an adjacent 10 acres next door.
Provided by Sierra Futch
"There is concern that we are building a truck stop similar to Bonner or the Wye," McGladdery said in a phone call. "That is not happening."
McGladdery said there could be opportunity to develop another part of the site in the future. He cited the possibility of building a hotel, but he said the company has no additional plans for now.
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The concern over the purchase sparked a letter on Tuesday from the Missoula County commissioners acknowledging resident frustration, but they ultimately said they cannot stop the project because of a lack of zoning in the area.
More than 1,700 people have signed a petition opposed to the development, arguing increased traffic from the site will affect families going to nearby schools and not improve the town.
Sierra Futch, who lives next door to the development, questioned why Town Pump needed so much land for a convenience store. She said other large truck stops, like in Bonner, use fewer than 30 acres.
"To put something like that in an area that has been agricultural and residential, it just doesn't jive with their story of a small convenience store," Futch said.
She said there are other gas stations and local businesses nearby that already provide services like Town Pump.
The Missoula County commissioners wrote in its letter that since there is no zoning in the areas, no public meeting is required to approve the development, and denying it could be in violation of state law.
"If a development checks all the regulatory boxes, the County cannot legally deny it, even if it's unpopular with area residents," the letter read. "Doing so would risk costly lawsuits the County would have to defend with taxpayer money."
The county recommended residents work with their local community council to see if adding zoning regulations could protect some parts of Frenchtown that are more agricultural.
There is no timeline for the new Town Pump construction, according to McGladdery. Once the company secures proper permits, it can start building on the land.
McGladdry said Town Pump will continue sharing information on the project with nearby residents and said Town Pump has been a community partner in other towns.
"People can look at other communities that we are in and see what we do," McGladdery said. "We have been good neighbors."
Town Pump owns dozens of gas stations and car washes. It also owns 14 hotels in Montana and two in Idaho.
Griffen Smith is the local government reporter for the Missoulian.
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