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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGrowth Policy Framework-171213GROWTH POLICY UPDATE – OVERVIEW An important task before the Planning Board is to create and implement the elements of a growth policy update that will result in a successful project. It will be helpful to focus on the outcomes that we would like to achieve. The following information and questions are intended to begin the process of identifying preferred outcomes. Once we have this understanding, it will be easier to build a process for public engagement and plan development. Why are we updating the Growth Policy now? The Community Plan was updated in 2009. State law requires a community to review its growth policy at least every five years.1 In addition, Chapter 17 of the current Community Plan identifies review triggers, goals and objectives related to a growth policy update and/or amendment. Review triggers include: • Are the community’s goals current and valid? • Have the community conditions or legal framework materially changed? • Where have problems appeared since the last review? • Does the plan meet the current needs of the community? • Can this plan be modified to better serve the needs and desires of the community? With tremendous growth and development, Bozeman has changed considerably since 2009. State law and the existing growth policy triggers require an update to our Growth Policy. Further, the City Commission is finalizing a Strategic Plan that calls for a new Growth Policy and provides direction on maintaining Bozeman as a livable and well-planned city. To fulfill the strategic plan directives, an updated Growth Policy is required. What direction has the City Commission given with regards to the Growth Policy? The Strategic Plan contains the following regarding ensuring that Bozeman remains a well-planned city. A complete list of planning-related proposals is contained in Attachment A. Major points are below. These points will provide direction to the growth policy update. 4. A Well-Planned City We consistently improve our community’s quality of life as it grows and changes, honoring our sense of place and the ‘Bozeman feel’ as we plan for a livable, affordable, more connected city. 4.1 Informed Conversation on Growth - Continue developing an in-depth understanding of how Bozeman is growing and changing and proactively address change in a balanced and coordinated manner. 4.2 High Quality Urban Approach - Continue to support high-quality planning, ranging from building design to neighborhood layouts, while pursuing urban approaches to issues such as multimodal transportation, infill, density, connected trails and parks, and walkable neighborhoods. 1 76-1-601 (3) (f) MCA GROWTH POLICY FRAMEWORK QUESTIONS PAGE 2 4.3 Strategic Infrastructure Choices - Prioritize long-term investment and maintenance for existing and new infrastructure. 4.4 Vibrant Downtown, Districts & Centers - Promote a healthy, vibrant Downtown, Midtown, and other commercial districts and neighborhood centers – including higher densities and intensification of use in these key areas. What can the Growth Policy do for Bozeman and how will we know if it is successful? Establishing and clearly articulating a vision as to what Bozeman will look like in the future is critical to the success of a new Growth Policy. The plan should provide a direction for development that builds a sustainable community. The plan should guide land use decisions, provide context and understanding for annexation policy, and guide the development of the community. There should be clear understandings of future growth areas, infill potential, downtown and commercial areas, historic preservation, and clear connections that tie future growth to future infrastructure. It is essential that the Growth Policy demonstrates a commitment to outcomes. It must be more than just a set of goals and objectives. It should also have actions and timelines that work towards achieving the goals that are identified in the plan. Identifying measurable outcomes will assist in the implementation of the plan – including a commitment to provide the staff and financial resources needed to carry out the plan. If the plan does these things, it will be a success. What are the main challenges we will face and how will we overcome them? Like any public process, engaging with the community to gain meaningful comments, suggestions and input will be critical to the success of the process and the growth policy. Challenges will be related to hearing all points of view, engaging different segments of the population, and using those to craft a plan that reflects community input. In addition, any growth policy requires a community to make informed decisions about future developments. The current rate of change in population, in technologies affecting our community, and in economics all make the task of predicted the future more difficult. The best answer to this challenge is probably to recognize the limitations of our powers of prognostication and to focus on promoting growth policies that result in adaptable policies, neighborhoods, commercial centers, transportation infrastructures, etc. Finally, governments are resource constrained and will always be so. Any growth policy needs to recognize this and be realistic about the availability and use of scarce financial resources. GROWTH POLICY FRAMEWORK QUESTIONS PAGE 3 Attachment A Bozeman Strategic Plan – Well-Planned City 4. A Well-Planned City We consistently improve our community’s quality of life as it grows and changes, honoring our sense of place and the ‘Bozeman feel’ as we plan for a livable, affordable, more connected city. 4.1 Informed Conversation on Growth - Continue developing an in-depth understanding of how Bozeman is growing and changing and proactively address change in a balanced and coordinated manner. a) Adopt a New Growth Policy Based on Sustainable Growth Principles. Direct and guide sustainable growth through appropriate planning, annexation, land use, and a streamlined development review process. b) Develop and Align Infill Policies. Develop, adopt and align city policies for infill and redevelopment, economic development and public infrastructure. c) GIS Land Use & Infrastructure Development Tracking. Provide easy-to-use, accurate and informative tracking of land-use and infrastructure development trends and project-specific progress for use across the organization to inform strategic infrastructure investments. 4.2 High Quality Urban Approach - Continue to support high-quality planning, ranging from building design to neighborhood layouts, while pursuing urban approaches to issues such as multimodal transportation, infill, density, connected trails and parks, and walkable neighborhoods. a) Advance the Triangle Growth Plan. Commit City resources and actively partner with the County and other local jurisdictions to advance the Triangle Plan, to include facility planning, economic development, land use, water and sewer use. b) Complete Unified Development Code, Phase 2. Once the updated Unified Development Code (UDC) for growth and infrastructure is adopted by City Commission, begin Phase 2 of UDC to address parking standards and affordable housing and sign code. c) Parking Management by District. Develop a comprehensive, integrated approach to parking management for the downtown, midtown, university, and other districts. Consider a range of solutions including both on-street parking and parking garages. d) Prepare for Metropolitan Planning Organization Designation. Begin advance planning and preparation for Bozeman’s anticipated designation as a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). Coordinate with other regional governments on inter-local agreements, transportation planning functions, and required development for the City as an MPO. GROWTH POLICY FRAMEWORK QUESTIONS PAGE 4 e) Update Historic Preservation Guidelines. Update the Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District (NCOD) guidelines for historic preservation in downtown, midtown, and other commercial districts and neighborhood centers. Promote continued investment in the city's inventory of historic structures relative to ongoing infill and redevelopment. f) Create a Standard Boards and Commission Onboarding and Education Process. Increase education for boards, advisory boards and the zoning commission regarding the importance of supporting high quality urban standards. g) Identify Trail Connection Gaps. Further trail connectivity, particularly E/W trail connections to facilitate active transportation. 4.3 Strategic Infrastructure Choices - Prioritize long-term investment and maintenance for existing and new infrastructure. a) Manage Growth Adjacent to City (Donut). Prioritize continuing to allocate resources to address growth in the Greater Bozeman Metro Area by establishing a joint city/county planning board and implementing urban infrastructure standards for new development in the county. b) Use Tourism Improvement Dollars for Infrastructure. Seek legislative authority to allocate Tourism Business Improvement dollars to local infrastructure projects. c) Develop a Comprehensive Parks Maintenance and Facilities Funding Program. d) Implement the Water Resources Plan. Including: Groundwater well field, Sourdough canyon natural storage, Sourdough Canyon water transmission, Lyman water tank and transmission main, Hyalite Dam Reservoir improvements. e) Increase Capacity of Sewer Pipes to Accommodate Development Projects. Projects include: North Frontage Road sewer project, Front Street sewer project and Davis Lane. f) Stormwater Control. Pilot, construct, and maintain green and low impact stormwater control measures that soak up, filter, and infiltrate stormwater and its pollutants, while adding a natural and accessible look to the city’s built environment. g) Complete a Downtown Infrastructure Plan. Complete a plan for downtown infrastructure and prioritize improvements in the various Capital Improvement Programs (CIPs). h) Annexation of Islands and Critical Adjacent Lands. Investigate the development of new annexation policies to address long term tax fairness for public services, locations of infrastructure, and locations for future infill and growth. GROWTH POLICY FRAMEWORK QUESTIONS PAGE 5 i) Explore Sustainable Technology. Explore technologies to advance environmental sustainability. Examples include Advanced Metering Infrastructure, performance management systems also known as community “dashboards,” indoor and outdoor lighting controls, Electric Vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, and data analytics. j) Encourage a County-wide Local Gas Tax. Suggest Gallatin County propose a local gas tax to be approved by voters to help fund local infrastructure projects. This is another way to share the City’s funding burden of providing urban services with other county residents as well as tourists. 4.4 Vibrant Downtown, Districts & Centers - Promote a healthy, vibrant Downtown, Midtown, and other commercial districts and neighborhood centers – including higher densities and intensification of use in these key areas. a) Enhance Livability of Neighborhoods Through City Services and Code Enforcement. Maintain and enhance attractive neighborhoods through improved city services, innovative enforcement techniques and voluntary compliance with city codes and regulations. b) Sub-Area and Node Planning. Ensure adequate resources exist to develop future planning for targeted subareas of the city such as downtown, midtown, and neighborhoods. c) Reevaluate City Zone Map. Make considerations for high density zoning, transitional zoning and live/work zoning. d) Adopt a Strategic Parking Plan. Implement adopted strategic parking plan to provide adequate parking to support vibrant commercial activity.