HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Plan edits - 1 JM MEMORANDUM
TO: Bozeman Planning Board Members FROM: Cathy Costakis & Jennifer Madgic DATE: October 14, 2019 RE: Suggested Changes to the Community Plan
As we reviewed the draft Community Plan we found a number of areas where concepts and language can be improved. We decided it worked best to offer re-writes of certain sections for your review and approval. Sections we have worked on thus far include the Plan’s introduction, the Plan’s ‘Shape of the City’ discussion and the Plan’s mention of housing. Please feel free to
chime in, offer suggestions/improvements as you see fit.
1. Intro- Bozeman’s Community Plan (the Plan) is a fundamental policy document guiding growth and community development. The Plan works in synergy with the City’s Strategic Plan, with both documents reflecting our community’s shared values and priorities. The Plan is the city’s long-range comprehensive plan (or growth policy) that meets the statutory
requirements per MCA 76-1-601 by addressing land use, natural resources, the economy, public infrastructure, housing and other topics identified by the community.
Bozeman’s high rate of growth, changing economics, housing affordability, regional change and state statute mandating that communities keep their community plans current and up to date, make it necessary to update the City’s 2009 Plan. The City has had five community
plans dating back to 1958. Each plan builds from the other, reflecting the community’s vision
and needs as deemed appropriate at a given point in time. Plans are meant to change as a community changes, offering an opportunity to implement and monitor established goals and objectives.
2. Shape of the City The City’s primary function is to provide a safe, healthy, and high-quality environment that supports the physical, social and economic welfare of its citizens. For our community to continue to prosper, everyone needs equitable access to opportunities to advance their well-being regardless of their circumstances. The way we shape our community through our
development patterns, transportation systems, housing options, economic opportunities and green spaces can contribute to the well-being of our citizens or it can make it harder for people to live healthy and successful lives. Residents have consistently stated a desire for safe and accessible streets where people can
get around by walking, bicycling, transit as well as by driving. They want to live in walkable neighborhoods where they have easy access to everyday services, employment opportunities, healthy and affordable food, recreation and social gathering places. Housing affordability is a top concern and citizens of all ages, abilities and income levels require a diversity of housing types to meet their specific needs. Open space, parks, trails and the preservation of local
agriculture were also high priorities.
The City contributes to these goals by providing infrastructure, public services, and design
standards to shape the fabric of our community within which all citizens can pursue a high quality of life. As Bozeman continues to evolve into the future there is a need to build more sustainably, with more emphasis on compact development patterns. However, our competitive advantage will rely on our ability to maintain our high quality of life as we grow.
3. Housing
The price of land and housing is an issue that ultimately impacts us all. Whether we’re a
prospective buyer trying to enter the market, a student looking for temporary housing, a worker seeking a local housing option, the cost of housing impacts new and old residents, workers, employers, young and old. It is one issue that touches us all, through personal choices, our neighborhoods, cost of goods and services, transportation and commutes, quality
of life and more. It was one of the top topics of concerns from individuals participating in the
Plan update.
Bozeman has taken the issue seriously through development of a housing needs assessment in 2019, hiring of a housing coordinator and through regulations on short term rentals. The City recognizes this issue is complex, has regional implications and that there are no easy
solutions.
It is recognized that zoning and land use regulations are processes that can impact cost of housing. The City should be creative in its approach through discouragement of single-family residential districts, serious consideration of form-based codes, and exploration and adoption of regulations and processes that allow a range of housing types to exist intermixed with one
another in a given neighborhood. Single-family residences, duplexes, triplexes, cottage housing, apartments should be designed together to comprise our neighborhoods.
This mix of housing types should be encouraged in the creation of neighborhoods, so people of all ages and socio-economic levels have an opportunity to rent and buy housing in desirable areas. A healthy community has housing for everyone and because not everyone is
the same or has the same financial resources, variety is the key and should be part of the housing affordability solution.