HomeMy WebLinkAbout191126_BozemanCommunityPlan_PBReviewDraft_V8BOZEMANMT
2019 COMMUNITY PLAN
26 NOVEMBER 2019
THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.
PLANNING BOARD REVIEW DRAFT, 26 NOVEMBER 2019 I
BOZEMAN CITY COMMISSION
_________________________
Mayor Cyndy Andrus
Deputy Mayor Chris Mehl
Commissioner Terry Cunningham
Commissioner Jeff Krauss
Commissioner I-Ho Pomeroy
BOZEMAN PLANNING BOARD
Henry (Hap) Happel, Chair
Chris Mehl, Commission Liaison
Cathy Costakis
Mark Egge
Jennifer Madgic
Gerald (Jerry) Pape, Jr.
Paul Spitler
George Thompson
Lauren Waterton
SIGNATURE PAGE
This certifies that the Bozeman Community Plan has been duly adopted by the Bozeman City
Commission by City of Bozeman Resolution No. ____, dated ___________.
II CITY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNITY PLAN
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
CITY OF BOZEMAN CITY COMMISSIONMayor Cyndy Andrus
Deputy Mayor Chris Mehl
Commissioner Terry CunninghamCommissioner Jeff KraussCommissioner I-Ho Pomeroy
CITY OF BOZEMAN PLANNING BOARDHenry (Hap) Happel, ChairChris Mehl, Commission Liaison
Cathy Costakis
Mark EggeJennifer MadgicGerald (Jerry) Pape, Jr.Paul Spitler
George Thompson
Lauren WatertonBrianne Dugan, Past Member John Lavey, Past Member Jordan Zignego, Past Member
CITY OF BOZEMAN STAFF
Martin Matsen, Director of Community Development
Chris Saunders, Community Development ManagerTom Rogers, Senior Planner
CONSULTANT TEAMLogan SimpsonLeland Consulting
Special thanks to the community members who participated in the process
and contributed to the development of the Community Plan.
PLANNING BOARD REVIEW DRAFT, 26 NOVEMBER 2019 III
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION 1
01 | BASICS 3ORGANIZATION 3PLANNING AREA 5
PLANNING TIME HORIZON 5
PUBLIC OUTREACH 5EXISTING CONDITIONS 6RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER PLANS 8BASIC PLANNING PRECEPTS 11
02 | THEMES 13
03 | FUTURE LAND USE 39IMPORTANCE 39
LAND USE DESCRIPTIONS FOR USE ON THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP 41
CORRELATION WITH ZONING 46THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP 47
04 | IMPLEMENTATION 49IMPORTANCE 49SHORT-TERM ACTION LIST 50
MONITORING AND UPDATES 50
05 | AMENDMENTS + REVIEW 53
PLAN AMENDMENTS 53
REVIEW TRIGGERS, AMENDMENTS, AND AMENDMENT CRITERIA 54SUBDIVISION REVIEW 56ZONING AMENDMENT REVIEW 60PUBLIC REVIEW AND HEARING PROCEDURES 67
THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.
PLANNING BOARD REVIEW DRAFT, 26 NOVEMBER 2019 1
00
INTRODUCTION
The City of Bozeman is set in an expansive valley,
surrounded by several towering mountain ranges,
and intersected by blue ribbon waterways. Over
the last 150 years, Bozeman has grown from a
small town supported by agricultural to one of
the most livable micropolitan areas in the United
States. Desirable amenities, such as immediate
access to year-round recreation, high-quality
education, and a growing high-tech culture,
have all contributed to increasingly high rates
of development, employment, and population
growth; all managed by thoughtful and forward-
thinking City policies.
Bozeman now has a population of approximately
50,000 people, up from 22,660 in the year 1990.
It is the fourth largest city in Montana. The City is
home to a major university, is a growing regional
healthcare hub, serves as the major trading center
for much of western Montana, has a sophisticated
and growing high tech industry, and is a renowned
summer and winter recreational center that
attracts thousands of visitors annually.
Bozeman’s high rate of growth and changing
economics, rapid development in surrounding
Gallatin County, and the state statute mandating
communities keep their community plans up
to date, all make it necessary to draft a new
Community Plan. The City has had five community
plans dating back to 1958, the most recent being
its 2009 plan. Each plan builds from the others,
reflecting the community’s vision and needs at a
given point in time.
This Community Plan (the Plan) is a fundamental
policy document guiding further growth and
community development in Bozeman. The Plan
reflects the community’s shared values and
priorities. The Plan is the City’s long-range growth
policy (or comprehensive plan) that meets the
statutory requirements per MCA 76-1-601. It sets
forth Bozeman’s future growth policy for land
use and development. The purpose of the Plan
is to guide the City’s community planning and
to evaluate and prioritize City actions moving
forward.
This Plan helps guide citizens, City staff, and
elected officials’ decisions. Its measure of success
is continuation of the Bozeman tradition – a
flourishing place to reside, visit, build a business,
and raise a family. The City, as an institution, will
undertake many actions to implement the Plan.
The residents and businesses in the City, through
their aspirations and hard work, will carry out the
Plan. This Plan brings land use policy into the
larger community discussions on many issues
addressed by the City.
Gallatin County Population and Employment Projection
Gallatin County Change 2017 - 2045
2017 2020 2030 2040 2045 Total Annual Growth Rate
Population 105,000 111,700 133,100 151,200 159,900 54,900 1,961 1.5%
Employment 80,400 85,600 101,900 115,800 122,500 42,100 1,504 1.5%
Source: Economic & Planning Systems
THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.
PLANNING BOARD REVIEW DRAFT, 26 NOVEMBER 2019 3
01
01 | BASICS
ORGANIZATION
The Plan is organized into five main sections: Basics, Themes, Land Use Map, Implementation, and
Amendments and Review, along with Appendices that provide additional details.
01 | Basics outlines the organization of the Plan, describes the Planning Area and the Planning
Period, provides an overview of the public outreach process and existing conditions, and sets forth
existing guidance from the City’s Strategic Plan and relationships with other City planning documents.
Most importantly, at the end, it summarizes the recommendations of the Plan and discusses them
within the context of the issues of most importance to Bozeman residents.
02 | Themes sets forth Plan goals and objectives, existing conditions, and framework maps that
show key opportunity areas related to each theme.
03 | Future Land Use sets forth and discusses Bozeman’s Future Land Use Map.
04 | Implementation details a monitoring program that will be used to track progress toward
meeting the community’s vision through key progress indicators.
05 | Amendments + Review contains the Plan’s proposed amendment information, proposed
zoning amendments, and the subdivision review process.
4 CITY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNITY PLAN
APPENDICES
APPENDIX A: ENGAGEMENT AND PROCESS TO CREATE THE PLAN
Appendix A details the outreach and engagement process that helped shape the Community Plan. The
four-phase process used in-person and digital approaches to engagement to capture the voice of the
community.
Phase One (Foundation) engaged the community and determined what people love about Bozeman,
what people believe could be improved about Bozeman, and their vision for Bozeman’s future.
Phase Two (Analysis and Vision) built upon the high levels of engagement in Phase One and refined
the seven themes that were developed based upon Phase One comments from the community.
Furthermore, participants were asked to consider opportunities that can help the City realize its
vision.
Phase Three (Opportunities and Choices) outreach involved a community event held at the
Bozeman Public Library and an online questionnaire that were designed to gather community input
on the specific opportunities that coincide with each of the six Themes.
Phase Four (Draft and Final Plan), the final phase in the Community Plan Update process was
conducted over the course of several months to ensure community satisfaction and acceptance
of the Plan. Community comments provided throughout the first three phases were incorporated
into this final Plan which includes specific goals, objectives, and designated indicators which act as
monitors that measure success of each goal.
APPENDIX B: INFRASTRUCTURE PLANS
Appendix B includes references to the City’s key infrastructure plans, with descriptions of, and links
to each plan document. Included plans detail future and existing plans for transportation, storm water,
wastewater, parks and open space, public safety, economic development, housing, and parking.
APPENDIX C: INVENTORY REPORT
Appendix C details the history of the City of Bozeman, along with existing conditions text that highlight
where the City currently is, and the direction is has been trending in. Statistics and text in this section
are taken directly from the Demographic and Real Estate Market Assessment prepared by Economic
and Planning Systems (EPS) in 2018. Demographic information included highlights existing population
characteristics such as total count, income, and age, as well as housing, employment, and commercial
and industrial statistics.
APPENDIX D: PROJECTIONS REPORT
As with Appendix C, projections shown in Appendix D have been extracted from the Demographic
and Real Estate Market Assessment prepared by Economic and Planning Systems (EPS). Projections
include population, employment, and housing growth, as well as demand projections for land, housing,
commercial, and industrial space.
PLANNING BOARD REVIEW DRAFT, 26 NOVEMBER 2019 5
PLANNING AREA
Bozeman’s Planning Area, the subject of this
Plan, is the area of the City’s future municipal
water and sewer service boundary. It includes
the City of Bozeman as well as a half-mile to
two-mile area around, but outside the City in the
Gallatin County jurisdictional area. The Planning
Area is nearly 70.8 square miles. The City’s
current footprint is 20.4 square miles. This Plan
encourages development within the municipal
boundaries where City services are available and
thoughtful development in the Planning Area
guided by the goals and policies herein.
PLANNING TIME HORIZON
The time horizon for this Plan is 20 years, i.e. until 2040. This time horizon is referred to in the Plan as the
“Planning Period.” The future land use map and other elements look further into the future to envision a
long-term future that is not predicted to occur over any particular time frame.
PUBLIC OUTREACH
Developing Bozeman’s Community Plan involved a lengthy public outreach period and guidance from
the Planning Board and City Commission throughout the process.
Development of the Plan included four distinct phases. The community was provided many opportunities
throughout the process to voice their opinion through large-scale community events, small group
listening sessions, stakeholder interviews, and a series of progressive, easy-to-use online surveys.
Events were advertised through print media, social media, as well as on the City’s website and calendar.
Additionally, postcards and flyers were handed out and posted throughout the community to encourage
high levels of participation and to increase overall awareness. Appendix A details the process by which
the City and its residents developed this Plan.
Current City Limits
Growth Policy Boundary (Proposed)
1.5 0 1.50.75 Miles ¯
For the Love of Bozeman
Foundation
Project Branding
One-on-One Interviews
Listening Sessions
Community Social
+ Questionnaire
Bozeman Talks
Analysis + Vision
Existing Plans Review
Existing Conditions Analysis
Community Values Identification
Community Workshop
+ Questionnaire
Bozeman Thinks Big
Opportunities + Choices
Opportunities
Identification
Land Use Options Development + Refinement
Community Events + Open House
Bozeman The Plan
Plan Development + Approval
Draft Plan Development
Community Open Houses + Questionnaire
Draft Plan Review
Final Plan Development
Formal Adoption Hearings
6 CITY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNITY PLAN
EXISTING CONDITIONS
POPULATION
Bozeman’s estimated 2018 population (48,105)
was more than double the City’s population in
1990 (22,660). The median age of Bozeman
residents is 27.9 years old, which can partially
be attributed to the enrollment of over 16,900
students at Montana State University. Over 55
percent of City residents have a bachelor’s degree
or higher, in comparison to the national average
of 30 percent. The City is projected to grow by
nearly 27,000 people through the year 2045.
Net migration accounted for 75 percent of Gallatin
County’s population change between 2010 and
2017. A high rate of net migration indicates an area
that is a desirable place to live and a sign of a
thriving economy.
EMPLOYMENT
Bozeman’s largest employer is Montana State
University (MSU), with over 3,000 full and part-
time employees. Gallatin County has experienced
an employment growth rate of over four percent
per annum since 2010, adding 12,000 jobs, with
80 percent of the growth occurring in the City of
Bozeman.
INCOME
The median household income in Bozeman is
$49,217, but the median household income for
homeowners in Bozeman is $79,662 and the
median household income for renters is $35,012.
This disparity may reflect, to some extent, the
impact of MSU students on Bozeman statistical
averages.
HOUSING
About 45 percent of households in the City own
their homes. The median sale price of homes,
including single-unit homes, townhomes, and
condominiums, was $385,000 in 2018, an
increase of 75 percent since 2012. During this
same period, the consumer price index rose 10
percent and the cost of homes nationwide rose 38
percent.
24 percent of homeowners are “cost burdened,”
paying 30 percent or more of their income
towards rent or mortgage payments, while 55
percent of renters are cost-burdened. In the U.S.
as a whole, 22.5 percent of homeowners were
cost burdened in 2017, the last year statistics are
available. This equates to about 9,200 owner-
occupied Bozeman households in 2018.
Between 2010 and fall 2018, 43 percent of homes
built were multi-unit (3+), 41 percent were
PLANNING BOARD REVIEW DRAFT, 26 NOVEMBER 2019 7
single-unit, 14 percent townhomes and duplexes,
and two percent were accessory dwelling units
(ADUs). 41 percent of homes in Bozeman are
single-detached, compared to nearly 70 percent
in Montana and 62 percent at the national level.
There is an estimated demand for over 12,700
new residences in Bozeman by the year 2045 to
compensate for current shortfall in housing stock
and the projected population increase.
TRANSPORTATION
Bozeman residents have access to a range of
transportation options, such as an extensive
sidewalk and trail system, the six citywide routes
offered by Streamline Bus service, Skyline Bus
service to Big Sky, Galavan transportation service
for seniors and disabled individuals, taxi service
and rideshare, and the bike network, which
consists of 18 miles of bike routes, 33 miles of bike
lanes, and 23 miles of shared-use paths.
70 percent of Bozeman commuters drive alone, 16
percent walk or ride a bike, six percent work
from home, and less than one percent use public
transit. The average commute time, which has
been increasing, is approximately 14.5 minutes,
compared to the state average of 18 minutes and
the national average of 26 minutes.
GROWTH
Bozeman’s land area and its population is
growing. Since 1988, Bozeman has annexed at
landowner request more than 6,650 acres of land,
or about 10.3 square miles – more than doubling
its size. Bozeman’s annexation policy guides this
process.
The projected land demand over the Planning
Period, based on estimated population growth,
ranges from 3,820 acres to 5,716 acres,
depending largely on levels of density in future
residential developments. Faster rates of
population growth will require additional area.
A more detailed description of Bozeman’s existing
conditions can be found in Appendix D.
8 CITY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNITY PLAN
RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER PLANS
The Bozeman Strategic Plan is the overarching policy statement for the City. It was adopted by the City
Commission on March 5, 2018 after a 24-month process of community discussion and evaluation. The
Strategic Plan provides direction for this Community Plan primarily through its Vision Statement entitled A
Well-Planned City. This Vision Statement focuses on balanced growth, high quality planning and design,
strategic infrastructure choices, districts, and neighborhood centers. The Strategic Plan also provides
direction through its Vision Statements entitled A Sustainable Environment, An Innovative Economy, and
A High Performance Organization. The seven Themes in this Plan further the goals of the Strategic Plan
(see table at right).
The Community Plan is also influenced by, and will influence, a number of other local plans, guidelines,
policies, and manuals. These are intended to be used together to achieve a set of community goals
while minimizing redundancies.
They include the Transportation Master Plan, neighborhood plans such as the Downtown Bozeman
Improvement Plan, and the City’s various water-related plans. Given the extensive range of operations
of the City, several plans are reviewed and updated each year. Please consult the most recent version of
each plan.
PLANNING BOARD REVIEW DRAFT, 26 NOVEMBER 2019 9future Land Use MapA City of NeighborhoodsA City Bolstered by Downtown and Complementary DistrictsA City Influenced by our Natural Environment, Parks, and Open SpaceA City that Prioritizes Accessibility and MobilityA City Powered by its Creative, Innovative, and Entrepreneurial EconomyA City Guided by Regional Coordination and Defined EdgesCovered by Other Plans1 | An Engaged Community
1.1 Outreach •
1.2 Community Engagement •
1.3 Public Agencies Collaboration ••••
1.4 Business and Institutional Partnerships •••
2 | An Innovative Economy
2.1 Business Growth ••••
2.2 Infrastructure Investments ••••••
2.3 Workforce Development ••
2.4 Partnerships to Spur Economic Vitality ••
3 | A Safe, Welcoming Community
3.1 Public Safety •••
3.2 Health & Safety Action ••
3.3 Friendly Community ••
3.4 Active Recreation •
4 | A Well-Planned City
4.1 Informed Conversation on Growth ••••••
4.2 High Quality Urban Approach •••••••
4.3 Strategic Infrastructure Choices •••••••
4.4 Vibrant Downtown, Districts & Centers •••••••
4.5 Housing and Transportation Choices ••••••
5 | A Creative, Learning Culture
5.1 Civic and Cultural Infrastructure •••••
5.2 Support for Public Art ••••
5.3 Partnerships for Education and Learning •••
6 | A Sustainable Environment
6.1 Clean Water Supplies •
6.2 Protect Local Air Quality •
6.3 Climate Action ••
6.4 Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation •
6.5 Parks, Trails & Open Space ••••••
7 | A High-Performance Organization
7.1 Values-Driven Culture
7.2 Employee Excellence
7.3 Best Practices, Creativity & Foresight
7.4 Performance Metrics
7.5 Funding and Delivery of City Services
CURRENT TOPIC PLANS
Downtown Improvement Plan – 2019
Housing Needs Assessment – 2019
Stormwater Management Plan – 2019
Gallatin County Hazard Mitigation Plan and Community Wildfire Protection Plan (draft) – 2019
Drought Management Plan – 2017
Fire and EMS Master Plan – 2017
Midtown Action Plan – 2017
Transportation Master Plan – 2017:
Water Facility Plan Update – 2017
Downtown Strategic Parking Management Plan – 2016
Economic Development Strategy Update – 2016
Urban Forestry Management Plan – 2016
Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District (NCOD) – 2019
Wastewater Collection Facilities Plan Update – 2015
Gallatin Triangle Planning Study – 2014
Community Transportation Safety Plan – 2013
Integrated Water Resources Plan – 2013
Integrated Water Resources Implementation Plan – 2013
Bozeman Creek Enhancement Plan – 2012
Community Climate Action Plan – 2011
Stormwater Facilities Plan – 2008
Parks, Recreation, Open Space, and Trails Plan – 2007
Bozeman Creek Neighborhood Plan – 2005
PLANNING BOARD REVIEW DRAFT, 26 NOVEMBER 2019 11
BASIC PLANNING PRECEPTS
CITY RESPONSIBILITIES
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 the Bozeman community
to continue to prosper, all citizens need equitable
access to opportunities to advance their well-
being regardless of their circumstances. The way
a community is shaped through development
patterns, infrastructure, transportation systems,
housing options, economic opportunities and
green spaces can contribute to the well-being of
citizens or can make it harder for people to live
healthy and successful lives.
RESIDENT DESIRES
Bozeman residents have consistently stated
a desire for safe and accessible streets that
support and encourage a variety of transportation
preferences including 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 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 agricultural
lands and view sheds were also priorities.
CITY’S ROLE
Development occurs most efficiently, and
with best results, when the public and private
sectors can work together to achieve mutually
compatible goals. The City contributes to these
goals by providing infrastructure, public services,
and design standards to shape the fabric of the
community. It is worth emphasizing that the vast
majority of the future built environment will be
designed, paid for, and constructed by the private
sector.
PRINCIPLES APPLIED IN THIS PLAN
Drawing on best land use practices, community
input, Bozeman’s planning experience, and
the ideas set forth above and discussed in the
Themes, the following principles have been
established. The principles have been used
to prepare the goals and objectives, land use
designations, policies, and Future Land Use map:
• Urban design should integrate residential and
commercial land use activities, multimodal
transportation, and open spaces.
• Variety in housing and employment
opportunities is essential for a healthy
community.
• Land use designations must respond to a
broad range of factors, including infrastructure,
natural, and economic constraints, other
community priorities, and expectations
concerning private development.
• Transportation infrastructure is vital in
supporting desired land use patterns.
Therefore, the two must be coordinated.
Future infrastructure should continue its
transition away automobile centered in favor
of interconnected multimodal transportation
networks (i.e. infrastructure for bicycle,
pedestrian, and transit modes of transport in
addition to automobiles).
• Development should be compact and serve a
variety of housing needs.
• Diverse uses of land should occur relatively
close to one another.
• Bozeman should build resiliently and
sustainably.
• Development should be integrated into the
neighborhood and larger community rather
than being unconnected standalone projects
or islands serving a specific purpose.
• The needs of new and existing development
coexist and they should remain in balance.
Neither should overwhelm the other.
• Infill development and redevelopment should
12 CITY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNITY PLAN
be encouraged, but incremental compact
outward growth is a necessary part of City
growth.
• Gathering places, and open spaces, including
parks, trails, should be in convenient locations
to those they serve. Quality and function is
superior to quantity alone.
GROWTH
Bozeman’s employment, population, and built
environment have been growing rapidly. This has
created enormous benefits for the community. It
has, however, also led to growing pains—higher
housing costs, increased traffic, and a lessening
of the community’s “small town feel.” The City’s
response to this is to pursue policies that mitigate
these growing pains. These policies are described
above and throughout this Plan.
HOUSING AFFORDABILITY
Housing affordability is a critical issue for the
community. The positive attributes that make
Bozeman a desirable place to live, including a
rapid growth and recovery from the recession
since 2012, job growth, increased university
enrollments, geographic location, and others have
also contributed to housing demand. The sale
price of homes have more than fully recovered for
all product types. The median sale price of homes,
including single-family homes, townhomes and
condominiums, increased 75% since 2012. This is
an average increase of 10% per year.
According to the Bozeman Housing Needs
Assessment, an estimated 5,405 to 6,340 housing
units for residents and employees are needed by
2025, or an average of about 770 to 905 units per
year. This figure includes housing for employees,
units needed to open up the current tight rental
and ownership markets and provide choices to
households, employees filling jobs vacated by
retirees, workers filling new jobs, plus related non-
employee resident housing needs.
More housing and more diversity in housing is
needed at prices that residents and employees
can afford and that provides them choices, the
ability to move as life circumstances change and
that allows employers to fill jobs, recruit and retain
employees and support business, resident and
student growth.
Bozeman has taken the issue seriously through
development of the housing needs assessment in
2019, the hiring of a housing coordinator, and the
development of a Community Housing Action Plan
which was released in October 2019. The Housing
Action Plan objectives include the following: i.)
ensuring community housing serves the full range
of incomes without losing sight of safety net
programs for extremely low income and homeless
families; ii.) producing community housing at a
rate that exceeds or at least matches job growth;
and iii.) striving to produce community housing at
a rate that matches the spectrum of community
housing needs. The Housing Plan identifies 19
priority action strategies to be evaluated and
where appropriate, utilized over the next five
years in an effort to accomplish these objectives.
Because affordable housing is the subject of
this detailed Housing Action Plan, this Plan does
not address affordable housing issues in detail.
However, zoning and land use regulations are
processes that influence the cost of housing and
are addressed in this Plan. The Plan supports
housing cost efforts by encouraging continued
regulations and processes that allow for a range
of housing types intermixed with one another in
a given neighborhood, denser development, and
efficiencies of various types that can help reduce
housing costs while not jeopardizing public safety
and in balance with other community priorities.
PLANNING BOARD REVIEW DRAFT, 26 NOVEMBER 2019 13
02
02 | THEMES
Six Themes describe the community-derived desired outcomes. The Themes contain objectives and
actions to guide the City towards its vision, evolve as the City grows, and allow the City to incorporate
new objectives as needed. The Themes, described in detail below, include the following:
A CITY OF NEIGHBORHOODS;
A CITY BOLSTERED BY DOWNTOWN AND COMPLEMENTARY DISTRICTS;
A CITY INFLUENCED BY OUR NATURAL ENVIRONMENT, PARKS, AND OPEN SPACE;
A CITY THAT PRIORITIZES ACCESSIBILITY AND MOBILITY;
A CITY POWERED BY ITS CREATIVE, INNOVATIVE, AND ENTREPRENEURIAL
ECONOMY;
A CITY ENGAGED IN REGIONAL COORDINATION.
14 CITY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNITY PLAN
THEME 1 | A CITY OF NEIGHBORHOODS
Our City is diverse and inclusive, defined by our commercial nodes, a variety of
quality housing, walkable centers, schools, and parks.
IMPORTANCE
Balanced growth incorporates commercial nodes, housing type diversity, and strategic locations for
residential density and commercial intensity, which contributes to a high quality of life. Providing a
variety of housing options in close proximity to employment, educational and recreational opportunities
promotes equality and inclusivity for existing and future Bozeman residents.
There is strong public support for development being part of a larger whole including strengthening
existing neighborhoods through infrastructure maintenance and other actions. As the population of
Bozeman grows, it is harder to keep the same “small town” feel. In-migration brings in new people and
families with a wide variety of beliefs and values. The neighborhood unit helps provide the sense of
familiarity and intimacy which can be lacking in larger communities. Neighborhood commercial/activity
centers and local parks provide opportunities for nearby residents to interact.
The ability to easily and safely walk between daily destinations, called walkability, contributes to
development of interpersonal relationships and offers benefits to health, the environment, our finances,
and our communities. Development standards supporting walkable compact development improve
sustainability.
Each of Bozeman’s residential areas reflect the time they were built and have their own unique
characteristics and differing levels of mobility for different types of users (pedestrians, bikes, and cars);
as well as their own architectural, recreational, and, sometimes, commercial features. As the City grows,
supporting the variety of residential areas allows for more choice, and a larger range of pricing and size
options for individuals and families across the income spectrum.
PLANNING BOARD REVIEW DRAFT, 26 NOVEMBER 2019 15
THIS DIAGRAM IS FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES, AND IS CONCEPTUAL ONLY.
16 CITY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNITY PLAN
GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND ACTIONS
Goal N-1: Support well-planned, walkable neighborhoods.
N-1.1 Promote housing diversity to meet a variety of housing
needs in neighborhoods, specifically including the
promotion of two- and three-household townhomes and rowhouses.
N-1.2 Review increasing required minimum densities in residential districts.
N-1.3 Provide a diverse zoning map to encourage a variety of
different residential uses in proximity to each other.
N-1.4 Promote development of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) as a means of addressing affordability and density.
N-1.5 Encourage neighborhood focal point development
with functions, activities, and facilities that can be sustained over time. Maintain standards for placement of community focal points and services within new development.
N-1.6 Review and where appropriate revise block and lot
design standards throughout City neighborhoods.
N-1.7 Install, replace, and maintain missing or damaged sidewalk elements, trails, and shared use paths.
N-1.8 Ensure multimodal connections between adjacent
developments so that citizens can readily travel and
neighborhood identity is not based on individual subdivisions.
N-1.9 Increase connectivity between parks and neighborhoods through continued trail and sidewalk
development. Prioritize closing gaps within the network.
Goal N-2: Pursue simultaneous emergence of commercial
nodes and residential development through diverse
mechanisms in appropriate locations.
N-2.1 Ensure the zoning map identifies locations for neighborhood and community commercial nodes early
in the development process.
N-2.2 Encourage zoning to support higher intensity residential districts near schools, services, and transportation.
PLANNING BOARD REVIEW DRAFT, 26 NOVEMBER 2019 17
N-2.3 Investigate and encourage development of commerce
concurrent with, or soon after, residential development.
N-2.4 Evaluate design standards. Buildings are to be capable of serving an initial residential purpose and be readily converted to commercial uses when adequate market support for commercial services exists.
Goal N-3: Promote a diverse supply of quality housing units.
N-3.1 Review and reassess the zoning map to lessen areas zoned for single-type housing.
N-3.2 Evaluate establishing diversity standards for housing
types.
N-3.3 Review zoning districts to assess the range of housing types in each district.
N-3.4 Promote construction of accessory dwelling units (ADUs).
N-3.5 Encourage distribution of affordable housing units
throughout the City with priority given to locations near commercial, recreational, and transit assets.
N-3.6 Incentivize development of affordable housing through coordination of infrastructure and funding.
N-3.7 Discourage private covenants that restrict housing
diversity or are contrary to City land development policies.
N-3.8 Include adequate residentially-designated areas for anticipated future housing in the future land use map.
Goal N-4: Continue to encourage Bozeman’s sense of place.
N-4.1 Through civic action, continue to recognize and honor the unique history and buildings that contribute to
Bozeman’s sense of place.
N-4.2 Encourage incorporating features, in both public and private projects, to provide organization, structure and landmarks as Bozeman grows.
OTHER RELEVANT PLANS
Neighborhood Conservation
Overlay District, Final Policy
Direction – 2019
Housing Needs Assessment –
2019
Bozeman Creek Neighborhood
Plan – 2005
Midtown Action Plan – 2017
Downtown Improvement Plan –
2019
18 CITY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNITY PLAN
THEME 2 | A CITY BOLSTERED BY DOWNTOWN AND
COMPLEMENTARY DISTRICTS
Our City is bolstered by our Downtown, Midtown, University and other
commercial districts and neighborhood centers that are characterized by higher
densities and intensities of use.
IMPORTANCE
A concentration of persons and activities is necessary for vibrant commercial centers, the efficient
and cost-effective provision of urban services, the encouragement of multimodal transportation, and a
healthier environment for the City and its residents. Appropriately located higher densities facilitate a
beneficial diversity of residences, businesses, and other uses. A compact development pattern reduces
the amount of rural area consumed by land development. Density of development must be balanced
with other community priorities such as the housing choices of citizens.
PLANNING BOARD REVIEW DRAFT, 26 NOVEMBER 2019 19
THIS DIAGRAM IS FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES, AND IS CONCEPTUAL ONLY.
20 CITY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNITY PLAN
GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND ACTIONS
Goal DCD-1: Ensure multimodal connectivity within the City.
DCD-1.1 Expand multimodal accessibility between districts and throughout the City as a means of
promoting personal and environmental health, as well as reducing automobile dependency.
DCD-1.2 Identify missing links in the multimodal system, prioritize those most beneficial to complete, and pursue funding for completion of those links.
DCD-1.3 Identify major existing and future destinations for biking and walking to aid in prioritization of route planning and completion.
DCD-1.4 Support implementation of the Bozeman Transportation Master Plan strategies.
DCD-1.5 Encourage increased development intensity in commercial centers.
DCD-1.6 Evaluate parking requirements and methods of providing parking as part of the overall transportation system for and between districts.
Goal DCD-2: Support urban development within the City.
DCD-2.1 Evaluate alternatives for more intensive development in proximity to high visibility corners, services, and parks.
DCD-2.2 Work with state regulatory agencies and the legislature to remove disincentives in state law and regulations to municipal development.
DCD-2.3 Update the Unified Development Code (UDC) to reflect density increases or minimums within key districts.
DCD-2.4 Develop informational materials for how to effectively manage construction on small footprint sites to lessen impacts on adjacent properties.
DCD-2.5 Document existing policies and practices and develop additional policies, if needed, to
appropriately address issues for infill development.
DCD-2.6 Identify underutilized sites for possible redevelopment.
DCD-2.7 Investigate expansion of or creation of new urban renewal areas to encourage redevelopment of key properties.
DCD-2.8 Coordinate infrastructure construction, maintenance, and upgrades to support infill
development, reduce costs, and minimize disruption to the public.
DCD-2.9 Collaborate with Montana State University School of Architecture to develop educational materials and opportunities for local architects and citizens on how to do quality urban design for infill and greenfield sites.
DCD-2.10 Promote mixed-use developments with access to parks, open space, and transit options.
DCD-2.11 Support University efforts to attract development near campus.
PLANNING BOARD REVIEW DRAFT, 26 NOVEMBER 2019 21
DCD-2.12 Pursue annexations consistent with the future land use
map and adopted facility plans at urban intensity.
DCD-2.13 Prioritize the acquisition and/or preservation of open space that supports community values, addresses gaps in functionality and needs, and does not impede development of the community.
DCD-2.14 Pursue acquisition and development of a diverse
portfolio of water sources and resources.
Goal DCD-3: Encourage growth throughout the City, while
increasing a pattern of community development oriented
on centers of employment and activity. Support a gradual
increase in intensity within developed areas.
DCD-3.1 Coordinate infrastructure development and other goals
with community planning.
DCD-3.2 Support higher density development along main corridors and high visibility street corners to accommodate population growth and support businesses.
DCD-3.3 Review and update minimum development intensity
requirements in residential and non-residential zoning districts.
DCD-3.4 Evaluate revisions to maximum building height limits in multi-household, commercial, industrial, and mixed-use
zoning districts to account for revised building methods,
building code changes, and the effect of incremental changes on meeting goals of this Plan.
DCD-3.5 Identify and zone appropriate locations for neighborhood-scale commercial development.
DCD-3.6 Evaluate and pursue coordinated improvements and
facilities to mitigate development impacts for multiple developments rather than requiring each site to be fully self-supported.
DCD-3.7 Encourage convergence of public transit routes and the
placement of affordable housing developments.
OTHER RELEVANT PLANS
Midtown Action Plan – 2017
Downtown Improvement Plan –
2019
Northeast Neighborhood Urban
Renewal Plan - 2005
22 CITY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNITY PLAN
THEME 3 | A CITY INFLUENCED BY OUR NATURAL
ENVIRONMENT, PARKS, AND OPEN SPACE
Our City is home to an outdoor-conscious population that honors and protects our
natural environment and immediate access to a well-managed open space and
parks system.
IMPORTANCE
Bozeman is located in a beautiful natural environment. Its natural environment and features are a
significant component of the high quality of life and bolster the local economy. Opportunities to integrate
development with natural features will help keep Bozeman vibrant and beautiful.
Parks, trails, and open space are critical components of Bozeman’s character. Access to safe, well
maintained parks, trails, open space, and gathering areas and activities for all people, regardless of
age or mobility, are necessary components of a healthy City. Development and use of land in the City is
dependent on the availability of water, which must be taken into account with projected growth and the
likely impacts of climate change. An updated climate action plan is expected to be completed in 2020.
PLANNING BOARD REVIEW DRAFT, 26 NOVEMBER 2019 23
THIS DIAGRAM IS FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES, AND IS CONCEPTUAL ONLY.
24 CITY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNITY PLAN
GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND ACTIONS
Goal EPO-1: Work to ensure that development is responsive to natural features.
EPO-1.1 Activate our connections to waterways by creating points of engagement bringing people
to water’s edge.
EPO-1.2 Work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to keep wetlands mitigation within the Gallatin Valley rather than locating to other watersheds.
EPO-1.3 Inclusion of community gardens as part of open spaces outside of watercourses and wetlands in subdivisions is encouraged where there are good soils.
Goal EPO-2: Prioritize strategic acquisition of parks to provide a variety of recreational
opportunities throughout the City.
EPO-2.1 Coordinate the location of new and future parks to create opportunities for larger and more functional parks. Prioritize quality locations and features in parks over quantity of parks.
EPO-2.2 Collaborate with partner agencies and organizations to establish sustainable funding
sources for ongoing acquisition, construction, and operations of City parks and open space.
EPO-2.3 Incorporate unique recreational and artistic elements into parks.
EPO-2.4 Research and implement multi-use features within parks to promote increased use and visitation.
EPO-2.5 Work with partner organizations to identify and reduce impacts on at-risk, environmentally
sensitive areas that contribute to water quality, wildlife corridors, and wildlife habitat.
EPO-2.6 Upon completion of an update to the City’s park master plan, review standards of the UDC for adequacy and update as needed to coordinate with development review standards and practices.
Goal EPO-3: Address climate change in the City’s plans and operations.
EPO-3.1 Ensure complete streets and identify long-term resources for year-round bike and multi-use paths’ maintenance to improve utilization and reduce annual per capita vehicle miles traveled.
EPO-3.2 Support development of maintenance standards including sidewalk clearing, sidewalk
surfaces, bike lanes, and procedures for consistent implementation.
EPO-3.3 Support water conservation, use of native plants in landscaping, and development of water reuse systems.
EPO-3.4 Review and update landscape and open space standards for public and private open
spaces to reduce water use and or reuse systems.
EPO-3.5 Update land development standards to implement the Integrated Water Resources Plan.
EPO-3.6 Review and revise stormwater standards to address changing storm profiles.
PLANNING BOARD REVIEW DRAFT, 26 NOVEMBER 2019 25
EPO-3.7 Review and update development regulations to
implement facility and service plans when those plans
are updated.
EPO-3.8 In coordination with the sustainability division, provide public education on energy conservation and diversified power generation alternatives.
EPO-3.9 Integrate climate change considerations in development
standards.
Goal EPO-4: Promote uses of the natural environment that
maintain and improve habitat, water quantity, and water
quality, while giving due consideration to the impact of these
regulations on economic viability.
EPO-4.1 Eliminate reliance on private maintenance of public
infrastructure, including public parks, trail systems, and
stormwater facilities. Identify a sustainable and reliable public funding source for this infrastructure.
EPO-4.2 Update regulations that protect the environment.
EPO-4.3 Pursue an inter-jurisdictional effort to establish
baseline information on air quality trends and enhance
monitoring facilities.
EPO-4.4 Collaborate with other Montana cities working with regulatory agencies to establish fair and technologically feasible water treatment standards.
EPO-4.5 Identify, prioritize, and preserve key habitat and wildlife
connectivity.
EPO-4.6 Complete the update for an integrated Hazard Management and Mitigation Plan.
OTHER RELEVANT PLANS
Integrated Water Resources Plan
– 2013
Integrated Water Resources
Implementation Plan – 2013
Stormwater Management Plan
(City of Bozeman and MSU) –
2019
Stormwater Facilities Plan – 2008
Wastewater Collection Facilities
Plan Update – 2015
Water Facility Plan Update – 2017
Drought Management Plan –
2017
Parks, Recreation, Open Space,
and Trails (PROST) Plan – 2007
Community Climate Action Plan –
2011 (currently being updated:
Urban Forestry Management Plan
– 2016
Cemetery Master Plan Update –
2018
Bozeman Creek Enhancement
Plan – 2012
26 CITY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNITY PLAN
THEME 4 | A CITY THAT PRIORITIZES ACCESSIBILITY AND
MOBILITY CHOICES
Our City fosters the close proximity of housing, services, and jobs, and provides
safe, efficient mobility for pedestrians, cyclists, transit users, and drivers.
IMPORTANCE
High levels of access to mobility options supports a healthy and active community, sustainability, and
economic development. Safety strategies for all users that incorporate road and pedestrian crossing
design, as well as proper design speeds and posted speed limits should be further investigated.
A thoughtful multimodal system provides residents and visitors with a wide range of options to get
around the City, as well as enhance safety throughout to encourage continued and increased use of
alternatives to traditional motor vehicle transportation. As technologies continue to evolve, the City will
be able to offer even more ways to get around the City and its neighborhoods in a safe, efficient manner
and further enhance its high quality of life.
PLANNING BOARD REVIEW DRAFT, 26 NOVEMBER 2019 27
THIS DIAGRAM IS FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES, AND IS CONCEPTUAL ONLY.
28 CITY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNITY PLAN
GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND ACTIONS
Goal M-1: Ensure multimodal accessibility.
M-1.1 Prioritize mixed-use land use patterns. Encourage and
enable the development of housing, jobs, and services
in close proximity.
M-1.2 Make transportation investment decisions that recognize active transportation modes and transit as a priority.
M-1.3 Develop service standard levels for multimodal travel.
M-1.4 Develop safe, connected, and complementary transportation networks for pedestrians, bicyclists, and other personal mobility devices (bicycles, e-bikes, electric scooters, powered wheelchairs, etc.).
M-1.5 Identify locations for key mobility hubs (e.g. rideshare
drop off/ pick up areas, bike/scooter share, transit service, bike, and pedestrian connections).
M-1.6 Integrate consideration of autonomous vehicles, rideshare, and other mobility choices into community
planning regulations.
M-1.7 Encourage development of a trunk network, connecting high-frequency, priority transit services to major commercial nodes. Coincide with increased density.
M-1.8 Establish standards and procedures for placement of
bus shelters in City rights of way.
M-1.9 Prioritize and construct key bicycle infrastructure connections and enhancements with emphasis on completing network connectivity.
M-1.10 In conjunction with the transportation plan, work to
develop a core network of “AAA” (appropriate for all
ages and abilities) bike routes covering at least 75 percent of households and 75 percent of jobs within ½ mile of the network.
M-1.11 Prioritize and construct key sidewalk connections and
enhancements.
M-1.12 Undertake an expanded parking management study to investigate and provide strategies (e.g. paid parking; time-limited parking; additional parking structures; drop-off and pickup areas; park and ride facilities) and where
the strategies may be appropriately used.
PLANNING BOARD REVIEW DRAFT, 26 NOVEMBER 2019 29
M-1.13 Work with community partners to expand the Main
Street to Mountains network and integrate the larger
community recreational travel network.
Goal M-2: Ensure multimodal safety.
M-2.1 Work with Public Works, Police, and other partners to
provide education on safe travel behaviors and rules.
M-2.2 Review and, as appropriate, update the City’s complete streets policy.
M-2.3 Work with School District #7 and other community partners in planning and operating safe routes to local
schools.
M-2.4 Encourage the design of school sites to support walking and biking.
M-2.5 Build streets that prioritize the safety of users.
OTHER RELEVANT PLANS
Transportation Master Plan –
2017
Downtown Strategic Parking
Management Plan – 2016
Bozeman Community
Transportation Safety Plan – 2013
30 CITY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNITY PLAN
THEME 5 | A CITY POWERED BY ITS CREATIVE, INNOVATIVE,
AND ENTREPRENEURIAL ECONOMY
Our City, and all residents benefit from an expanding economy that is powered
by educational development, strong regional partnerships, job creation, talent
retention, and support for local businesses.
IMPORTANCE
Bozeman enjoys a diverse and expanding economy. The City benefits immensely from the talent
generated by Montana State University, existing vibrant and growing businesses, and close proximity to
Yellowstone National Park. In addition, the internet, and other technological developments, have made
highly sophisticated service work available to be performed almost anywhere.
PLANNING BOARD REVIEW DRAFT, 26 NOVEMBER 2019 31
THIS DIAGRAM IS FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES, AND IS CONCEPTUAL ONLY.
32 CITY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNITY PLAN
GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND ACTIONS
Goal EE-1: Promote the continued development of Bozeman
as an innovative and thriving economic center.
EE-1.1 Support the goals and objectives outlined in the Bozeman Economic Development Strategy.
EE-1.2 Invest in infrastructure projects identified in the capital improvement Plan (CIP) that will strengthen business
and higher education communities.
EE-1.3 Continue to facilitate live/work opportunities as a way to support small, local businesses in all zoning districts.
EE-1.4 Support employee retention and attraction efforts by encouraging continued development of attainable
housing.
EE-1.5 Support expansion of current and emerging infrastructure technologies including fiber optic service and other communication infrastructure.
EE-1.6 Update the zoning map to correct deficiencies identified
in the annual land use inventory report.
Goal EE-2: Survey and revise land use planning and
regulations to promote and support economic diversification
efforts.
EE-2.1 Ensure the future land use map contains adequate areas of land for anticipated diverse users.
EE-2.2 Review and revise, or possibly replace, the Business Park Mixed Use zoning district to include urban
standards and consider possible alterations to the allowed uses.
PLANNING BOARD REVIEW DRAFT, 26 NOVEMBER 2019 33
OTHER RELEVANT PLANS
Economic Development Strategy
Update – 2016
Transportation Master Plan –
2017
Wastewater Collection Facilities
Plan Update –2015
Water Facility Plan Update – 2017
34 CITY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNITY PLAN
THEME 6 | A CITY ENGAGED IN REGIONAL COORDINATION
Our City, in partnership with Gallatin County, Montana State University, and
other regional authorities, addresses the needs of a rapidly growing and changing
population through strategic infrastructure choices and thoughtful decision-
making.
IMPORTANCE
Decisions made by individual agencies have impacts beyond the borders of their jurisdictions. Conflicting
decisions create complications and uncertainty for the citizens. Coordinated and cooperative decisions
with neighboring communities and the County lessen conflicts, better advance shared priorities, and can
substantially reduce tax burdens as the region continues to grow and its infrastructure and economy
become increasingly linked.
PLANNING BOARD REVIEW DRAFT, 26 NOVEMBER 2019 35
THIS DIAGRAM IS FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES, AND IS CONCEPTUAL ONLY.
36 CITY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNITY PLAN
GOALS, OBJECTIVES AND ACTIONS
Goal RC-1: Increase communication, and coordination with Gallatin County, the City of
Belgrade, and other regional public entities regarding community planning and associated
matters.
RC-1.1 Consider regional impacts when making policy decisions affecting areas outside the City.
RC-1.2 Coordinate planning activities to promote consistency throughout the region for parks,
transportation, bus service, and other community infrastructure.
RC-1.3 Research, understand, and collaboratively construct infrastructure and transportation improvements that benefit the region.
RC-1.4 Participate in regularly scheduled coordination meetings with Gallatin County and the City
of Belgrade planning departments and boards to coordinate planning issues.
RC-1.5 Complete the Triangle Policy Plan and coordinate between Bozeman, Belgrade, and Gallatin County.
RC-1.6 Prepare for establishment of a Metropolitan Planning Organization, anticipated to be required after the completion of the 2020 US Census.
Goal RC-2: Continue and build on successful collaboration with Gallatin County, neighboring
municipalities, and other agencies to identify and mitigate potential hazards and develop
coordinated response Plans.
RC-2.1 Work to discourage development in environmentally-sensitive or hazard-prone areas.
RC-2.2 Identify effective, affordable, and regionally-appropriate hazard mitigation techniques through the Gallatin County Hazard Mitigation and Community Wildfire Protection Plan and
other tools. As a group, annually review the Gallatin County Hazard Mitigation Plan, and determine the need for updates and enhancements.
RC-2.3 Along with non-profit and agency partners, identify, map, and utilize geographic information systems (GIS) data to locate and monitor developments on environmentally sensitive and hazard-prone areas.
RC-2.4 Encourage review of land use regulations and standards that affect the wildland urban interface (WUI) to provide adequate public safety measures, mitigate impacts on public health, and encourage fiscal responsibility.
RC-2.5 Through coordination with non-profit and agency partners, identify and prioritize key areas for acquisition or conservation easement to lessen development in environmentally
sensitive areas and/or preserve areas consistent with the other priorities of this growth policy.
Goal RC-3: Collaborate with Gallatin County regarding annexation and development patterns
adjacent to the City to provide certainty for landowners and taxpayers.
RC-3.1 Establish standard practices for sharing development application information and
exchanging comments between the City and County.
PLANNING BOARD REVIEW DRAFT, 26 NOVEMBER 2019 37
RC-3.2 Develop shared information on development processes.
RC-3.3 Prioritize annexations that enable the incremental
expansion of the City and its utilities.
RC-3.4 Work with Gallatin County to keep rural areas rural and maintain a clear edge to urban development that evolves as the City expands outwards.
RC-3.5 Establish interlocal agreements, when appropriate, to
formalize working relationships and procedures.
RC-3.6 Provide education and information on the value and benefits of annexation, including existing un-annexed pockets surrounding the ty, to individual landowners
and the community at large.
RC-3.7 Encourage annexation of land adjacent to the City prior to development and annexation of wholly surrounded areas.
RC-3.8 Work with Gallatin County to create compact,
contiguous development and infill to achieve an
efficient use of land and infrastructure, reducing sprawl and preserving open space, agricultural lands, wildlife habitat, and water resources.
Goal RC-4: Ensure that all City actions support continued
development of the City, consistent with its adopted Plans
and standards.
RC-4.1 Enhance collaboration between City agencies to ensure quality design and innovation across public and private areas.
RC-4.2 Further develop reasonable and relevant metrics for
community development within the City’s Planning Area
to determine whether the intent of this Plan is being accomplished.
RC-4.3 Prioritize human well-being and health in the creation and implementation of land development standards.
RC-4.4 Update the Unified Development Code (UDC) to:
• Implement a twice-yearly code revision cycle. Identify
and make revisions to optimize the UDC current
conditions.
• Incorporate development minimums in designated
growth areas.
• Revise the zoning map to harmonize with the future
land use map.
OTHER RELEVANT PLANS
Bozeman Strategic Plan – 2018
Water Facility Plan Update – 2017
Wastewater Collection Facilities
Plan Update – 2015
Fire and EMS Master Plan – 2017
Gallatin County Hazard Mitigation
Plan and Community Wildfire
Protection Plan (Draft) – 2019
Gallatin Triangle Planning Study
– 2014
Triangle Community Plan (in
development)
THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.
PLANNING BOARD REVIEW DRAFT, 26 NOVEMBER 2019 39
03
03 | FUTURE LAND USE
IMPORTANCE
Part of Bozeman’s appeal is its distinct character. Its character comes from the natural setting and also
includes the sense of place created by constructed landmarks such as Downtown and the MSU campus.
Preserving Bozeman as a unique place rather than “Anywhere, USA” is important. There is increasing
evidence that sense of place is an important influence on economic development and overall community
health.
Bozeman’s physical landscape provides residents and visitors variety when moving amongst its streets,
bike paths, and trails. This variety is often noted as an important part of Bozeman’s unique character –
to experience open, agricultural and recreational spaces just minutes from dense, urban corridors from
40 CITY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNITY PLAN
the seat of a bike or car, the bus, or when walking. As Bozeman continues to evolve, promoting this
landscape diversity will be important to maintaining the “Bozeman feel” that people know and love.
Community development oriented on centers of employment and activity shorten travel distances and
encourage multi-modal transportation, increase business synergies, and permit greater efficiencies in the
delivery of public services.
City activities all require continuous thoughtfulness and planning. Capital improvements, maintenance
programs, and plan implementation tools must be regularly evaluated and updated. Ensuring a
consistent set of guiding principles provides a higher level of service to citizens, minimizes contradictory
or conflicting policies that waste resources, and enable a more accurate evaluation of public policies.
All of these are reflected in and shaped by the way land is used. The character of our well-planned City
is defined by urban edges, a varied skyline, centers of employment and activity, pedestrian-friendly
streetscapes, and easy access to the natural world. The land use map sets generalized expectations for
what goes where in the community. Each category has its own descriptions and understanding the future
land use map is not possible without also reading the category descriptions. Each category description
can be implemented by multiple zoning districts.
PLANNING BOARD REVIEW DRAFT, 26 NOVEMBER 2019 41
LAND USE DESCRIPTIONS FOR USE ON THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP
The Future Land Use Map for the Planning Area is an indispensable part of this Plan. It utilizes eight
land use categories to illustrate and guide the intent, type of use, density, and intensity of future
development. Although Gallatin County has final approval authority on land development outside the
City of Bozeman, land annexed by the City is under the City’s authority. The City has adopted facility
plans that enable coordination with Gallatin County. If one or more intergovernmental agreements (IGAs)
are developed that address areas outside City limits, development would need to meet the terms of all
relevant agreements. While the land use categories are not regulatory, each description also identifies
appropriate zoning categories that implement the intent. The categories are as follows:
1. URBAN NEIGHBORHOOD.
This category primarily includes urban density homes in a variety of shapes, sizes, and intensities. Large areas
of any single type of housing are discouraged. In limited instances, an area may develop at a lower gross
density due to site constraints and/or natural features such as floodplains or steep slopes. Complementary
uses such as parks, home-based occupations, fire stations, churches, schools, and some neighborhood-
serving commerce provide activity centers for community gathering and services. The Urban Neighborhood
designation indicates that that development is expected to occur within municipal boundaries. This may
require annexation prior to development.
Applying a zoning district to specific parcels sets the required and allowed density. Higher density residential
areas are encouraged in proximity to commercial mixed use areas to facilitate the provision of services and
employment opportunities without requiring the use of a car.
42 CITY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNITY PLAN
2. RESIDENTIAL MIXED USE.
This category promotes neighborhoods substantially dominated by housing, yet integrated with small-scale
commercial and civic uses. The housing can include attached and small detached single-unit dwellings,
apartments, and live-work units. Residences should be included on the upper floors of buildings with ground
floor commercial uses. Variation in building mass, height, and other design characteristics should contribute to
a complete and interesting streetscape.
Secondary supporting uses, such as retail, office, and civic uses, are permitted on the ground floor. All uses
should complement existing and planned residential uses. Non-residential uses are expected to be pedestrian
oriented and emphasize the human scale with modulation in larger structures. Stand alone, large, non-
residential uses are discouraged. Non-residential spaces should provide an interesting pedestrian experience
with quality urban design for buildings, sites, and open spaces.
This category is appropriate near commercial centers. Larger areas should have access on collector and
arterial streets. Multi-unit, higher density, urban development is expected. Any development within this
category should have a well-integrated transportation and open space network that encourages pedestrian
activity and provides ready-access within and adjacent development.
PLANNING BOARD REVIEW DRAFT, 26 NOVEMBER 2019 43
3. COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL MIXED USE.
The Community Commercial Mixed Use category promotes commercial areas necessary for economic health
and vibrancy. This includes professional and personal services, retail, education, health services, offices,
public administration, and tourism establishments. Density is expected to be higher than it is currently in
most commercial areas in Bozeman and should include multi-story buildings. Residences on upper floors,
in appropriate circumstances, are encouraged. Urban streetscapes, plazas, outdoor seating, public art, and
hardscaped open space and park amenities are anticipated. This will appropriately design for urban character.
High density residential areas are expected in close proximity.
Developments in this land use area should be located on one or two quadrants of intersections of the arterial
and/or collector streets and integrated with transit and non-automotive routes. Due to past development
patterns, there are also areas along major streets where this category is organized as a corridor rather than a
center. Although a broad range of uses may be appropriate in both types of locations, the size and scale is to
be smaller within the local service areas. Building and site designs made to support easy reuse of the building
and site over time is important. Mixed use areas should be developed in an integrated, pedestrian friendly
manner and should not be overly dominated by any single use. Higher intensity uses are encouraged in the
core of the area or adjacent to significant streets and intersections. Building height transitions may be required
for compatibility with adjacent development.
44 CITY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNITY PLAN
4. COMMUNITY CORE.
The traditional core of Bozeman is its historic downtown, both along Main Street and along adjacent
streets. This area has an extensive mutually supportive variety of uses, strong pedestrian and multimodal
transportation network, and rich architectural character. Essential government services, places of public
assembly, and open spaces provide the civic and social core of the City. Residential and office development
on upper floors is well established. New residential uses should be high density. The area along Main Street
is a place for high pedestrian activity uses with strong pedestrian connectivity to other uses on nearby
streets. Users are drawn from the entire Planning Area and beyond. The intensity of development is high.
Future development should continue to be intense while providing areas of transition to adjacent areas and
preserving the historic character of Main Street.
5. REGIONAL COMMERCIAL AND SERVICES.
Regionally significant developments in this land use category may be developed with physically large
and economically prominent facilities requiring substantial infrastructure and location near significant
transportation facilities. Due to the scale of these developments, location and transition between lower-
density uses is important. Residential space should not be a primary use and should be located above the
first floor to maintain land availability for necessary services. Development within this category needs well-
integrated utilities, transportation, and open space networks that encourage pedestrian activity and provide
ready-access within and adjacent development. Large community scale areas in this land use category
are generally 75 acres or larger and are activity centers for several surrounding square miles. These are
intended to service the overall community as well as adjacent neighborhoods and are typically distributed by
a one-to-two mile separation. Smaller neighborhood scale areas are intended to provide local service to an
area of approximately one-half mile to one mile radius as well as passersby. Densities of nearby residential
development need to support this scale with an average of 14 - 22 dwellings per net acre. These smaller
centers support and help give identity to neighborhoods by providing a visible and distinct focal point as well
as employment and services.
PLANNING BOARD REVIEW DRAFT, 26 NOVEMBER 2019 45
6. INDUSTRIAL.
This classification provides areas for manufacturing, warehousing, technology industries, and transportation
hubs. Development within these areas is intensive and is connected to significant transportation corridors.
Uses that would be harmed by industrial activities are discouraged from locating in these areas. Although use
in these areas is intense, they are part of the larger community and standards for architecture and site design
apply. In some circumstances, uses other than those typically considered industrial have been historically
present in areas that were given an industrial designation in prior growth policies. Careful consideration must
be given to public policies to allow these mixed uses to coexist in harmony.
7. OPEN SPACE, PUBLIC LANDS, AND INSTITUTIONS.
A variety of activities are focused in this land use classification. Schools are a dominant use, including Montana
State University. Other typical uses are libraries, fire stations, and private and publicly operated utilities. A
significant portion of Bozeman’s employment occurs within this category. Many different zoning districts
overlay this category. As opportunity presents, such zoning should be changed to Public Lands and Institutions.
All publicly owned recreational lands, including parks, are also included within this category. These areas are
generally open in character and may or may not be developed for active recreational purposes. This category
also includes private property such as land with a conservation easement, land owned by homeowners
associations, or golf courses that may not be open to the public without owner permission. Parks occur at a
range of scales from local lots to regional parks. Many parks are located, sized, and constructed as part of the
development process and; therefore, future parks are not shown in this category, as their locations are not yet
determined. As the growth policy is updated, developed parks will be shown in this category. The service area
for each type of park is set by the City’s overall park master plan. Due to the diversity of zoning applicable to
this category, and as there are few structures intended in this area, no descriptive information is provided. For
information on recommended park sizing and characteristics see the City’s Park Facility Plan.
46 CITY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNITY PLAN
CORRELATION WITH ZONING
Applicable zoning categories are shown in relation to each future land use category in the below table.
Implementing Zoning Districts
Plan Category R-SR-1R-2R-3R-4R-5R-OREMURMHB-1B-2B-2MB-3UMUM-1M-2BPNEHMUPLI1. Urban Neighborhood ●●●●●●●●
2. Residential Mixed Use ●●●●●●●
3. Community Commercial Mixed Use ●●●●●●●
4. Community Core ●●●
5. Regional Commercial and Services ●●●●
6. Industrial ●●●●●
7. Open Space, Public Lands, and Institutions ●
8. No City Services*
* This classification by no means suggests the City does not want the property to develop, rather it simply states city services are not available or currently planned over the term of this Plan to serve urban development.
8. NO CITY SERVICES.
This category designates areas where development is considered inappropriate over the 20-year planning
horizon of this growth policy because of natural features, negative impacts on the desired development
pattern, or difficulty providing urban services. As a result, the City does not anticipate building infrastructure
to serve these lands at any time during the Planning Period. As the City’s growth policy is updated some areas
currently classified as No City Services may be reclassified.
Suburban or rural density subdivisions in these areas are discouraged because they impede an orderly and
cost effective expansion of the City.
Sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin, Intermap, increment P Corp., GEBCO, USGS, FAO, NPS, NRCAN, GeoBase, IGN, Kadaster NL, Ordnance Survey, Esri Japan, METI, Esri China (Hong Kong), (c) OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS UserCommunity
Major Roads
Current City Limits
Growth Policy Boundary (Proposed)
Community Plan Future Land Use
Urban Neighborhood
Residential Mixed Use
Community Commercial Mixed Use
Community Core
Regional Commercial and Services
Industrial
Open Space, Public Lands, and Institutions
No City Services
1.5 0 1.50.75 Miles ¯
THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP
Due to the large scale of the map, any useful review will require
access to its digital version which can be expanded to show
details. The City’s web viewer displays the most current digital
version of the map at all times. It is available at https://gisweb.
bozeman.net/Html5Viewer/?viewer=planning.
Outward development of the City is strongly connected to
locations of municipal water and sewer systems. The City has
planned for eventual utility services to the Planning Area. The
inset map at right shows the location of current City boundaries
and where utility services are presently available. New
development regularly expands this area.
Many mapping resources for utilities, land use, zoning, parks,
transportation, floodplains, and other land use related subjects
are available through the City’s web portal at https://www.
bozeman.net/government/gis-mapping.
THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.
PLANNING BOARD REVIEW DRAFT, 26 NOVEMBER 2019 49
04 | IMPLEMENTATION
IMPORTANCE
The Plan is intended to be a living document used daily by the City. Monitoring determines how well the
City’s initial objectives are working, where they can be improved, and what is not working. Monitoring
will take place at specified intervals based on information availability. Measuring the Plan’s efficacy (or
outcomes) is a main tenant of the Plan and; therefore, successful implementation of the Plan requires
monitoring.
A series of indicators have been identified for each theme, in order to track progress and setbacks. For
example, one indicator under the neighborhoods-based theme addresses housing stock diversity, looks
at square footage, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and taxable value. A diverse housing stock
is indicative of a City that is more accessible and affordable to those of all incomes.
04
50 CITY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNITY PLAN
SHORT-TERM ACTION LIST
This Plan identifies many actions and objectives to address the listed goals. Many actions are ongoing
activities. Some are specific shorter term actions to implement this Plan. The following list is drawn from
those shorter term actions listed in Chapter 2.
1. Review increasing required minimum densities in residential districts.
2. Evaluate design standards. Buildings are to be capable of serving an initial residential purpose and
be readily converted to commercial uses when adequate market support for commercial services
exists.
3. Identify missing links in the multimodal system, prioritize those most beneficial to complete, and
pursue funding for completion of those links.
4. Evaluate parking requirements and methods of providing parking as part of the overall
transportation system for and between districts.
5. Update the UDC to reflect density increases or minimums within key districts.
6. Evaluate revisions to maximum building height limits in multi-household, commercial, industrial, and
mixed-use zoning districts to account for revised building methods, building code changes, and the
effect of incremental changes on meeting goals of this plan.
7. Update land development standards to implement the Integrated Water Resources Plan.
8. Develop service standard levels for multimodal travel.
9. Prepare for establishment of a Metropolitan Planning Organization, anticipated to be required after
the completion of the 2020 US Census.
10. Establish standard practices for sharing development application information and exchanging
comments between the City and County.
11. Revise the zoning map to harmonize with the future land use map.
MONITORING AND UPDATES
Tracking and monitoring the Plan’s intent is critical. Each theme has one or more identified indicators,
which use data to measure success towards the goal. Each indicator listed below identifies a source—
where the data should be drawn, frequency—defines how often the data is available, and notes
describing key considerations.
The development of indicators require the City to establish where we are now in relation to each
indicator. This provides a baseline from which to track changes over time. Indicators were selected to
be replicable, effective, and where possible, of a similar scope and nature for indicators with peer cities.
A target, or where we want to go, will be established for each indicator. In some cases the process
of setting a target will itself require substantial effort. The targets listed below are to give a general
indication of intended trend and further refinement will follow. If an indicator shows over time that the
City is getting farther from rather than closer to the intended target it may be necessary to modify
targets, policies, or standards. The process for revising the growth policy is described in Chapter 5.
Development of specific targets for each indicator should be completed within a year of adoption of
the Plan. After that first year, an annual report on the status of each indicator should be provided to the
community.
PLANNING BOARD REVIEW DRAFT, 26 NOVEMBER 2019 51
A City of Neighborhoods
Indicator Source Frequency Notes Current
Status
Target
Commercial Accessibility City of Bozeman, GIS Annually Percent of residents/households within one mile of commercial activity
Increase
Housing Cost Burden US Census, ACS Annually Percentage of households spend-ing more than 30% of income on housing costs
Lower
Housing Stock Diversity State of Montana Department of Revenue
Real-time data analyzed and published annu-ally
Square footage, number of beds, and number of baths, normalized by taxable market value
Maintain or increase
Intersection Density City of Bozeman, GIS Annually Trail networks may be considered in addition to roadways Maintain or increase
Population Density US Census Annually Increase
Residential Density State of Montana, Department of Revenue
Real-time data analyzed and published annu-ally
Gross dwelling units per acre of residentially-zoned and devel-oped land by zoning district
Increase
Walk Score Walk Score®Annually Ability to meet basic needs within walking distance Increase
A City Bolstered by Downtown and Complementary Districts
Indicator Source Frequency Notes Current
Status
Target
Commute Mode Share US Census, ACS Annually Increase
Development vs. Redevelopment City of Bozeman, CDD Real-time Development within subdivisions platted more than and less than 35 years ago
Increase redevelop-ment
Residential Units City of Bozeman, BD Real-time Number of residential units added as compared to overall job growth (district vs. Citywide)
Increase
A City Influenced by Our Natural Environment, Parks, and Open Space
Indicator Source Frequency Notes Current
Status
Target
Air Quality City of Bozeman, SD Real-time Climate Action Plan coordination – efficient land use patterns and construction
Maintain
Greenhouse Gas Emissions City of Bozeman, SD Annually Climate Action Plan coordination – efficient land use patterns and construction
Reduce
Park Accessibility City of Bozeman, GIS Real-time Percentage of residents/house-holds within walking distance to open space or trails.
Increase
Vehicle Miles Traveled MDOT Annually Per capita Reduce
52 CITY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNITY PLAN
A City that Prioritizes Accessibility and Mobility Choices
Indicator Source Frequency Notes Current
Status
Target
Bike Accessibility Bozeman Area Bicycle Advisory Board
Annually Percentage of jobs and residents within ½-mile of an All Ages & Abilities (AAA) route. AAA/LTS 1: protected facility or low-speed, low volume road, e.g. buffered bike lane, cycle track, bicycle boulevard
Increase
Bike and Pedestrian Safety NHTSA– Fatality Analysis Report-ing System (FARS)
Annually Annual fatal and severe injuries Decrease
Transit Accessibility Streamline Bi-Annually Percentage of jobs and residents within ¼-mile of a bus route or ½-mile of a high frequency ex-press service route, and exclud-ing routes with headways greater than 30 minutes
Increase
Traffic Safety NHTSA–Fatality Analysis Report-ing System (FARS)
Annually Annual fatal and severe injuries Decrease
A City Powered by its Creative, Innovative, and Entrepreneurial Economy
Indicator Source Frequency Notes Current
Status
Target
Land Use Availability City of Bozeman, Community De-velopment Divi-sion, GIS Division
Annually Availability of land not for eco-nomic activity based on annual land use inventory
Maintain
A City Engaged in Regional Coordination
Indicator Source Frequency Notes Current
Status
Target
Acres Wholly Surrounded but Unannexed City of Bozeman, GIS Division Annually Number of acres of annexations of land wholly surrounded by the City but unannexed (i.e. enclaves)
Reduce
City Expansion City of Boze-man, Commu-nity Development Division; Gallatin County Planning Staff
Annually Number of projects within the Planning Area but outside of City limits that conform to adopted interlocal agreements
Maintain
Implement the Triangle Plan Planning Coordi-nating Committee Annually Plan is in review Increase
PLANNING BOARD REVIEW DRAFT, 26 NOVEMBER 2019 53
05
05 | AMENDMENTS + REVIEW
PLAN AMENDMENTS
NEED FOR BALANCE
A growth policy must balance consistency with responsiveness to the needs of the community. If the
policy is not consistent, it will have little value as a planning tool, nor provide an adequate basis for
implementation actions, nor have the confidence of the community.
If the policy is not responsive, policies and actions are continued that no longer address community
needs, and less than optimal guidance for future actions is provided.
This Plan was prepared based on information and circumstances as understood at this time. The nature
of planning for the future is imprecise. As situations change it is important that the Plan be reviewed, and
54 CITY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNITY PLAN
when necessary updated, to accommodate future
events.
State law requires review and consideration of the
need for amendments through Section 76-1-601(3)
(f), of the Montana Code Annotated which reads:
“(f) an implementation strategy that includes:
(i) a timetable for implementing the growth policy;
(ii) a list of conditions that will lead to a revision of
the growth policy; and
(iii) a timetable for reviewing the growth policy at
least once every 5 years and revising the policy if
necessary;”
Assumptions regarding population growth, land
use, and other subjects are necessarily embedded
in the Plan. Significant changes in the rates or the
interaction of these items necessitate a review
of the Plan, although a review may find that no
changes are needed. Reviews, if properly done,
will help to ensure that the information upon which
the Plan is based remains accurate and timely and
that the goals and objectives of the Plan reflect
the desires of the community.
Evaluating the existing growth policy text and
maps is an essential part of any review. New
inventory maps should be made available for
consideration during the review process if the
new map would display materially changed
information. When updated baseline information
has been prepared, the review should consider
the review triggers presented below. Periodic
formal and informal review of the implementation
policies as well as the growth policies themselves
are desirable.
REVIEW TRIGGERS, AMENDMENTS, AND AMENDMENT CRITERIA
REVIEW TRIGGERS
The following events require a formal review of
the plan:
12. Passage of five years since adoption of the
Plan by the City Commission.
If a review of the plan is required it should
consider:
1. Are the community’s goals current and valid?
2. Have the community conditions or legal
framework materially changed?
3. Where have problems appeared since the
last review?
4. Does the Plan meet the current needs of the
community?
5. Can this Plan be modified to better serve the
needs and desires of the community?
This Plan provides progress indicators as
described in Chapter 4. The annual review of
those indicators may inspire interest in conducting
a review prior to the required five year period.
Amendment Process
The Bozeman Community Plan was formed on
the basis of significant community outreach
efforts and the input of many persons and
groups. Alterations, whether as the result of
a review as triggered above or as another
reason, to the growth policy must provide a
significant opportunity for public participation
and understanding of the proposed changes.
Amendments to the growth policy must meet the
same statutory standards as the original adoption.
Therefore, prior to the adoption of any
amendment to the Plan, a public process must be
provided. A fundamental requirement for public
participation is time for individuals to become
aware of proposed amendments and to study
the proposed changes. A minimum active public
review period of three months is to be expected.
This Plan has been prepared to balance a wide
variety of interests. Changes to the Plan must
continue the balance of needs and interests.
This Plan has been prepared to be internally
consistent. Internal consistency meets one of the
fundamental purposes of community planning—
coordination between government programs
PLANNING BOARD REVIEW DRAFT, 26 NOVEMBER 2019 55
and policies. All amendments must be carefully
evaluated to ensure that changes do not create
conflicts between goals, maps, or implementation
tools. If a proposed amendment would cause
conflicts within the Plan, additional amendments
must be identified and reviewed so that any
conflicts are resolved.
Any changes being proposed to either the
text or the maps contained in the Bozeman
Community Plan must comply with all of the
defined criteria shown below. The burden of proof
for the desirability of a proposed amendment
and its compliance with the criteria lies with the
applicant. Unless all criteria are successfully met
by demonstrable facts, an amendment may not be
approved.
WHO MAY INITIATE AMENDMENTS
1. City Commission; independently or at the
suggestion of the Planning Board or the City
Staff
2. One or more landowner of property that are
the subject of the amendment to the future
land use map
3. Interested members of the public may
suggest modifications to the text
AMENDMENT CRITERIA
When an amendment to either the text of the Plan
or the future land use map is requested it must be
reviewed against the following criteria:
1. The proposed amendment must cure a
deficiency in the growth policy, or improve
the growth policy, to better respond to the
needs of the general community;
2. The proposed amendment does not create
inconsistencies within the growth policy,
either between the goals and the maps or
between different goals and objectives.
3. The proposed amendment must be
consistent with the overall intent of the
growth policy;
4. The proposed amendment may not
adversely affect the community as a whole
or significant portion by:
a. Significantly altering land use patterns
and principles in a manner contrary to
those established by this Plan,
b. Requiring unmitigated improvements
to streets, water, sewer, or other public
facilities or services, thereby impacting
development of other lands,
c. Adversely impacting existing uses
because of unmitigated impacts on
facilities and services, or
d. Negatively affecting the livability of the
area or the health and safety of the
residents.
56 CITY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNITY PLAN
SUBDIVISION REVIEW
Subdivisions set the “bones” for a community
by establishing the locations for roads, parks,
and lots for development. How a subdivision is
designed and reviewed can impact Bozeman’s
citizens for many years to come. Review must be
fair to all, allow for identification and resolution of
concerns, and provide meaningful opportunities
for participation.
INTENT AND BACKGROUND
Local governments in Montana must review
proposed subdivisions. Section 76-3-101 et seq.
Montana Code Annotated governs the review
of subdivisions. Section 76-3-501 et seq. MCA
requires all municipal and county governments
to establish subdivision review regulations and
establishes the minimum requirements for those
regulations. In addition, Section 76-1-601 MCA
requires that a growth policy discuss and address
various elements of the subdivision review
process. This section meets the requirement. Title
76, Chapter 3 MCA contains the requirements
and restrictions upon both public and private
parties for subdivision review and platting. For full
information on this subject interested parties are
referred to Title 76, Montana Code Annotated, and
Division 38.240 Unified Development Code, City
of Bozeman municipal code.
Creation of a subdivision often precedes or
accompanies a change in the use of that land. A
subdivision generally remains in perpetuity and
continues to influence the location and intensity of
land uses within and adjacent to the subdivision.
Therefore, subdivisions are strongly connected
to the Planning process and may significantly
advance or hinder public goals. Because of this
strong influence all subdivisions must comply
with the Bozeman growth policy. The subdivision
regulations adopted by the City to direct and
govern the review and use of land conform to the
Bozeman growth policy.
REVIEW PARTICIPANTS
Many agencies and review bodies review
subdivisions. Reviews are conducted by each
agency as needed. The purpose of these reviews
is to verify compliance with law and identify
concerns which may require mitigation. These
entities may include, but are not limited to:
• City staff
• Recreation and Parks Advisory Board
• Private utilities such as power and
telecommunications
• Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks
• Montana Department of Transportation
• Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee
• Irrigation companies
• Planning Board
• Gallatin County
DEFINITIONS AND REVIEW PROCEDURES
This section defines the six state established
primary criteria for subdivision review and gives
an overview of how those criteria are used during
the review of subdivisions.
Agriculture
Agriculture is defined as: The cultivation or tilling
of soil or use of other growing medium for the
purpose of producing vegetative materials for sale
or for use in a commercial operation and/or the
raising or tending of animals for commercial sale
or use. Agriculture does not include gardening for
personal use, keeping of house pets or animals as
authorized under chapter 8 of the municipal code,
service animals as defined by the Americans
with Disabilities Act, or landscaping for aesthetic
purposes.
The following presumptions apply.
1. Property annexed or seeking to be annexed
within the depicted urban area shown on
the future land use map will generally not
be utilized for agricultural purposes over the
long term.
2. Agriculture may be appropriate within
the City in limited areas where physical
PLANNING BOARD REVIEW DRAFT, 26 NOVEMBER 2019 57
constraints make an area undesirable for the
construction of buildings, or in support of a
commercial business such as a Plant nursery
or a common community garden.
3. Urban density development within the City
of Bozeman facilitates the preservation of
agriculture in Gallatin County. It provides a
location for the development of residential
and employment activities in a compact and
efficient manner. This reduces pressure to
convert agricultural lands to non-agricultural
uses in the county.
4. Undeveloped lands within the City not
constrained by physical features should be
developed at urban densities. This enables
infill development and reduces outward
expansion of the City.
Agricultural Water User Facilities
Agricultural water user facilities are defined as:
Those facilities, which include but are not limited
to ditches, pipes, and other water-conveying
facilities, which provide water for irrigation and
stock watering on agricultural lands, with said
lands being defined in MCA 15-7-202
The following presumptions apply.
1. Agricultural uses are not generally urban
uses. The transition of agricultural lands
to urban uses will often remove the need
for agricultural water user facilities within
the urbanized area. Where a need for
protection due to ongoing use for water
conveyance can be demonstrated provision
for protection of the facility must be made.
2. The formal abandonment and removal of all
agricultural water user facilities within the
City must occur in accordance with Montana
law. Should the beneficial use cease in
the future an easement for protection of
agricultural water user facilities may be
removed.
3. The use of agricultural water user facilities
for storm water does not constitute
beneficial use for the purposes of
presumption 2 above unless agreed to
by the facility owner. Stormwater facilities
may require separate easements or other
procedures.
Local Services
Local Services means: All services provided by
governmental bodies for the benefit of citizens.
This includes, but is not limited to, police,
fire, water, recreation, streets, parks, libraries,
schools, wastewater, and solid waste collection
and disposal. Those criteria to which a specific
response and evaluation of impact must be made
are listed within the City subdivision regulations.
The following presumptions apply.
1. When the City assessed needs and means of
addressing those needs, subdividers will not
be required to duplicate that work without
good cause. If the City has completed
a portion of a required assessment the
subdivider may be required to submit
the remaining portion of the necessary
information.
2. Capacity and capability in local services
is limited. All development shall equitably
participate in providing adequate services
for itself, including replacement of consumed
reserve capacity. Development shall
meet levels of service and facility design
standards established by the City.
3. Response times, physical space within
facilities, compliance with applicable facility
Plans, and general design of local service
facilities within proposed subdivisions shall
be addressed during the preliminary plat
review and necessary mitigation provided.
4. Lack of adequate service capacity and
capability within local services is adequate
grounds for denial of subdivision approval
when impacts of proposed subdivisions are
not mitigated.
58 CITY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNITY PLAN
Effect on the Natural Environment
The natural environment is defined as: The
physical conditions which exist within a given
area, including land, water, mineral, flora, fauna,
noise, light, and objects of historic or aesthetic
significance.
The following presumptions apply.
1. The natural environment is fundamentally
linked with our economic development,
as an attraction to new and expanding
businesses, a tourist destination, and a basic
component of Bozeman’s character.
2. The natural environment should be
conserved and development should respect
significant natural features and systems.
Impacts to consider include road locations,
storm water treatment and discharges,
potential contamination of ground or surface
water, building placement, and others that
may be identified through subdivision,
zoning, data inventories, and other
implementation tools. Mitigation of negative
development impacts is required.
Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat
Wildlife means animals that are neither human,
domesticated, nor feral descendants of commonly
domesticated animals; and wildlife habitat means
the place or type of habitat where wildlife naturally
thrives. Habitat excludes areas developed for
human use or habitation including agriculture.
The following presumptions apply.
1. Lands within the designated urban area
are typically utilized for purposes which
reduce their value as wildlife habitat and
development will have a minor impact.
Watercourse corridors and wetlands are
an exception to this presumption. The
designated urban area is all lands except
[Present Rural] shown on the future land use
map.
2. The habitat needs of larger and/or predatory
wildlife species such as deer, moose, bears,
coyotes, or similar species will not be met
within urban density development and will
likely be in conflict with people. Therefore,
these types of animals are found to be
undesirable within the City boundaries.
3. Smaller species, especially birds,
are compatible within urban density
development and should be preserved,
including the encouragement of suitable
habitats.
4. High value wetlands, stream corridors,
and similar high value habitats should be
preserved in accordance with the City’s
adopted standards. These provide a variety
of recreational, environmental sustainability,
and safety values such as flood control as
well as habitat.
Public Health and Safety
Public health and safety means a condition of
optimal well-being, free from danger or injury, for a
community at large, as well as for an individual or
small group of persons.
The following presumptions apply.
1. Health is a comprehensive subject and
threats to health include chronic as well as
acute hazards.
2. Subdivision design should encourage
physical activity and a healthy community.
3. The creation of hazards to public health and
safety are not acceptable and appropriate
mitigation must be provided.
4. Some level of risk is present in all locations
and times despite efforts to prevent harm.
Individual developments are not solely
responsible for the correction of risks
which are common to all. They should
equitably participate in common solutions to
common problems. However, the presence
of common risks, such as inadequate
public services, may prevent approval of
a development until the hazard has been
removed or corrected. The developer of
a subdivision may not accept hazards to
public health and safety on behalf of future
PLANNING BOARD REVIEW DRAFT, 26 NOVEMBER 2019 59
residents or owners of a subdivision by
declaring that necessary infrastructure
improvements or other actions are
unnecessary.
PUBLIC HEARING PROCEDURES
An important part of the subdivision review
process is the opportunity to offer comments on
the proposal. Comments may be given by any
interested person. This opportunity is formally
provided by the public comment/hearing process.
Persons for, against, or merely seeking information
about the proposal may send written comments to
the City for transmittal to the appointed or elected
officials who review the subdivision, or speak
at a public hearing. The public hearing, when
one is required by state law, on a subdivision
proposal may be held by either the Planning
Board and/or the City Commission. Planning
Board recommends to the City Commission
regarding the proposed subdivision’s compliance
with the Bozeman Community Plan. Regardless of
which body holds a hearing a similar procedure is
required. Generally, the format for a subdivision
public hearing is as follows:
1. The public hearing will be advertised
as required by state law and Divisions
38.220 and 38.240 of the City of Bozeman
Municipal Code.
2. The public hearing will be conducted at the
time and place advertised.
3. A report on the project by the Department
of Community Development, including
an analysis of compliance with the Plan,
regulatory standards and a recommendation
of approval, denial, or approval with
conditions is given.
4. Presentation by applicant and applicant’s
representative(s).
5. Questions from the Commission or Planning
Board to staff or applicant.
6. The public hearing/comment is opened with
persons able to speak for, against, or to
seek additional information from applicant
or staff. A time limit may be established for
each speaker. The public is encouraged to
provide a factual basis for their support or
opposition to a subdivision and base their
comments on subdivision review criteria.
7. When all persons have had opportunity to
speak, the public hearing/comment will be
closed and the Commission or Planning
Board will then return discussion of the
project to themselves. The will evaluate
the application materials, the staff report,
public testimony, and the requirements
of subdivision law and regulations. The
Commission or Planning Board may
inquire of staff, applicants, or the public for
clarification or additional information in order
to complete their evaluation.
8. The Planning Board will forward a
recommendation to the City Commission.
9. The City Commission will make their
decision on the record established during
the review of the subdivision. The record
includes all application materials, staff
review, public comments, and other
materials provided prior to the Commission’s
action.
10. 1When the City Commission has rendered
their decision the City will prepare findings
of fact which establish the official record and
decision.
11. An approval or denial of a subdivision may
be appealed to District Court after a final
decision has been rendered. Appeals are
subject to the requirements of state law.
60 CITY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNITY PLAN
ZONING AMENDMENT REVIEW
Zoning establishes many of the standards
and review processes for the use of land.
Amendments to zoning change those rules with
far reaching consequences. Therefore, zoning
amendments are reviewed deliberately and
in public. Review must be fair to all, allow for
identification and resolution of concerns, and
provide meaningful opportunities for participation.
INTENT AND BACKGROUND
Sections 76-2-301, et seq., Montana Code
Annotated, authorizes local governments to
adopt zoning. As each community uses zoning
differently, the authorization identifies certain
purposes and processes but leaves most of the
details to each community. Chapter 38, Unified
Development Code, City of Bozeman municipal
code has the local details.
“76-2-301. Municipal zoning authorized. For the
purpose of promoting health, safety, morals, or
the general welfare of the community, the City
or town council or other legislative body of cities
and incorporated towns is hereby empowered
to regulate and restrict the height, number of
stories, and size of buildings and other structures;
the percentage of lot that may be occupied; the
size of yards, courts, and other open spaces; the
density of population; and the location and use of
buildings, structures, and land for trade, industry,
residence, or other purposes.”
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE ZONED?
It means the City has adopted standards and
procedures for the development and use
of property within the City. Zoning indicates
the character of an area by applying use and
development standards to an individual property.
Essentially, zoning addresses public safety,
public welfare, and compatibility between uses.
Chapter 38 of the Bozeman Municipal Code is
the zoning code. The City applies standards
and procedures to individual properties through
the zoning map. The City will not modify those
standards and procedures without public notice
and participation. The City does not represent
or commit to anyone that the standards and
procedures will not change.
How is zoning applied to property?
The zoning map shows the designation that
applies to each property. The zoning map covers
all area within the boundaries of the City. The
zoning district map assigns a designation to each
property in the City. Once applied, the standards
and procedures for each district apply to land
designated within each district until the City
amends the map or text of Chapter 38. Since
1935, the City has adopted a change to the zoning
map or text over 500 times including replacing
the entire code 19 times. The most recent overall
replacement took effect in March 2018.
Who can change the zoning text or map?
Only the City Commission can approve an
amendment and only after notifying the public of
the possible change and giving people a chance
to participate in the change. As a legislative
action, amendments are made through a process
called a “map” or a “text” amendment. There is a
defined public process for such changes to occur.
See below for a summary of that process. The
City Commission, Zoning Commission, a citizen, or
landowner(s) can initiate amendments as stated in
38.260, BMC. The City has created a process for
anyone to suggest potential changes.
What is needed to justify a change in a zoning district map or text?
A change to the zoning text or map is a legislative
action. The City Commission can initiate or
approve amendments when they believe they
are appropriate. In determining whether to begin
a City initiated amendment the Commission can
consider broad legislative factors such as the
passage of time, changes in the needs of the
community, outside actions like court decisions
or new laws, whether the existing map or text is
PLANNING BOARD REVIEW DRAFT, 26 NOVEMBER 2019 61
reaching the intended outcome, and changes like
installation of new infrastructure. Some examples
include:
• State or federal law changes that the zoning
must address or with which it is in conflict.
• Court decisions changing the interpretation of
meaning of law that interacts with zoning.
• Change in circumstances: the current zoning
does not comply with the City’s adopted
Community Plan (i.e. its growth policy) policies
within the Growth Policy have changed, land is
annexed, or infrastructure is newly available.
• an owner requests the change and the
request meets required standards.
Items a and b are most likely to generate changes
in the text; items c and d are more likely to
generate changes in the zoning map.
In considering zone map amendments, The City’s
longstanding practice is to consider item d as an
adequate justification in itself for consideration
of a zoning map change. In doing so, applicant/
property owner must demonstrate the requested
change meets the required criteria and guidelines
for an amendment.
The City’s zoning establishes what responsibilities
exist, such as controlling stormwater, and requires
people to meet those responsibilities. Zoning
also addresses the balance of interests between
adjacent properties by defining districts where
similar uses can be compatible and providing
for transitions and buffers between zoning
districts where the City determines it necessary
to control impacts and prevent the use of one
person’s property right from inappropriately
impacting another. When such protections are in
place it is appropriate for the land owner to have
opportunity to ask for changes to zoning. If an
owner does not show that criteria and guidelines
are successfully met the City Commission can
choose not to approve the change. This does not
prevent the City from initiating a change on its
own.
To provide transparency in decision making,
accountability, and public participation the zone
map or text amendment process requires public
notice and hearings. Before any action to approve
an amendment, the Commission must address
the criteria, which provide guidance in deciding
whether an amendment is acceptable.
REVIEW CRITERIA FOR ZONING
AMENDMENTS AND THEIR APPLICATION
This section includes the four criteria and five
guidelines for zoning amendments. These are
from state law. It gives an overview of how those
criteria and guidelines apply during the review of
individual zoning amendments.
Section 76-2-304 of state law establishes the
criteria, section (1), and guidelines, section (2), for
the creation and amendment of zoning. Due to the
range of subjects the applicability of any individual
criterion may be of more or less importance. The
City Commission must find the applicable criteria
are either met or not applicable. Below is the state
statute that provide the criteria and guidelines for
zoning decisions:
76-2-304. Criteria and guidelines for zoning regulations.
1. Zoning regulations must be:
a. made in accordance with a growth
policy; and
b. designed to:
i. secure safety from fire and other
dangers;
ii. promote public health, public safety,
and the general welfare; and
iii. facilitate the adequate provision
of transportation, water, sewerage,
schools, parks, and other public
requirements.
2. In the adoption of zoning regulations, the
municipal governing body shall consider:
a. reasonable provision of adequate light
and air;
b. the effect on motorized and
nonmotorized transportation systems;
62 CITY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNITY PLAN
c. promotion of compatible urban growth;
d. the character of the district and its
peculiar suitability for particular uses;
and
e. conserving the value of buildings and
encouraging the most appropriate use of
land throughout the jurisdictional area.
How the criteria and guidelines are applied
Under state law, zoning regulations must be
“made in accordance with a growth policy.”
This criterion gives the Commission latitude; for
zoning map amendments a correlation to the
future land use map is essential. Beyond that,
policy statements such as goals and objectives
are weighed. In a text amendment, policy
statements weigh heavily as the standards being
created or revised implement the growth policy’s
aspirations and intent. The City must balance
many issues in approving urban development. So,
it is not unusual if there is some tension between
competing priorities, even if there is no explicit
contradiction of policy.
As shown in the state statute, zoning must also
“be designed to:
• secure safety from fire and other dangers;
• promote public health, public safety, and the
general welfare; and
• facilitate the adequate provision of
transportation, water, sewerage, schools,
parks, and other public requirements.
For a map amendment, all three of the above
elements are addressed primarily by the City’s
long range facility Plans, the City’s capital
improvements program, and development
standards adopted by the City. The standards set
minimum sizing and flow requirements, require
dedication of parks, provision of right of way for
people and vehicles, keep development out of
floodplains, and other items to address public
safety, etc. It is often difficult to assess these
issues in detail on a specific site.
For example, at the time of annexation, the final
intensity of development is unknown and it may
be many years before development occurs and
the impacts are experienced. The availability of
other Planning and development review tools
must be considered when deciding the degree
of assurance needed to apply an initial zoning at
annexation.
The City’s building codes reduce reliance on
zoning to address other elements of public safety.
For example, requirements for fire sprinklers for
larger buildings are addressed in the building
codes but not in the zoning code. In addition, the
subdivision review process lays out the backbone
for public infrastructure. This includes most
water, sewer, stormwater, and street facilities.
Development review under zoning procedures
gives a final check on infrastructure capacity when
there is a known intended intensity of use and
condition of facilities.
Considering what infrastructure is already present,
such as in infill situations, or whether placing one
zoning district next to another may reduce travel
distances and increase walkability, are also factors
that can play into this criterion. It is not only about
production of more but also of best use of public
facilities. If a proposed change to the map is
contrary to the facility Plans, or causes substantial
inadequacy over the long term, then denial of the
amendment may be warranted.
a. In the adoption of zoning regulations,
the municipal governing body shall
consider:
reasonable provision of adequate light
and air;
Bozeman has established generally
applicable standards for setbacks, park
dedication, on-site open space, and
building design standards to address
this requirement. This is done during the
creation of the zoning text. Therefore,
when considering changes to the map,
this issue is addressed for all districts.
In addition, the building codes have
standards for ingress and egress,
PLANNING BOARD REVIEW DRAFT, 26 NOVEMBER 2019 63
ventilation, and related subjects that
further support delivery of adequate light
and air. Care is needed if the City revises
the standards themselves.
b. the effect on motorized and
nonmotorized transportation systems;
This guideline looks at the anticipated
change that may occur due to the
amendment. It does not require there
to be less of an impact than from the
existing condition whether it be text or
map that is the focus. The City relies
upon its long-range transportation Plan
to evaluate transportation needs over
the long term for motorized vehicles as
well as bikes and pedestrians. The park
and trail Plan also considers options
for extending the trail network. Plans
are periodically updated to keep them
applicable to current conditions.
Review of development proposals as
subdivisions or site development looks
at the transportation, park and trail,
and facility Plans, considers existing
conditions, and then requires additional
on and off-site improvements needed to
meet the additional demand expected
from new development. Development
creates or funds many of the City’s
local streets, intersection upgrades,
and trails. Therefore, although a text
or map amendment may allow more
intense development than before,
compliance with the adopted Plans
and standards will provide adequate
capaCity to offset that increase. The
City’s development standards require
on-site parking for bicycles and motor
vehicles and pedestrian circulation within
each site. Articles 38.4 and 38.5 of the
UDC regulate parking and circulation. If
the Commission considers a substantial
change to the standards it must examine
the cumulative impacts.
The capacity of a street to handle
traffic can be viewed differently by
local residents, traffic engineers, and
Planners. The long-range transportation
Plan establishes the standards for what
is “too much” on each class of road.
The impact of additional development
is not excessive so long as the Planned
capacity of the road is not exceeded.
New development contributes to the
creation of additional capacity through
dedication of right of way, construction
or reconstruction of streets, payment of
impact fees, and other contributions as
may be applicable to a specific project.
These requirements may mitigate the
impacts of additional development.
Development that is more intense
requires greater transportation capacity.
So, it is good, but not required, to have
more intensive districts near arterial and
collector roads.
c. promotion of compatible urban growth;
This guideline focuses on what happens
at the edge of the City, as well as what
occurs in the heart of the City. Section
38.700.040, BMC defines the factors
considered in determining compatibility.
This definition explicitly rejects uniformity
as being necessary for compatibility.
Compatibility is considered within
districts, as well as between districts.
The determination of compatibility
happens at several levels, including:
1) what uses are allowed within each
district; 2) creation of standards for
new development to lessen impacts
to adjacent land/persons; 3) creation
of building and site design standards;
and 4) application of future land use
areas through the community Plan and
development of the zoning map.
When the Commission considers a text
amendment, the majority of the focus is
on items 1 - 3, above. What combination
64 CITY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNITY PLAN
of uses under what conditions can work
well together? There is a wide range of
possible answers for each community
to consider. Some communities take
a highly prescriptive worst-case view
and try to restrain all possible points of
perceived conflict. This tends to create
a very homogenous community with
little interest or scope for creativity.
Bozeman takes a different approach.
The worst-case scenario is recognized
as unlikely but possible. Development
standards deal with the majority of
cases, while restraining extraordinary
problems. An example is stormwater
management where a certain minimum
level of control is required but there are
many acceptable alternative methods to
address the issue.
When considering zoning map
amendments, the Commission first looks
at the future land use map created by
the growth policy. See discussion under
Criterion 1(a) above. That Planning
process looks at a very high level at
various policies to identify community
priorities. In Bozeman’s case, those
policies consistently emphasize quality
of development, infill in a manner that
allows for additional intensification over
time, connecting land development to
other community priorities like multi-
modal transportation, cost efficient
user-pays provision of facilities, and
reasonable incremental development at
the City edge. These, and other, policies
influence the layout of the future land
use map.
The City creates standards under items
1-3 so that when one district is adjacent
to another, and is consistent with the
growth policy, any physical conflicts will
be minimal if present at all. The City’s
zoning policy encourages continued
development of mixed uses. This is seen
in the older areas of the City, which
were built before zoning. The City uses
the broad scope of its development
standards to enable differing uses to
be successful near each other. This
shows on the zoning map where districts
providing a wide diversity of uses are
intermixed.
d. the character of the district and its
peculiar suitability for particular uses;
and
The second element of this guideline
reflects the application of the statutory
criteria to a wide diversity of purposes
and communities. Some land has a
unique physical attribute that makes
it more appropriate for one use than
another. That attribute may be inherent
in the land itself or due to proximity to
something else. For example, the City’s
land adjacent to the East Gallatin River
is well suited for the Public Lands and
Institutions district because it supports
both recreational functions in Story Mill
Park and an essential water treatment
role next to the Water Reclamation
Facility.
The character of a district is seen from a
couple different viewpoints. First, when
considering an amendment to the text,
the integration of a proposed change
is evaluated with the other standards,
purposes, and criteria of site review.
If the new change conflicts with other
text, then the new change should be
rejected, or other revisions made, so that
the overall standards for a given district
support one another.
Second, when considering an
amendment to the zoning map both the
actual and possible built environment
are evaluated. If the amendment is
PLANNING BOARD REVIEW DRAFT, 26 NOVEMBER 2019 65
accompanying an annexation request
there is often a substantial change in
use that will occur. In this case, the
Commission must look at what the
growth policy recommends for the area,
as there is less built context to provide
guidance. A zoning district change for
land already within the City requires
greater consideration of the current
actual and possible environment. Most
of Bozeman has zoning that allows more
development than the current owners
utilize. This reflects many personal
preferences and economic decisions.
There is no specified distance in
state law or local code outside of
the boundary of a map amendment
that describes the “district” to be
considered. The City provides direct
notice to landowners out to 200 feet
from the outer boundary of the area to
be given a new zoning designation by
the map amendment. This is notice, not
the distance that dictates the extent
of the analysis. Impacts from a zoning
change may be less or more than 200
feet depending on the nature of the
change and what already exists. State
law recognizes that persons owning land
within 150 feet have a unique interest in
the decision to rezone and gives them
the ability to protest the zoning. It is
notable that the protest does not stop a
rezoning but requires a greater majority
of the Commission to approve. If there is
adequate reason for the change, it can
go forward.
Nothing in the zoning amendment or site
review criteria requires the Commission
restrict one owner because an adjacent
owner chooses to not use all zoning
potential. The City is not obligated
to enforce or recognize any privately
imposed restrictions, such as a covenant,
on land. Such restrictions are not subject
to the same public notice or participation
requirements as City actions.
Landowners have both rights and
obligations. To find that an amendment
application should be approved, the
application materials and review need
show the amendment meets the
required criteria for approval. This is a
very site specific evaluation and can
consider, but is not obligated to give
preference to, what adjacent owners
have chosen to do with their property.
When evaluating compliance with criteria
it is appropriate to consider all the
options allowed by the requested district
and not only what the present applicant
describes as their intensions.
The City Commission must consider
several items in its decision on a zone
map amendment. First, the Commission
must consider the nature of the dominant
uses allowed in a district compared with
adjacent properties. For example, are
they both residential or is one residential
and another non-residential. Bozeman
has an existing pattern of diverse
zoning districts in proximity to each
other. Second, the Commission should
consider differences in allowed intensity
between the districts such as differences
in height, setbacks, or lot coverage.
The greater the difference the more
likely conflict is possible. An incremental
change between two similar districts may
for example, have the same setbacks,
and very similar maximum heights. Next,
the Commission must decide whether a
larger community benefit exists such as
locating a fire station where it will serve
the adjacent property but is different
from the surrounding zoning. Finally, the
Commission must ask what separates
one zone from another? The City strives
66 CITY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNITY PLAN
to locate zoning boundaries along
visible and natural dividing lines such as
streets, trail corridors, creeks, or parks.
At a minimum, zoning boundaries should
follow property boundaries. The greater
the physical separation the less likely
there may be a conflict. A local street,
typically 60 feet wide, when combined
with the standards for site development,
is generally considered an adequate
separation even for substantially
different districts.
e. conserving the value of buildings and
encouraging the most appropriate use
of land throughout the jurisdictional
area.
There are two elements to this guideline.
First, conserving the value of buildings
applies to changes that may lessen
the functional utility of a property.
Changes that increase opportunities on
a property are unlikely to fail this test.
Some reduction in value can happen
with adequate justification. Requiring a
development to mitigate impacts on its
site that lowers development potential is
acceptable. The need for that mitigation
must be demonstrated.
Assertions that allowing a more intensive
zoning may lessen values on adjacent
properties is best addressed under
the guideline regarding the character
of the district. The financial value of
land changes constantly based on
many factors. Properties considered
undesirable at one time may be sought
after as circumstances change or the
reverse. Value may be primarily in the
eye of the beholder and not supported
by neutral and objective evaluation.
There is no defined decline in financial
value or utility that proves an automatic
failure of this guideline.
Encouraging the most appropriate use
of land connects back to criterion 1(a)
and the growth policy and guideline
2(d) and peculiar suitability for particular
uses. The future land use map and
policies of the growth policy should
merge to establish priorities for land
use that consider whether a given
location is genuinely unique. There are
circumstances where combinations of
uses such as high density housing close
to employment, community amenities,
and transportation reinforce each other.
PLANNING BOARD REVIEW DRAFT, 26 NOVEMBER 2019 67
PUBLIC REVIEW AND HEARING PROCEDURES
An amendment to the zoning text or map can
be initiated by a property owner or by the City
Commission. Division 38.260, BMC has the
requirements for initiating an amendment. A
general outline of the public hearing process for
an application follows. As a legislative process,
the City Commission has discretion in making their
decision.
An important part of the amendment review
process is the opportunity to offer comments on
the proposal. Any interested person or group
may give comments. The public hearing process
formally provides this opportunity. Persons for,
against, or merely seeking information about
the proposal may speak to the appointed or
elected officials who must review the request.
The required public hearings on a zoning
amendment are by the Zoning Commission and
the City Commission. The Zoning Commission
gives a recommendation to the City Commission
regarding the proposed amendment’s compliance
with the review criteria. The typical format for
a public hearing on a zoning amendment is as
follows:
1. The public hearing are advertised as
required by state law and Division 38.220 of
the City of Bozeman Municipal Code. Written
public comments may be submitted to the
City prior to the beginning of the public
hearing.
2. The public hearing will be conducted at the
time and place advertised.
3. A report on the review by the Department
of Community Development, including
an analysis of compliance with the
growth policy, review criteria, and a
recommendation of approval or denial is
provided.
4. Presentation by applicant and applicant’s
representative(s). In the event the
amendment is initiated by the City, this is
usually the same as step 3 above.
5. Questions from the City Commission or
Zoning Commission to staff or applicant.
6. The public hearing is opened with persons
able to speak for, against, or to seek
additional information from applicant or
staff. A time limit may be established for
each speaker. Commenters may also
submit comments in writing. The public is
encouraged to provide in their comments
a factual basis related to specific review
criteria for their support or opposition to an
amendment.
7. When all persons have had opportunity to
speak, the public hearing will be closed and
the City Commission or Zoning Commission
will then return discussion of the project
to themselves. They will evaluate the
application materials, the staff report, public
written and spoken testimony, and the
amendment review criteria and procedures.
The City Commission or Zoning Commission
may inquire of staff, applicants, or the public
for clarification or additional information in
order to complete their evaluation.
8. A majority of a Zoning Commission quorum
is adequate to render a decision. The Zoning
Commission forwards a recommendation to
the City Commission.
9. After the City Commission has conducted
their public hearing, they make their decision
on the record established during the public
hearing. This includes the application
materials, staff report, Zoning Commission
recommendation, public comments, and all
other relevant material presented during the
review.
10. When the City Commission has rendered
their decision the process for a formal two-
step ordinance adoption as required in state
law is required before any amendment is
final.
11. An approval or denial of amendment may
be appealed to District Court after a final
decision has been rendered. Appeals are
subject to the requirements of state law.