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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-13-2020 J Madgic growth policy re-writesTHEME 1 – A CITY OF NEIGHBORHOODS (as approved 12/17/19) Bozeman is indeed a city of neighborhoods. From the traditional neighborhoods north and south of Bozeman’s downtown, to the developments of more recent times, Bozeman’s neighborhoods are as diverse as the periods of time in which they were built. This eclectic mix of housing opportunities within differing geographic parts of town helps define who we are, where we came from and where we’re going. There is strong public support for development and maintenance of old and new neighborhoods, areas sometimes defined as “complete communities.” These neighborhoods or communities offer a mix of housing, needed services and opportunities within close proximity of each other. The idea is to promote walking or short commutes to the things in life we value and depend on: jobs, school, places of worship, friends, goods and services, open spaces, trails, community gardens and more. Neighborhoods help improve community safety and overall community health. The City supports policies that maintain and build neighborhoods designed to provide equitable access to amenities and opportunities for all. Housing type diversity within neighborhoods, single-family homes mixed with apartments and duplexes, helps ensure community benefits are available to households of different size, income and age. Mixed neighborhoods can help provide the density of people needed to support nearby commercial activities. 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 multi-modal transportation, and a healthier environment for the City and its residents. Appropriately located higher densities facilitate a beneficial diversity of residents, 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. Thoughtful city planning can provide a host of advantages from economic to environmental to overall quality of life. Many of Bozeman’s neighborhoods have a concentration of housing, with a variety of housing types, that support nearby commercial centers. Concentrated development uses land more efficiently, promoting infill and reducing the overall amount of road surface and need for parking lots, potentially improving overall access to parks, schools and shops. Access is ultimately improved and places are connected through a variety of transportation options. Compact development makes sense for our pocketbooks and overall health. When it comes to promoting a walkable, bikeable, safe, affordable and energy-efficient community, density and design matter, and providing affordable housing options is key. Preventing sprawl and increasing resource efficiency depend on an intensity of urban life found in our commercial centers. Innovative design and planning include ideas like pocket neighborhoods, smaller housing, green alleys, community gardens and creativity in our public spaces. THEME 3 – A CITY INFLUENCED BY OUR NATURAL ENVIRONMENT, PARKS AND OPEN SPACE Our City is home to an outdoor-conscious population who 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 update climate action plan is expected to be completed in 2020. Surrounded by mountains, within close proximity to world-class rivers and Yellowstone National Park, Bozeman’s natural environment is hard to beat. It’s the foundation of our healthy tourist economy and the reason why many people move here, start businesses and raise their families. It’s also the reason behind the City’s prioritization of parks, trails and open space. And while Bozeman residents value and enjoy many forms of outdoor recreation, community members also understand and appreciate the need for maintaining and protecting the natural resources that support a healthy ecosystem. Protecting our immediate and regional ecosystem requires diligence and careful planning as Bozeman and Gallatin County continue to grow. Responding to climate change, invasive plants and animals, protecting the health of our water systems and air quality, and grappling with the impacts of increased human population, are some of our challenges. 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. The best transportation plan is a good land use plan. Transportation systems impact: 1) livability (in terms of traffic congestion, but also noise, pollution, safety, and aesthetics); 2) affordability (after housing, transportation is the second largest expense for most households); and 3) sustainability (transportation accounted for more than one third of Bozeman's 2016 greenhouse gas emissions). An affordable, livable, sustainable city should grow with reduced reliance on driving alone to reach daily destinations. Active transportation increases daily physical activity, improving health and lowering healthcare costs. Motor vehicle accidents are one of the leading causes of preventable deaths in our country. Designing streets to prioritize safety (rather than speed) significantly reduces fatal injuries for all users and promotes active transportation. Living in housing that’s far from daily destinations usually means the only reasonable transportation choice is your personal car. Thoughtful community planning provides residents and visitors with a wide range of transportation options. Appropriately designed trails, sidewalks, crossings and bike lanes help us move around our neighborhoods and provide safe passage to the places we want and need to travel to. THEME 5- A CITY POWERED BY ITS CREATIVE, INNOVATIVE, AND ENTREPRENEURIAL ECONOMY WITH AN EXPANDING, CREATIVE, INNOVATION 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. Our City’s expanding economy is based on strong partnerships in education, research, production, healthcare and tourism. 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. Bozeman’s economy is diverse and expanding, with a mix of businesses and industries centered on technology, healthcare, education, recreation and tourism. Home to Montana State University, our City provides access to cutting-edge education and research development opportunities that fosters unique development and production competencies in several national industries, including: opto-electronics, biofilm, and outdoor gear. The City's commitment to broadband availability through its Economic Development division has improved availability of national-level broadband speeds in key areas of the City, making distant consultants available locally. Additionally, immediate and short-distance proximity to various outdoor recreation opportunities provide significant daily mental and physical health benefits to both citizens and employers, making Bozeman one of the most desirable innovation centers in the country. 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 uncertainly 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. Cooperation between agencies makes sense. The jurisdictional lines between city and county, state land and local land, are important in helping define the roles of various public agencies. But conflicting decisions and lack of trust between agencies can create complications, uncertainty and in some cases, influence our overall public health and safety. A good working relationship between city and county officials and staff can reduce conflicts, improve our overall infrastructure, lower taxpayer costs and ultimately create a safer, healthier community.