HomeMy WebLinkAbout06 City of Bozeman Community Plan 2020 DraftBOZEMANMT
COMMUNITY PLAN
CITY COMMISSION DRAFT 20 OCTOBER 2020
II BOZEMANMT 2020 COMMUNITY PLAN
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CITY COMMISSION DRAFT, 20 OCTOBER 2020 I
BOZEMAN CITY COMMISSION
_________________________
Mayor Cyndy Andrus
Deputy Mayor Terry Cunningham
Commissioner Jennifer Madgic
Commissioner I-Ho Pomeroy
Commissioner Michael Wallner
BOZEMAN PLANNING BOARD
Henry (Hap) Happel, President
Cathy Costakis
Mark Egge
Jennifer Madgic, Commission Member
Gerald (Jerry) Pape, Jr.
Richard Rudnicki
Paul Spitler
George Thompson
SIGNATURE PAGE
This certifies that the Bozeman Community Plan has been duly adopted by the Bozeman City
Commission by City of Bozeman Resolution No. 5133, dated ___________.
II BOZEMANMT 2020 COMMUNITY PLAN
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
CITY OF BOZEMAN CITY COMMISSION
MAYOR CYNDY ANDRUS
DEPUTY MAYOR TERRY CUNNINGHAM
COMMISSIONER JENNIFER MADGIC
COMMISSIONER I-HO POMEROY
COMMISSIONER MICHAEL WALLNER
COMMISSIONER JEFF KRAUSS, PAST MEMBER
COMMISSIONER CHRIS MEHL, PAST MEMBER
CITY OF BOZEMAN PLANNING BOARD
HENRY (HAP) HAPPEL, CHAIR
CATHY COSTAKIS
MARK EGGE
JENNIFER MADGIC, COMMISSION MEMBER
GERALD (JERRY) PAPE, JR.
RICHARD RUDNICKI
PAUL SPITLER
GEORGE THOMPSON
BRIANNE DUGAN, PAST MEMBER
JOHN LAVEY, PAST MEMBER
CHRIS MEHL, PAST COMMISSION MEMBER
LAUREN WATERTON, PAST MEMBER
JORDAN ZIGNEGO, PAST MEMBER
CITY OF BOZEMAN STAFF
MARTIN MATSEN, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
CHRIS SAUNDERS, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
TOM ROGERS, SENIOR PLANNER
SARAH ROSENBERG, ASSOCIATE PLANNER
CITY OF BOZEMAN GIS DIVISION
CONSULTANT TEAM
LOGAN SIMPSON
LELAND CONSULTING
SPECIAL THANKS TO THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE PROCESS AND CONTRIBUTED TO THE
DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMMUNITY PLAN.
CITY COMMISSION DRAFT, 20 OCTOBER 2020 III
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION 1
01 | BASICS 3
ORGANIZATION 3
PLANNING AREA 5
PLANNING TIME HORIZON 6
PUBLIC OUTREACH 6
EXISTING CONDITIONS 7
RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER PLANS 9
BASIC PLANNING PRECEPTS 10
02 | THEMES 13
THEME 1 | A RESILIENT CITY 14
THEME 2 | A CITY OF UNIQUE NEIGHBORHOODS 16
THEME 3 | A CITY BOLSTERED BY DOWNTOWN AND COMPLEMENTARY DISTRICTS 20
THEME 4 | A CITY INFLUENCED BY OUR NATURAL ENVIRONMENT, PARKS, AND OPEN LANDS 24
THEME 5 | A CITY THAT PRIORITIZES ACCESSIBILITY AND MOBILITY CHOICES 28
THEME 6 | A CITY POWERED BY ITS CREATIVE, INNOVATIVE, AND ENTREPRENEURIAL ECONOMY 32
THEME 7 | A CITY ENGAGED IN REGIONAL COORDINATION 35
03 | FUTURE LAND USE 39
IMPORTANCE 39
FUTURE LAND USE MAP - LAND USE DESCRIPTIONS 41
CORRELATION WITH ZONING 46
THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP 47
04 | IMPLEMENTATION 49
IMPORTANCE 49
SHORT-TERM ACTION LIST 50
MONITORING AND UPDATES 50
05 | AMENDMENTS + REVIEW 53
PLAN AMENDMENTS 53
REVIEW TRIGGERS, AMENDMENTS, AND AMENDMENT CRITERIA 54
SUBDIVISION REVIEW 56
ZONING AMENDMENT REVIEW 60
06 | APPENDICES
APPENDIX A: ENGAGEMENT AND PROCESS TO CREATE THE PLAN
APPENDIX B: INFRASTRUCTURE AND SPECIAL TOPIC PLANS
APPENDIX C: INVENTORY REPORT – HISTORY AND CURRENT CONDITIONS
APPENDIX D: PROJECTIONS REPORT – TRENDS
APPENDIX E: INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN PER 76-1-601(4)(C)MCA
APPENDIX F: GLOSSARY
Iv BOZEMANMT 2020 COMMUNITY PLAN
CITY COMMISSION DRAFT, 20 OCTOBER 2020 1
INTRODUCTION
The city of Bozeman is set in an expansive valley, surrounded by mountain
ranges, and intersected by blue ribbon waterways. Over the last 150 years,
Bozeman has grown from a small town supported by agriculture to one of
the most livable micropolitan areas in United States. Desirable attributes
such as immediate access to year-round recreation, high-quality schools, a
growing high-tech culture, and thoughtful and forward-thinking city policies
have all contributed to strong population growth, high employment and rapid
development.
Bozeman now has a population of approximately 50,000 people, which is
up from 22,660 people in the year 1990 (refer to Appendices C and D for
additional information on population). It is the fourth largest city in Montana.
Bozeman is home to Montana State University, the largest university in
the State with a total enrollment of nearly 17,000 students. Montana State
University is one of only 130 universities out of 4,338 institutions to be
designated a very high research activity school. Bozeman 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 many tens of
thousands of visitors annually.
Bozeman's high rate of growth and changing economics, the rapid
development in surrounding Gallatin County, and state law mandating that
community plans be kept up-to-date, all make it necessary for Bozeman to
adopt a new community plan. Without guided growth and development,
the community’s identity and overall quality of life could be diminished by
congestion and pollution. The City has had five community plans dating back
to 1958, the most recent being its 2009 plan. Each plan builds upon the
others, reflecting the community’s vision and needs over time.
This community plan (the Plan) is a fundamental policy document guiding
further growth and community development in Bozeman. 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 the City’s actions moving forward. It reflects the community’s shared
values and priorities. The Plan is the City’s long-range growth policy that
meets the statutory requirements of Section 76-1-601 of the Montana Code
Annotated.
This Plan helps guide residents, City staff, and elected officials’ decisions.
It brings land use policy into larger community discussions on many issues
addressed by the City. Its measure of success is continuation of the Bozeman
tradition— a flourishing, safe, healthy, and a vibrant place to live, work, and
raise a family.
The City, as an institution, will undertake many actions to implement the
Plan as well as track the progress of the Plan’s implementation through
established indicators. These indicators will help determine the objectives
that are working, where they can be improved, and the objectives that need
to be reevaluated. The residents and businesses in the City, through their
aspirations and hard work, will carry out the Plan.
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CITY COMMISSION DRAFT, 20 OCTOBER 2020 3
01
01 | BASICS
ORGANIZATION
The Plan is organized into five main sections: Basics, Themes, Land Use Map, Implementation, and
Amendments + Review. Appendices 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, summarizes existing conditions, and describes
the relationship of the Plan to other City planning documents. Finally, this section describes the basic
planning principles employed in developing the Plan. Recommendations are discussed within the
context of the issues most important to Bozeman residents.
02 | Themes set forth community desired outcomes and the Plan goals and objectives to achieve
these outcomes. The Themes include 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.
05 | Amendments + Review contains information concerning amendment of the Plan, and the principles
involved in the City’s subdivision and zoning review processes.
4 BOZEMANMT 2020 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
community’s voice.
APPENDIX B: INFRASTRUCTURE AND SPECIAL TOPIC PLANS
Appendix B references the City’s key infrastructure plans and special
topic plans, with descriptions of, and links to each plan document.
Included are future and existing plans for transportation, storm
water, wastewater, parks and open lands, public safety, economic
development, housing, neighborhood plans, and other topics.
APPENDIX C: INVENTORY REPORT – HISTORY AND CURRENT
CONDITIONS
Appendix C details the history of the City of Bozeman, along with a
description of existing conditions. Statistics and text in this section
are taken directly from the 2018 Demographic and Real Estate
Market Assessment prepared by Economic and Planning Systems
(EPS report).
APPENDIX D: PROJECTIONS REPORT – TRENDS
The projections shown in Appendix D have been extracted from the
EPS report. Projections include population, employment, and housing
growth, and demand projections for land, housing, and commercial
and industrial space.
APPENDIX E: INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN PER 76-1-601(4)(C) MCA
The law authorizing growth policies allows additional items to be
added to a growth policy. The table in this Appendix identifies how
infrastructure is expanded, the consequences of that expansion, and
how negative effects of the expansion can be mitigated.
APPENDIX F: GLOSSARY
Defines specific terms used in the Plan.
CITY COMMISSION DRAFT, 20 OCTOBER 2020 5
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6 BOZEMANMT 2020 COMMUNITY PLAN
PLANNING AREA
Bozeman’s Planning Area is generally 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 the City in
the Gallatin County jurisdictional area. The Planning Area is nearly
70.8 square miles. The City’s current footprint is 20.9 square miles.
Much of the area within the planning area and outside of the City
has already been developed. This Plan encourages development
within the municipal boundaries where City services are available.
Thoughtful development in the Planning Area is guided by the Plan’s
goals and policies.
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Revised: 10/30/20 City of Bozeman Strategic Services Department
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City Limits
CITY COMMISSION DRAFT, 20 OCTOBER 2020 7
City of Bozeman Current City Limits (in grey shade) and Growth Policy Boundary (in green)
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8 BOZEMANMT 2020 COMMUNITY PLAN
PLANNING TIME HORIZON
The time horizon for this Plan is 20 years—until 2040. This time
horizon is referred to in the Plan as the “Planning Period.” The
future land use map and other elements (i.e. plans for water, sewer,
transportation, and parks) look further into the future to envision
development that is not predicted to occur over any particular
timeframe.
TO GROW OR NOT TO GROW? IF SO, HOW?
Bozeman has seen nearly continuous growth since its founding. The
population of the City has expanded by 275% over the past 50 years.
Many factors, including but not limited to: nearby extensive outdoor
recreation opportunities, Montana State University, people who left
the area for careers returning, changing technology enabling remote
work, and people becoming familiar with the area during visits to
Yellowstone National Park influence the decisions of individuals and
businesses to move to Bozeman and the Gallatin Valley. Developing
factors that appear to be increasing interest in the local area include
climate change, increasing economic opportunities in the local area
with technology and other sector growth, and recently, the COVID-19
pandemic.
The increasing number of people and associated impacts cause
changes in the community. Those changes stimulate an examination
of whether the City should continue to grow or if it should try to “put
on the brakes” by attempting to constrain growth in some manner.
Such a question reflects the deep concerns of people in many areas
and issues.
CITY COMMISSION DRAFT, 20 OCTOBER 2020 9
Diverse changes have caused increases in number of homes
and expanding areas of development. As household sizes have
decreased over time additional houses are required to serve the
same population. The number of homes in Bozeman required to
house the same 10,000 people increased 47.8% between 1970
and 2010. That increased number of homes requires more streets,
water and sewer pipes, and similar expanded municipal and private
facilities. The cost of services per person correspondingly increases.
Should this household size trend reverse, the City could see large
population increases without construction of additional homes. Such
shifts in demographics are difficult to predict.
Bozeman has expanded in population and land area from in-
migration, change in the demographic makeup of the community,
new births, and annexation of new areas to serve new or existing
residents. Community change is dynamic and affected by many
forces. It is also inevitable. Even if population stayed the same, there
are forces that make outward and inward changes in a community.
CONTEXT OF THE GROWTH QUESTION
Consideration of Bozeman’s growth cannot be separated from the
larger context of the Gallatin Valley. Bozeman has been 45-50%
of the county population over time. When people discuss growth
in Bozeman they are often thinking of more than just the legal
boundaries of the City. Rapid growth has also been happening in
other valley municipalities and the unincorporated areas of the
County.
10 BOZEMANMT 2020 COMMUNITY PLAN
The Planning Area for the BCP is approximately 70 square miles.
Most of that area lies outside of the existing municipal limits.
However, it is not free from development pressure or change. As
shown on the map on the next page, much of the land within the
Planning Area and outside the City has already been subdivided and
developed to some degree, mostly as suburban and rural housing.
Only 8% of all the parcels in the nearly 49 square miles outside of the
City limits are larger than 20 acres. Twenty acres is the minimum area
generally considered eligible to be classified as agricultural property.
This parcel pattern reflects many decades of land use decisions by
private property owners as well as various governmental agencies.
The Planning Area outside of the City’s legal limits remains under the
final authority of Gallatin County. The County and City do not have
a shared planning board or regulations at this time. As described in
Chapter 2, Theme 7 the City works with Gallatin County on land use
planning issues. However, should a land owner outside of the City
ask to change zoning or subdivide land the County Commission has
the final decision. The City’s regulations only apply within its legal
limits. Areas that people often describe as being in Bozeman such as
the Woodland Park and Middle Creek developments along Huffine
Lane are outside of the City limits and were approved by the County.
CITY COMMISSION DRAFT, 20 OCTOBER 2020 11
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Revised: 10/30/20 City of Bozeman Strategic Services Department
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Growth Policy Boundary
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Government & Education Agencies
Parcels Up to Twenty Acres
City of Bozeman Context Map dsiplaying development inside Growth Policy Boundary
12 BOZEMANMT 2020 COMMUNITY PLAN
DOES THE CITY HAVE TO GROW?
The City is not required to grow in area or
population. The undeveloped areas in town would
eventually fill in with development. The City could
choose to not annex new property. The City
could stop acquiring water rights, stop expanding
treatment capacity for water or sewer, or could
strictly limit development opportunities through
regulations on development intensity or rate. All of
these would result in fewer homes and businesses
than would otherwise be present. There is
additional capacity presently in the City’s systems
due to planned “working room” to account for
the fact that expansion of capacity often comes
in large increments and therefore some excess
capacity is needed at any given time to meet
needs while the next increment of expansion is
designed and constructed. Such capacity could be
used up and not replaced.
A key sub-question and consequence in this
subject is whether lack of capacity in municipal
land area or systems would cause people to
stop seeking to come to the Gallatin Valley. The
residents of the City of Bozeman have for many
decades been between 40-50% of the total
county population. Since half or more of the
county population has chosen to locate outside
of the Bozeman limits it is highly likely that growth
would continue but would locate outside the
City within the unincorporated areas or other
municipalities. The factors that draw people to the
area would be unlikely to be changed by a City
decision to restrict development. Therefore, the
character of the valley, including areas adjacent to
Bozeman, would continue to change but without
material influence from the City.
Certain US cities and towns have attempted to
artificially constrain growth by limiting annual
growth percentages, limiting building permits,
establishing greenbelt buffers, building height
restrictions, etc. Generally speaking, such artificial
growth limits tend to redistribute future growth
outside city boundaries, drive up housing prices
and rental costs, increase commuting times,
and limit employment opportunities within city
boundaries.
As the population and development of the
Gallatin Valley has occurred the degree of
interdependence has increased. The Bozeman
economy relies substantially on persons living
outside of the city to work at jobs located in the
city. Census Data from 2017, the most recent
available, shows a total of 33,879 jobs in the City.
Of that number 13,667 were serviced by City
residents. The number of City residents leaving
the City for employment was 9,874 and the
number of non-City residents coming into the City
for work was 20,212.
A key outcome of this situation is that tens of
thousands of people are commuting every day
into the City and consuming street capacity, police
and fire services, and other municipal services.
However, revenue generated by their homes does
not come to the City to offset those demands for
service.
On a national level, the supply of housing is
not keeping up with demand for housing. On a
local level, this issue was examined by the 2019
Housing Needs Assessment (HNA) for the City.
A similar effort is being conducted at this time by
Gallatin County for areas outside of the City. The
HNA identified a deficiency of available housing
CITY COMMISSION DRAFT, 20 OCTOBER 2020 13
as a strong contributor to housing price escalation
in the area. Housing prices, both nationally and
locally, have increased substantially faster than
incomes. Housing scarcity is a substantial concern
and impacts the ability of businesses to hire
workers. As local unemployment has been low
for many years, attraction of new employees is
dependent on the availability of additional housing
in the area.
As discussed above, the majority of the
Planning Area is outside of the City limits. The
City of Bozeman and Gallatin County have
worked together to encourage annexation and
development within the City limits. Development
within the City is more land efficient than rural
or suburban development in unannexed areas.
Urban intensity development whether more
intensive apartment style development or more
typical medium density residential is much more
land efficient than rural/suburban development.
Comparing suburban development with an
average density of one home per 1.25 acres
and rural at one home per 5.5 acres to the
more intensive apartment style development
of a recent project downtown; the suburban
development consumes 135 times the amount
of land and the rural consumes 594 times the
amount of land per home. Development within
the City also provides for a wide range of
housing types to meet a wide range of housing
needs. Development within the City lessens
likelihood of conversion of agricultural and open
spaces to other uses but does convert uses on
some land with annexation.
Municipal development enables use of highly
effective centralized water and sewer systems.
Such centralized systems are more protective
of water quality both at the surface and
underground. Areas such as the Helena Valley
in Lewis and Clark County are experiencing
problems with ground water contamination
resulting from significant use of on-site water
and sewer systems.
Gallatin County has been a good partner in
encouraging potential development to annex
and develop within the City. The current and
proposed County growth policies and the Triangle
Community Plan support such action. However,
if the City is unable or unwilling to annex and
provide services the County will not prohibit
development on that parcel. As shown on the
context map, there has been considerable rural
and suburban development within the Planning
Area.
IF WE GROW, HOW?
In many planning efforts and discussions over
the decades, the Planning Board and City
Commission have considered the various
elements of the question of to grow or not grow
and the consequences of either approach. After
considering this question, they have concluded
that having growth within the physical boundaries
of Bozeman results in better outcomes than
not. Therefore, the BCP approaches growth as
14 BOZEMANMT 2020 COMMUNITY PLAN
something that overall is positive but recognizes
that it does not come without drawbacks and that
the community will change over time.
The City has adopted land development
regulations and policies to reasonably mitigate
negative impacts. These have been adopted to
address the question of “If so, how.” Regulations
can do many things to ensure adequate physical
facilities and a visually appealing and functional
development of sites. They support expansion of
employment and tax base for the community. They
ensure provision of new parks and walking trails,
keep the water flowing if there is a home fire to
be put out, and provide a framework within which
people may pursue dreams of their own homes
and businesses.
For all they can accomplish, there are some
things they cannot do. They cannot make there
be fewer people on a favorite walking trail, make
certain you see people you know as you walk
down the street, or control things that happen
outside of the City limits. They don’t set school
service boundaries; or change the floodplain or
water quality or wetland standards established by
federal and state agencies. They can’t assure that
buying a house will work out well for you. They
can’t change the flight path of aircraft headed to
the Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport.
They cannot assure you of a neighbor you want
to have. They don’t change any state or federal
policy. They do not prevent change or guarantee
that change will happen in the way any particular
person prefers.
MITIGATING IMPACTS
For new people and businesses to come and
establish in the community the City must be able
to provide land area, utility services, and other
functions. It is the long standing policy of the
City to balance the interests of new and existing
residents. Therefore, the City has established
standards and procedures to strive to ensure that
new development proportionately contributes to
the services and facilities needed to support new
development. The following examples identify
significant policies but it is not an exhaustive list.
• Annexation: Annexation is almost entirely
initiated by the landowner. The City has
limited ability to start an annexation process.
Annexation is often motivated by a desire to
develop property or to address a failed on-
site septic system. At the time of annexation,
land owners commit to provide or do provide
easements for major roadways, and to follow
the City’s land development standards
requiring the landowner to provide needed
infrastructure for development of the land.
• Water Rights: All water in the state not
reserved to the Federal Government or Tribal
Government is controlled by the State of
Montana. No one can use water without the
State’s permission. Such permission is called
a water right. When new development occurs,
the City requires that new development to
provide either water rights to the City or to
pay an equal amount of money so the City can
acquire water rights adequate to serve the
CITY COMMISSION DRAFT, 20 OCTOBER 2020 15
new development. Existing water users are
not required to pay for water rights for new
development.
• Impact Fees: Impact fees are costs charged
to new development to construct fire,
water, sewer, and transportation facilities to
support new development. There are strict
rules to ensure that the impact fees don’t
fix existing problems. Impact fees enable
the City to more closely keep up with water
and sewer treatment capacity and other
infrastructure needed for new development
to be functional and safe.
• Utility planning: The City conducts
long range planning for water, sewer,
transportation, parks, and other services.
This planning work examines the needs
for existing users and future users. This
enables the City to construct facilities
before big bottlenecks occur. Since a water
line can have a service life of at least 70
years, sizing them correctly is a significant
concern to avoid future service limits and
failures. Knowing what services are needed
enables the City to work effectively and
cost efficiently to serve existing and future
users. Recent expansion and upgrades
at the City’s water and sewer treatment
facilities were required both for maintaining
legal compliance with treatment standards
for existing users and to enable new users.
• Regulations: The City adopts standards
for development to correlate timing of new development with
the services needed to serve it. This protects the public health
and safety. The regulations also provide predictability in decision
making to both existing and new members of the community.
Predictability is a very important element in the complex and
difficult public and private decisions relating to growth.
16 BOZEMANMT 2020 COMMUNITY PLAN
PUBLIC OUTREACH
Developing Bozeman’s Community Plan involved a
lengthy public outreach period. The Planning Board
and City Commission provided guidance throughout
the process. Development of the Plan included four
distinct phases. The community was provided many
opportunities throughout the process to voice their
opinion including 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 and 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 City and its
residents’ process to develop this 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 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 that an area is a desirable place to live and is 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 year
since 2010—adding 12,000 jobs. Eighty percent of this growth occurred in the City of Bozeman.
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
Community Plan Process and Outreach, 2018 - 2020
CITY COMMISSION DRAFT, 20 OCTOBER 2020 17
INCOME
The median household income in Bozeman
is $49,217; however, the Bozeman median
household income is $79,662 for homeowners
and $35,012 for renters. This disparity may reflect,
to some extent, the impact of MSU students on
Bozeman statistical averages.
HOUSING
Figures in this section are from the 2019 Housing
Needs Assessment performed after the EPS
report was completed. About 45 percent of
households in the City own their homes, up from
43.5 percent in 2010. The median sale price
of homes, including single-detached 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.
According to the American Community Survey
there are 18,539 total households in Bozeman.
Twenty-four percent of homeowners are “cost
burdened”, which means they are paying
30 percent or more of their income towards
mortgage payments. Fifty-five percent of renters in
Bozeman are cost-burdened. In the United States
as a whole, 22.5 percent of homeowners were
cost-burdened in 2017, the last year statistics are
available.
Between 2010 and the fall of 2018, 43 percent of
homes built were multi-unit (3+), 41 percent were
single-detached, 14 percent were townhomes
and duplexes, and two percent were accessory
dwelling units (ADUs). Forty-one percent of homes
in Bozeman are single-detached, compared to
nearly 70 percent in Montana and 62 percent
nationally. 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, including 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 people with disabilities, 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
Seventy 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
landowners’ request, more than 6,650 acres of
land, about 10.3 square miles– more than doubling
its size.
The projected land demand over the Planning
Period, based on estimated population growth,
18 BOZEMANMT 2020 COMMUNITY PLAN
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 land area.
A more detailed description of Bozeman’s existing conditions can be found in Appendix C. For complete
details on projections, see Appendix D.
COMPARISON TO OTHER CITIES
Table 2 below presents descriptive statistics of Bozeman compared to five other communities around the West.
Table 2. Comparison to Other Cities
City
Median
HouseHold
inCoMe
(aCs,2018)
Median
Housing
PriCe
(Zillow,
2019)
Median
House PriCe
to Median
inCoMe
ratio
PoPulation
(aCs,
2019)
City land
area (sq.
Miles)
PoP. / sq.
Mile
growtH
% 2010 -
2019 (aCs,
2019)
annualiZed
growtH
rate (2010
- 2019)
Persons in
Poverty, %
(2019)
Bend, OR $63,468 $443,400 7.0 100,421 33.3 3016 31%3.1%10.3%
Billings, MT $57,172 $243,700 4.3 109,557 43.5 2519 5.1%0.5%10.2%
Boulder, CO $66,117 $793,578 12.0 107,673 25.7 4190 8.3%0.8%21.3%
BoZeMan, Mt $51,896 $440,200 8.5 49,831 20.9 2384 33.7%3.3%18.6%
Fort Collins, CO $62,132 $393,500 6.3 170,243 47.1 3615 17.5%1.8%16.8%
Meridian, ID $68,131 $326,400 4.8 114,161 26.8 4260 48.3%4.8%8.8%
Missoula, MT $45,010 $308,800 6.9 75,516 29.2604 12.1%1.2%18.3%
Sources: (ACS, 2018 and 2019) U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 5-Year Estimates.
(Zillow 2019) Zillow.com, Accessed December 1, 2019. City Land Area: Wikipedia
CITY COMMISSION DRAFT, 20 OCTOBER 2020 19
RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER PLANS
The Bozeman Strategic Plan is the overarching policy statement for the City. It was first 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 Plan primarily through its Vision Statement #4 entitled A
Well-Planned City. This Vision Statement focuses on five goals listed in the table below. The Strategic
Plan also provides direction on related issues 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.
Table 3. Strategic Plan Alignment
a resilient Citya City of neigHBorHoodsa City Bolstered By downtown and CoMPleMentary distriCtsa City influenCed By our natural environMent, Parks, and oPen landsa City tHat PrioritiZes aCCessiBility and MoBilitya City Powered By its Creative, innovative, and entrePreneurial eConoMya City engaged in regional CoordinationCovered By otHer Plansfuture land use MaPstrategiC Plan vision stateMent | a well-Planned City
1 Informed Conversation on Growth ••••••
2 High Quality Urban Approach •••••••••
3 Strategic Infrastructure Choices •••••••••
4 vibrant Downtown, Districts & Centers •••••••
5 Housing and Transportation Choices •••••••
The Themes reflect community priorities in prior plans, demonstrating a level of consistency in
community values over time. This 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. See Appendix B for a more detailed description of individual plans. Given the City’s
extensive operations, several plans are reviewed and updated each year. Please consult the most recent
version of each plan.
EXISTING PLANS
Bozeman Creek Enhancement
Plan – 2012
Bozeman Creek Neighborhood
Plan – 2005
Climate Action Plan – 2020
Community Housing Action Plan -
2020
Community Transportation Safety
Plan – 2013
Downtown Improvement Plan –
2019
Downtown Strategic Parking
Management Plan – 2016
Drought Management Plan – 2017
Economic Development Strategy
Update – 2016
Fire and EMS Master Plan – 2017
Gallatin County Hazard Mitigation
Plan and Community Wildfire
Protection Plan – 2019
Housing Needs Assessment –
2019
Integrated Water Resources
Implementation Plan – 2013
Integrated Water Resources Plan
– 2013
Midtown Action Plan – 2017
Neighborhood Conservation
Overlay District (NCOD) – 2019
Parks, Recreation, Open Space,
and Trails Plan – 2007
Stormwater Facilities Plan – 2008
Stormwater Management Plan –
2019
Transportation Master Plan – 2017:
Triangle Community Plan – 2020
Urban Forestry Management Plan
– 2016
Wastewater Collection Facilities
Plan Update – 2015
Water Facility Plan Update – 2017
20 BOZEMANMT 2020 COMMUNITY PLAN
BASIC PLANNING PRECEPTS
PRINCIPLES APPLIED IN THIS PLAN
Drawing on best land use practices, community input, Bozeman’s land use planning experience, and
the ideas discussed in the Themes, the City used the following principles to prepare the policies, goals,
objectives, land use designations, and future land use map in this Plan:
• The health and well-being of the public is an essential focus and influences and is influenced in turn
by urban design and land development.
• Urban design should integrate residential and commercial land use activities, multimodal
transportation, and open spaces.
• Variety in housing and employment opportunities are essential.
• Land use designations must respond to a broad range of factors, including infrastructure, natural, and
economic constraints, other community priorities, and expectations of all affected parties concerning
private development.
• Transportation infrastructure is vital in supporting desired land use patterns. Therefore, the two
must be coordinated. Future infrastructure should favor interconnected multimodal transportation
networks (i.e. infrastructure for bicycle, pedestrian, and transit modes of transport in addition to
automobiles).
• Diverse uses of land should occur relatively close to one another.
• The City intends to create a healthy, safe, resilient, and sustainable community by incorporating
a holistic approach to the design, construction, and operation of buildings, neighborhoods, and
the City as a whole. Developments should contribute to these goals and be integrated into their
neighborhood and the larger community.
• The needs of new and existing development coexist and they should remain in balance; neither
should overwhelm the other.
• Infill development and redevelopment should be prioritized, but incremental compact outward
growth is a necessary part of the City’s growth.
• Gathering places and open spaces, including parks and trails, should be in convenient locations to
those they serve. Quality and function is superior to quantity alone.
The growth policy forms the foundation of the land development process.
Subdivision/ Site Plan
Apply development standards to a specific
piece of property prior to physical construction
Zoning Map Amendment
Selection of a zoning district and
associated development standards on
one or more distinct properties
Growth Policy
Broad policy and coarse
geographic detail dealing
with multiple zoning districts
CITY COMMISSION DRAFT, 20 OCTOBER 2020 21
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 residents. For the Bozeman
community to continue to prosper, all residents
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 residents or can
make it harder for people to live healthy and
successful lives.
COMMUNITY DESIRES
People who have participated in this Plan
have consistently stated a desire for safe and
accessible streets that support and encourage
a variety of transportation preferences including
walking, bicycling, transit, and 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; residents 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. A description of public
participation is presented in Appendix A.
CITY’S ROLE
Development occurs most efficiently, and with
best results, when the public and private sectors
work together to achieve mutually compatible
goals. It is worth emphasizing that the vast
majority of the future built environment will be
designed, paid for, and constructed by the private
sector. The City provides foundational work by
providing infrastructure, public services, and
implementing design standards to shape the
fabric of the community.
GROWTH
Bozeman’s employment, population, and built
environment have been growing rapidly. This has
created community benefits including a strong
local economy, increased diversity, and innovation.
It has also led to growing pains—higher housing
costs and increased traffic to name two. The City’s
response to this is to pursue policies that mitigate
these growing pains. These policies are described
throughout this Plan.
HOUSING AFFORDABILITY
Housing affordability is a critical issue for the
community and has been an ongoing concern
since it was identified as an issue in the 1972
community master plan. Housing instability and
homelessness a public health issues and are
exacerbated by the rapid rise in housing prices.
The positive attributes that make Bozeman
a desirable place to live contributed to ever-
increasing housing demand. Comparatively low
wages have not increased at the same rate as
housing costs. Home price increase exceeding
wage increase is a national trend. The sale price
of homes has more than fully recovered from the
2008 recession for all housing types. The median
sale price of homes, including single-households,
townhomes and condominiums, has increased
90% since 2012. This is an average increase of
almost 12% per year.
According to the most recent 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, provides
choice to households, housing for employees
filling jobs vacated by retirees, workers filling new
jobs, plus related non-employee citizen housing
needs.
Bozeman has taken the issue of housing seriously.
It developed a housing needs assessment in 2019,
hired a Community Housing Program Manager,
22 BOZEMANMT 2020 COMMUNITY PLAN
and released the Community Housing Action Plan (CHAP) in October
2019. The CHAP was updated in April 2020.
At the time of publication, the availability of affordable housing,
whether for rent or for purchase, is one of Bozeman’s most serious
problems, as demonstrated by both the 2018 EPS Study and the
CHAP. Mitigating this shortage is a top priority of the Bozeman City
Commission, the Planning Board, and the Community Development
Department, in conjunction with local and regional authorities. The
three top action items in the Community Affordable Housing Action
Plan are:
• Ensuring community housing serves the full range of incomes
without losing sight of safety net programs for extremely low
income and homeless families. This includes safety net rentals
below 30% AMI (about $20,000 per year), additional resident and
employee rentals up to 80% AMI (about $55,000 per year), and
ownership housing up to 150% AMI (about $104,000 per year).
• Producing community housing at a rate that exceeds, or at least
matches, job growth so that new employees can find homes.
• Striving to produce community housing at a rate that matches
the spectrum of community housing needs, while also preserving
what we have through a target of no net loss of existing
community housing stock below 80% AMI.
The CHAP identifies 19 priority action strategies to be evaluated and,
where appropriate, utilized over the next five years in an effort to
accomplish the objectives. Because housing, including affordability,
is the subject of the detailed CHAP, this Plan does not address
housing affordability issues in detail. For additional, up-to-date detail,
see CAHAB and the Community Housing Action Plan.
However, zoning and land use regulations are processes that
influence the cost of housing and are addressed in this Plan. This
Plan supports housing regulations 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 other
community priorities.
More housing, in a variety of type, size, and cost, is needed at prices
that residents can afford. This will provide choices, the ability to
move as life circumstances change, allows employers to fill jobs,
recruit, and retain employees, supports businesses, and supports
citizen and student growth.
CITY COMMISSION DRAFT, 20 OCTOBER 2020 23
02
02 | THEMES
Seven Themes describe community-derived desired outcomes. The Themes contain objectives and
actions to guide the City towards its Vision. Application of the Themes evolve as the City grows, and
allow the City to incorporate new objectives as needed. The Themes are:
A RESILIENT CITY;
A CITY OF UNIQUE NEIGHBORHOODS;
A CITY BOLSTERED BY DOWNTOWN AND COMPLEMENTARY DISTRICTS;
A CITY INFLUENCED BY OUR NATURAL ENvIRONMENT, PARKS, AND OPEN LANDS;
A CITY THAT PRIORITIZES ACCESSIBILITY AND MOBILITY;
A CITY POWERED BY ITS CREATIvE, INNOvATIvE, AND ENTREPRENEURIAL ECONOMY;
A CITY ENGAGED IN REGIONAL COORDINATION.
24 BOZEMANMT 2020 COMMUNITY PLAN
THEME 1 | A RESILIENT CITY
Our City desires to be forward thinking, collaborative, and deliberate in planning
and execution of plans and policies to enable our community to successfully ride
the waves of change.
IMPORTANCE
Communities and the world around them are constantly changing. Resilient communities rebound,
positively adapt to, and thrive amidst changing conditions or challenges and maintain quality of life,
healthy growth, durable systems and conservation of resources for present and future generations.
Resiliency addresses both short-term or one-time shocks as well as long-term stressors.
Resiliency is needed to address a wide range of circumstances affecting all elements of the community
and its operations. Stressors include natural disasters, climate change, economic shocks and transitions,
and in 2020, a pandemic. Long term systems and adaptations, not just initial responses, are needed to
maintain a healthy community. Resiliency takes a holistic approach towards protecting and improving a
community. Bozeman is well positioned with diverse subject plans to address many of the likely areas
where stressors occur. The staff and elected officials work to coordinate between plans and actions. The
process of coordination is integrated with the constant process of updating plans, capital improvement
programs, budgets, and ordinances.
INFRASTRUCTURE
WATERSHEDS &
NATURAL RESOURCES
COMMUNITY
HEALTH & SOCIAL
ECONOMIC
HOUSING
CITY COMMISSION DRAFT, 20 OCTOBER 2020 25
During the development of the 2020 Community Plan, and at
the time of publication, the world has been beset by the COVID
Pandemic and the subsequent COVID Financial Crisis.
The impacts of COVID reach into the trillions of dollars worldwide.
Southwest Montana has fared better with COVID than most
communities on a global scale. At the time of publication, it appears
that this reduced initial COVID impact is creating significant in-
migration of citizens to Bozeman and its environs.
Mitigation of the impacts of both COVID and an influx of new citizens
to our community will require unprecedented resilience, agility,
and outside-the-box thinking, by all participants, the development
community, including the City of Bozeman Commission and staff at all
stages of the development process.
THEME 1 | GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND ACTIONS
Goal R-1: Continue to strengthen and develop resilience as a
community.
R-1.1 Be reflective: use past experience to inform future decisions.
R-1.2 Be resourceful: recognize alternative ways to use
resources.
R-1.3 Be inclusive: prioritize broad consultation to create a sense of shared ownership in decision making.
R-1.4 Be integrated: bring together a range of distinct systems and institutions.
R-1.5 Be robust: well-conceived, constructed, and managed systems.
R-1.6 Be redundant: spare capacity purposefully created to
accommodate disruption.
R-1.7 Be flexible: willingness and ability to adopt alternative strategies in response to changing circumstances.
Goal R-2: Pursue community decisions in a manner that
supports resilience.
R-2.1 Co-Benefits: Provide solutions that address problems across multiple sectors, creating maximum benefit.
R-2.2 High Risk and Vulnerability: Ensure that strategies directly
address the reduction of risk to human well-being, physical
infrastructure, and natural systems.
R-2.3 Economic Benefit-Cost: Make good financial investments
THEME 1: OTHER RELEVANT
PLANS
Climate Vulnerability Assessment
& Resiliency Strategy – 2019
Climate Action Plan – 2020
Community Transportation Safety
Plan – 2013
Drought Management Plan –
2017
Economic Development Strategy
Update – 2016
Fire and EMS Master Plan – 2017
Gallatin County Hazard Mitigation
Plan and Community Wildfire
Protection Plan – 2019
Housing Needs Assessment –
2019
Integrated Water Resources
Implementation Plan – 2013
Integrated Water Resources Plan
– 2013
Stormwater Management Plan –
2019
Transportation Master Plan –
2017
Urban Forestry Management Plan
– 2016
Wastewater Collection Facilities
Plan Update – 2015
Water Facility Plan Update – 2017
26 BOZEMANMT 2020 COMMUNITY PLAN
that have the potential for economic benefit to the investor and the broader community both
through direct and indirect returns.
R-2.4 Social Equity: Provide solutions that are inclusive with consideration to populations that are often most fragile and vulnerable to sudden impacts.
R-2.5 Technical Soundness: Identify solutions that reflect best practices that have been tested and proven to work in similar local or regional contexts.
R-2.6 Innovation: Advance new approaches and techniques that will encourage continual
improvement and advancement of best practices.
R-2.7 Adaptive Capacity: Include flexible and adaptable measures that consider future unknowns of changing climate, economic, and social conditions.
R-2.8 Harmonize with Existing Activity: Expand, enhance, or leverage work being done to build on existing efforts.
R-2.9 Long-Term and Lasting Impact: Create long-term gains to the community with solutions that are
replicable and sustainable, creating benefit for present and future generations.
CITY COMMISSION DRAFT, 20 OCTOBER 2020 27
THEME 2 | A CITY OF UNIQUE NEIGHBORHOODS
Our City desires to be diverse, healthy, and inclusive, defined by our vibrant
neighborhoods, quality housing, walkability, excellent schools, numerous parks
and trails, and thriving areas of commerce.
IMPORTANCE
Bozeman is indeed a city of unique 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.
Neighborhoods or communities that offer a mix of housing, needed services, and opportunities within
close proximity of each other are considered “complete communities”. They promote walking or short
commutes to the things in life we value and depend on including jobs, schools, places of worship,
friends, goods and services, open spaces, trails, appropriately scaled urban agriculture such as
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 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.
The need for a path to the emergence of small-scale neighborhood commercial development and its
ability to bring pedestrian access to coffee shops, groceries, and other daily experiences, and related
employment opportunities, is a critical part of Bozeman’s municipal maturation.
28 BOZEMANMT 2020 COMMUNITY PLAN
Neighborhood
ElementsServices
Parks and R e c r e a tio nJ obsSocial Netw
or
k
s
S e n s e o f Identity
GeographySchoolsServices Homes
CITY COMMISSION DRAFT, 20 OCTOBER 2020 29
Such a path is dependent on sufficient population density in such
neighborhoods to make neighborhood commercial viable. Typically,
this viability cannot be achieved co-emergently with construction of
neighborhood housing—for this reason other subsidy approaches
must be developed and deployed to make co-emergence possible.
THEME 2 | GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND ACTIONS
Goal N-1: Support well-planned, walkable neighborhoods.
N-1.1 Promote housing diversity, including missing middle
housing.
N-1.2 Increase required minimum densities in residential districts.
N-1.3 Revise the zoning map to lessen areas exclusively zoned
for single-type housing.
N-1.4 Promote development of accessory dwelling units (ADUs)
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 Encourage urban agriculture as part of focal point development, in close proximity to schools, and near dense or multi-unit housing.
N-1.7 Review and where appropriate, revise block and lot design standards, including orientation for solar power generation throughout city neighborhoods.
N-1.8 Install, replace, and maintain missing or damaged sidewalks, trails, and shared use paths.
N-1.9 Ensure multimodal connections between adjacent
developments
N-1.10 Increase connectivity between parks and neighborhoods through continued trail and sidewalk development. Prioritize closing gaps within the network.
N-1.11 Enable a gradual and predictable increase in density in developed areas over time.
N-1.12 Encourage major employers to provide employee housing within walking/biking distance of place of employment.
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
THEME 2: OTHER RELEVANT
PLANS
Bozeman Creek Neighborhood
Plan – 2005
Downtown Improvement Plan –
2019
Housing Needs Assessment –
2019
Midtown Action Plan – 2017
Neighborhood Conservation
Overlay District (NCOD) – 2019
Northeast Neighborhood Urban
Renewal Plan – 2005
30 BOZEMANMT 2020 COMMUNITY PLAN
neighborhood and community
commercial nodes early in the
development process.
N-2.2 Revise the zoning map to support higher intensity residential districts near
schools, services, and transportation.
N-2.3 Investigate and encourage development of commerce concurrent with, or soon
after, residential development. Actions,
staff, and budgetary resources relating to neighborhood commercial development should be given a high priority
N-2.4 Evaluate design standards. Encourage
development in appropriate districts of buildings that are capable of serving an initial residential purpose and be readily converted to commercial uses when
adequate market support for commercial
services exists.
N-2.5 Ensure that new development includes
opportunities for urban agriculture,
including rooftop and home gardens, community gardens, or urban farms.
Goal N-3: Promote a diverse supply of
quality housing units.
N-3.1 Establish standards for provisions of
diversity of housing types in a given
area.
N-3.2 Review zoning districts to assess the
range of housing types in each district.
N-3.3 Encourage distribution of affordable housing units throughout the City with priority given to locations near
commercial, recreational, and transit
assets.
N-3.4 Require development of affordable
housing through coordination of funding
for affordable housing and infrastructure.
N-3.5 Strongly discourage private covenants that restrict housing diversity or are
contrary to City land development policies or climate action plan goals.
N-3.6 Include adequate residentially-
designated areas for anticipated future
housing in the future land use map.
N-3.7 Support compact neighborhoods, small lot sizes, and small floor plans, especially
through mechanisms such as density bonuses.
N-3.8 Promote the development of "Missing
Middle" housing (side by side or stacked
duplex, triplex, live-work, cottage housing, group living, rowhouses/townhouses, etc.) as one of the most critical components of affordable
housing.
N-3.9 Ensure an adequate supply of appropriately designated land to accommodate Low Income Housing Tax
Credit development in qualifying census tracts.
Goal N-4: Continue to encourage Bozeman’s
sense of place.
N-4.1 Continue to recognize and honor
the unique history, neighborhoods,
neighborhood character, and buildings that contribute to Bozeman’s sense of place through programs and policy led by both City and community efforts.
N-4.2 Incorporate features, in both public and private projects, to provide organization, structure, and landmarks as Bozeman grows.
N-4.3 Revise Design Guidelines within the Conservation Overlay District to distinguish Downtown from the
residential neighborhoods, to encourage
neighborhoods and neighborhoods near transition areas, both north and south of Downtown.
N-4.4 Ensure an adequate supply of off-
leash facilities to meet the demand of Bozeman dog owners.
CITY COMMISSION DRAFT, 20 OCTOBER 2020 31
THEME 3 | 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
Thoughtful city planning provides a host of advantages from economic vitality to environmental health 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. The City intends to look inward by prioritizing
infill. Concentrated development uses land more efficiently, may reduce infrastructure costs, and reduces
the overall amount of road surface and need for parking lots, improving overall access to parks, schools,
and shops. Access is ultimately improved and places are connected through a variety of transportation
options.
Concentrated 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. 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, urban agriculture, and creativity in our public spaces.
Sources: ESRI, USGS, NOAA
OAK
HUFFINE
MAIN
KAGY7TH19THCOTTONWOODTo
B
e
l
g
r
a
d
e
To Living
s
t
o
n
HIGHLANDCHURCHBRIDGER
ROUSEBAXTER
VALLEY CENTER
SPRINGHILLLakes
Rivers
City and Private Parks
County Park
Major Roads
Local Roads
Fowler District
Downtown District
Cottonwood District
City Limits
Baxter/Cattail District
Midtown District
Montana State University District
North 19th District
Story Mill DistrictBase LayersFramework Layers0 0.25 0.5 1 Miles Ü
Story Mill District
N 19th
Midtown District
Downtown District
Montana State University District
Baxter/CattailDistrict
Cottonwood District
FowlerDistrict
32 BOZEMANMT 2020 COMMUNITY PLAN
This Diagram is for illustrative purposes, and is conceptual only.
Complementary Districts
CITY COMMISSION DRAFT, 20 OCTOBER 2020 33
THEME 3 | GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND ACTIONS
Goal DCD-1: Support urban development within the City.
DCD-1.1 Evaluate alternatives for more intensive development in proximity to high visibility corners, services, and parks.
DCD-1.2 Remove regulatory barriers to infill.
DCD-1.3 Work with state regulatory agencies and the legislature to remove disincentives in state law and regulations to municipal development.
DCD-1.4 Update the Unified Development Code (UDC) to reflect density increases or minimums within key districts.
DCD-1.5 Identify underutilized sites, vacant, and undeveloped sites for possible development or redevelopment, including evaluating possible development incentives.
DCD-1.6 Investigate expansion of existing or creation of new urban renewal areas to encourage redevelopment of key properties.
DCD-1.7 Coordinate infrastructure construction, maintenance, and upgrades to support infill
development, reduce costs, and minimize disruption to the public.
DCD-1.8 Collaborate with the Montana State University School of Architecture and the Sustainable Foods and Bioenergy Systems department to develop educational materials and
opportunities for local architects, community planners, and citizens on how to do quality urban design for infill and greenfield sites.
DCD-1.9 Promote mixed-use developments with access to parks, open space, and transit options.
DCD-1.10 Support University efforts to attract development near campus.
DCD-1.11 Pursue annexations consistent with the future land use map and adopted facility plans for development at urban intensity.
DCD-1.12 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-1.13 Pursue acquisition and development of diverse water sources and resources.
Goal DCD-2: Encourage growth throughout the City, while enhancing the pattern of
community development oriented on centers of employment and activity. Support an
increase in development intensity within developed areas.
DCD-2.1 Coordinate infrastructure development, land use development, and other City actions and
priorities through community planning.
DCD-2.2 Support higher density development along main corridors and at high visibility street
corners to accommodate population growth and support businesses.
DCD-2.3 Review and update minimum development intensity requirements in residential and non-residential zoning districts.
DCD-2.4 Evaluate revisions to maximum building height limits in all zoning districts to account for contemporary building methods and building code changes.
DCD-2.5 Identify and zone appropriate locations for neighborhood-scale commercial development.
34 BOZEMANMT 2020 COMMUNITY PLAN
DCD-2.6 Evaluate and pursue joint mitigation of development
impacts across multiple developments.
DCD-2.7 Encourage the location of higher density housing and public transit routes in proximity to one another.
DCD-2.8 Revise the zoning ordinance, reducing the number of zoning districts to be more consistent with the designated land use classifications, to simplify the
development process, and support affordability
objectives of the plan.
DCD-2.9 Evaluate increasing the number of stories allowed in centers of employment and activity
while also directing height transitions down to adjacent neighborhoods.
Goal DCD-3: Ensure multimodal connectivity within the City.
DCD-3.1 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-3.2 Identify missing links in the multimodal system, prioritize those most beneficial to complete,
and pursue funding for completion of those links.
DCD-3.3 Identify major existing and future destinations for biking and walking to aid in prioritization of route planning and completion.
DCD-3.4 Support implementation of the Bozeman Transportation Master Plan strategies.
DCD-3.5 Encourage increased development intensity in commercial centers and near major
employers.
DCD-3.6 Evaluate parking requirements and methods of providing parking as part of the overall
transportation system for and between districts.
Goal DCD-4: Implement a regulatory environment that supports the Community Plan goals.
DCD-4.1 Ensure that the Planning Department is supported with the resources required to effectively implement this plan, to dedicate staff to long range and regional planning efforts, and to process development applications expeditiously.
DCD-4.2 Continuously invite and give due consideration to the input of design and development professionals in the improvement of the city's project evaluation processes and development code.
DCD-4.3 Complete the transition to a form-based code and simplification so that it can be understood by the general public and consistently applied by planning staff.
DCD-4.4 Differentiate between development and redevelopment. Allow relaxations of code
provisions for developed parcels to allow redevelopment to the full potential of their zoning district.
THEME 3: OTHER RELEVANT
PLANS
Downtown Improvement Plan –
2019
Integrated Water Resources Plan
– 2013
Midtown Action Plan – 2017
CITY COMMISSION DRAFT, 20 OCTOBER 2020 35
THEME 4 | A CITY INFLUENCED BY OUR NATURAL ENVIRONMENT, PARKS, AND
OPEN LANDS
Our City is home to an outdoor-conscious population that honors and protects our
natural environment and our well-managed open space and parks system.
IMPORTANCE
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, protecting the health of our water
systems and our air quality, and grappling with the impacts of increased human population and invasive
plants and animals are some of our challenges.
Base LayersFramework Layersn
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SPRINGHILLLakes
Rivers
Trails
City and Private Parks
County Park
n Schools
Major Roads
Local Roads
City Limits
0 0.25 0.5 1 Miles Ü
For additional information, please visit: https://gisweb.bozeman.net/Html5Viewer/?viewer=gvlt
Peet’s Hill Park
Snowfill Recreation Area
Glen LakeRotary Park
Kirk Park
Bozeman Pond
Gallatin CountyRegional Park
Valley West Park
36 BOZEMANMT 2020 COMMUNITY PLAN
This Diagram is for illustrative purposes, and is conceptual only.
Parks and Open Lands
CITY COMMISSION DRAFT, 20 OCTOBER 2020 37
THEME 4 | GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND ACTIONS
Goal EPO-1: Prioritize strategic acquisition of parks to provide a variety of recreational
opportunities throughout the City.
EPO-1.1 Coordinate the location of existing and future parks to create opportunities for linear parks to connect larger parks. Prioritize quality locations and features in parks over quantity of parks.
EPO-1.2 Collaborate with partner agencies and organizations to establish sustainable funding sources for ongoing acquisition, construction, and operations of City parks, trails, gardens, and open space.
EPO-1.3 Incorporate unique and inclusive recreational and artistic elements into parks.
EPO-1.4 Research and implement multi-use features within parks to promote increased use and visitation. Wherever possible, parks are connected to multi-modal transportation options
and accessible for people with disabilities.
EPO-1.5 Work with partner organizations to identify and reduce impacts on at-risk, environmentally sensitive areas that contribute to water quality, wildlife corridors, or wildlife habitat,
specifically wildlife habitat as we continue outward growth.
EPO-1.6 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-2: Work to ensure that development is responsive to natural features.
EPO-2.1 Where appropriate, activate connections to waterways by creating locations, adjacent trails, and amenities encouraging people to access them.
EPO-2.2 Work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to keep wetlands mitigation within the Gallatin
Valley rather than locating to other watersheds.
EPO-2.3 Identify, prioritize, and preserve key wildlife habitat and corridors.
Goal EPO-3: Address climate change in the City’s plans and operations.
EPO-3.1 Support development of maintenance standards including sidewalk clearing, sidewalk surfaces, bike lanes, and procedures for consistent implementation.
EPO-3.2 Ensure complete streets and identify long-term resources for the maintenance of year-
round bike and multi-use paths to improve utilization and reduce annual per capita vehicle miles traveled.
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. Likewise, review and update standards for 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.
EPO-3.7 Review and update development regulations to implement facility and service plans when
38 BOZEMANMT 2020 COMMUNITY PLAN
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 into development standards.
EPO-3.10 Inclusion of community gardens, edible landscaping,
and urban micro-farms as part of open spaces outside
of watercourses and wetlands in subdivisions is encouraged where appropriate.
EPO-3.11 Support resource conservation through recycling,
composting, and other appropriate means.
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 City
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 floodplain and other 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 Complete the update for an integrated Hazard Management and Mitigation Plan.
EPO-4.6 Develop a plan to mitigate conflicts between humans
and wildlife through the use of proactive, non-lethal measures.
THEME 4: OTHER RELEVANT
PLANS
Bozeman Creek Enhancement
Plan – 2012
Cemetery Master Plan - 2018
Climate Action Plan – 2020
Drought Management Plan –
2017
Integrated Water Resources
Implementation Plan – 2013
Integrated Water Resources Plan
– 2013
Parks, Recreation, Open Space,
and Trails Plan – 2007
Stormwater Facilities Plan – 2008
Stormwater Management Plan –
2019
Transportation Master Plan –
2017:
Urban Forestry Management Plan
– 2016
Wastewater Collection Facilities
Plan Update – 2015
Water Facility Plan Update – 2017
CITY COMMISSION DRAFT, 20 OCTOBER 2020 39
THEME 5 | A CITY THAT PRIORITIZES ACCESSIBILITY AND MOBILITY CHOICES
Our City fosters the close proximity of housing, services, and jobs, and desires to
provide safe, efficient mobility for pedestrians, cyclists, transit users, and drivers.
IMPORTANCE
The best transportation plan is a good land use plan. Transportation systems impact the following: 1)
livability (in terms of traffic congestion, but also noise, pollution, physical activity, accessibility, 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). Notably, the Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport is the busiest airport
in the state. 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, bike lanes, and
transit networks help us move around our neighborhoods and promote safe, efficient passage to our
destinations.
MSU Strand Union
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County Park
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Bicycle Facilities
City LimitsBase LayersFramework LayersMajor Streamline Hubs
0 0.25 0.5 1 Miles Ü
For additional information, please visit: https://www.bozeman.net/visitors/bike-routes
40 BOZEMANMT 2020 COMMUNITY PLAN
This Diagram is for illustrative purposes, and is conceptual only.
Accessibility and Mobility
CITY COMMISSION DRAFT, 20 OCTOBER 2020 41
THEME 5 | 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 to one another.
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 users of other personal mobility devices ( 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 rideshare and other mobility choices into community planning regulations.
M-1.7 Develop a trunk network of high-frequency, priority transit service connecting major commercial nodes and coinciding 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, to include
wayfinding signage, 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 Eliminate parking minimum requirements in commercial districts and affordable housing areas and reduce parking
minimums elsewhere, acknowledging that demand for
parking will still result in new supply being built.
M-1.13 Work with community partners to expand the Main Street to
the Mountains network and integrate the larger community
recreational travel network.
M-1.14 Identify possible routes for future bicycle and pedestrian beltway/greenway.
Anticipating Changes in Multimodal Transportation
OHM Advisors
42 BOZEMANMT 2020 COMMUNITY PLAN
Goal M-2: Ensure multimodal safety.
M-2.1 Work with the Public Works Department, Police Department, 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 Develop safe crossings along priority and high utilization pedestrian and biking corridors.
THEME 5: OTHER RELEVANT
PLANS
Bozeman Community
Transportation Safety Plan – 2013
Downtown Strategic Parking
Management Plan – 2016
Transportation Master Plan –
2017
CITY COMMISSION DRAFT, 20 OCTOBER 2020 43
THEME 6 | A CITY POWERED BY ITS CREATIVE, INNOVATIVE, AND
ENTREPRENEURIAL ECONOMY
Our City benefits from and desires to further an expanding economy that
is powered by the talents of its residents, a dedicated and engaged business
community, and strong regional partnerships.
IMPORTANCEBozeman’s economy is diverse and expanding, with a mix of businesses and industries centered on
technology, healthcare, education, recreation, and tourism, and regional services. This is one of the
City’s great strengths. The City also has many lower wage jobs in service roles. Bozeman has access to cutting edge education and research at opportunities from Montana State University. With an enrollment
of nearly 17,000 students, the University hosts ten colleges that includes subjects such as Engineering, Agriculture, Business, and Nursing. Graduates have created offshoot industries that foster competencies
in several national industries, including businesses in opto-electronics, biofilm, and outdoor gear and
other industries. Continued investment in job training and education is needed to support continued economic growth.
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 state of the art
communications and information from distant consultants available locally. Immediate and short-distance
proximity to outdoor recreation opportunities provides significant daily mental and physical health
benefits to residents and employers, making Bozeman one of the most desirable innovation centers in
the country.Bozeman’s growing economy makes possible its increasing dynamism, diversity, and wealth. Each of the
major sectors of our economy – education, technology, outdoor recreations, tourism, health care, and
regional services – benefits from and reinforces the others. The growing economy provides resources
the money that enables the City to pursue its priorities.
Base LayersFramework LayersMontana State University
Bozeman Health
Cannery District
HotelBaxter
Gallatin Valley Mall
Sources: ESRI, USGS, NOAA
Ferguson Farm
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SPRINGHILLLakes
Rivers
City and Private Parks
County Park
Major Roads
Local Roads
Northeast Neighborhood Urban Renewal District
North Park Urban Renewal District
Midtown Urban Renewal District
Downtown Tax Increment District
City Limits
South Bozeman Technology District
0 0.25 0.5 1 Miles Ü
44 BOZEMANMT 2020 COMMUNITY PLAN
This Diagram is for illustrative purposes, and is conceptual only.
Financial and Economic Areas
CITY COMMISSION DRAFT, 20 OCTOBER 2020 45
THEME 6 | 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 those infrastructure projects that will strengthen
business and higher education communities as coordinated through the annual capital improvement plan.
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 affordable housing
in close proximity to large employers.
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.
EE-2.3 Adopt zoning regulations that establish and define the range of urban agricultural practices, including vertical
farms and other forms of urban farming, as a permitted or conditional use in appropriate locations. Urban agriculture can be compatible with a variety of land use designations shown on the Future Land Use Map.
THEME 6: OTHER RELEVANT
PLANS
Economic Development Strategy
Update – 2016
Transportation Master Plan –
2017
Wastewater Collection Facilities
Plan Update –2015
Water Facility Plan Update – 2017
46 BOZEMANMT 2020 COMMUNITY PLAN
THEME 7 | A CITY ENGAGED IN REGIONAL COORDINATION
Our City, in partnership with Gallatin County, Montana State University, and
other regional authorities, desires to address the needs of a rapidly growing
and changing regional population through strategic infrastructure choices and
coordinated decision-making.
IMPORTANCE
Cooperation between agencies makes sense. Conflicting decisions and lack of trust between agencies
can create complications and uncertainty, adversely affect our overall public health and safety, and drive up costs. 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. Regional coordination creates and maintains a coherent land use pattern that supports the
needs of existing and future residents and the desire to protect community character and amenities.
Cooperation between jurisdictions supports development patterns that do not compromise the ability of municipalities to grow in the future or expand necessary infrastructure. The jurisdictional lines between City and County, state land and local land, are important in helping define the roles of various public agencies.
Belgrade, Bozeman, and Gallatin County have mutually agreed they will coordinate land use in the area of overlapping jurisdictions known as the triangle, and pursuant to the Triangle Community Plan, to achieve:
• 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;• Well-planned transportation systems, consistent with the overall growth management vision, support the development of multi-modal and public transportation networks;• Community cores that have adequate transportation, utility, health, educational, and recreational
facilities. Residential areas that provide healthy surroundings; and • Opportunities for agriculture, industry, and business, while minimizing conflict between adjacent land uses.
CITY COMMISSION DRAFT, 20 OCTOBER 2020 47
This Diagram is for illustrative purposes, and is conceptual only.
Regional Partners
48 BOZEMANMT 2020 COMMUNITY PLAN
Bozeman commits to Gallatin County and the City of Belgrade to work together in pursuit of these goals.
The Planning Coordinating Committee will play a key role in coordinating this work.
THEME 7 | GOALS, OBJECTIVES AND ACTIONS
Goal RC-1: Improve communication and coordination with Gallatin County, the City of
Belgrade, public schools, 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 planning boards to coordinate planning issues.
RC-1.5 Implement the Triangle Community Plan in coordination between Bozeman, Belgrade, and Gallatin County.
RC-1.6 Prepare for establishment of a Metropolitan Planning Organization, anticipated to be required by federal law 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 Prohibit 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 Review and revise land use regulations and standards that affect the wildland urban interface 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 lands for acquisition or placement of conservation easements with the goal of lessening or eliminating development in environmentally sensitive areas and/or preserving 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 Work with Gallatin County to create compact, contiguous development and infill to achieve an
CITY COMMISSION DRAFT, 20 OCTOBER 2020 49
efficient use of land and infrastructure, reducing sprawl and
preserving open space, agricultural lands, wildlife habitat,
and water resources.
RC-3.2 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-3.3 Prioritize annexations that enable the incremental expansion of the City and its utilities.
RC-3.4 Encourage annexation of land adjacent to the City prior to development and encourage annexation of wholly surrounded areas.
RC-3.5 Establish standard practices for sharing development application information and exchanging comments between the City and County.
RC-3.6 Develop shared information on development processes.
RC-3.7 Provide education and information on the value and benefits of annexation, including existing un-annexed pockets surrounding the City, to individual landowners and the community at large.
Establish interlocal agreements, when appropriate, to formalize working relationships and
procedures.
RC-3.8 Coordinate with Gallatin County for siting, development, and redevelopment of regional parks, emergency services, fairgrounds, transportation facilities, interchanges, or other significant
regional services.
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.
THEME 7: OTHER RELEVANT
PLANS
Bozeman Strategic Plan – 2018
Fire and EMS Master Plan – 2017
Gallatin County Hazard Mitigation
Plan and Community Wildfire
Protection Plan – 2019
Triangle Community Plan – 2020
Wastewater Collection Facilities
Plan Update – 2015
Water Facility Plan Update – 2017
50 BOZEMANMT 2020 COMMUNITY PLAN
03
03 | FUTURE LAND USE
IMPORTANCE
Future land use is the community’s fundamental building block. It is an illustration of the City’s desired
outcome to accommodate the complex and diverse needs of its residents. Part of Bozeman’s appeal is
its distinct character. Its character comes from the natural setting and includes the sense of place created
by constructed landmarks such as Downtown and the MSU campus. Continuing Bozeman’s character
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
the seat of a bike or a car, a bus, or when walking. As Bozeman continues to evolve, promoting this
landscape diversity will be important to maintaining the community character 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 COMMISSION DRAFT, 20 OCTOBER 2020 51
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 residents, 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. Understanding the future land use map is not possible without understanding
the category descriptions. Land use categories are not regulatory. Each category description can be
implemented by multiple zoning districts. The land use categories and descriptions provide a guide for
appropriate development and redevelopment locations for civic, residential, commercial, industrial, and
other uses. The Future land use designations are important because they aim to further the vision and
goals of the City through promoting sustainability, citizen and visitor safety, and a high quality of life that
will shape Bozeman’s future development.
52 BOZEMANMT 2020 COMMUNITY PLAN
FUTURE LAND USE MAP - LAND USE DESCRIPTIONS
The Future Land Use Map for the Planning Area is an indispensable part of this Plan. It utilizes ten land
use categories to illustrate and guide the intent, type of use, density, and intensity of future development.
The map does not always represent existing uses but does reflect the uses that are desired. 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 are developed that
address areas outside City limits, development would need to meet the terms of these agreements. Land
use categories are not regulatory in and of themselves. The Correlation with Zoning table shows the
existing zoning districts that implement the intent of each district.
The future land use map is not limited to conditions or needs expected within a certain number of years.
It depicts what, at whatever time the land changes use, what the City sees as the best long term use.
It may take many plan update cycles before the depicted conditions on the future land use map occur.
The Planning Area boundary and development opportunities are coordinated with the City’s water and
sewer plans. These plans are periodically updated. The Planning Area boundary and capacity should be
reviewed to accommodate changes in these plans. Amendments to the FLUM follow the procedures in
Chapter 5. Due to limitations of scale and ability to predict the nuances of land development, the water
bodies and streams are not depicted nor are the locations of future parks.
The categories are as follows:
1. URBAN NEIGHBORHOOD.
This category primarily includes urban density homes in a variety of types, 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 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 to be, but are not required or restricted to, proximity to commercial mixed use areas to
facilitate the provision of services and employment opportunities without requiring the use of a car.
Near Enterprise Blvd. and Graf St.Northeast NeighborhoodsNear N. Black Ave. and E. Beall St.
CITY COMMISSION DRAFT, 20 OCTOBER 2020 53
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 single-attached and small single-detached dwellings,
apartments, and live-work units. If buildings include ground floor commercial uses, residences should be
located on upper floor. 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 be well served by multimodal
transportation routes. 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.
Cannery District Northeast NeighborhoodsNear Enterprise Blvd. and Graf St.
54 BOZEMANMT 2020 COMMUNITY PLAN
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. The urban character expected in this designation includes urban
streetscapes, plazas, outdoor seating, public art, and hardscaped open space and park amenities. 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 or other methods of
transition may be required for compatibility with adjacent development.
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. These smaller centers support and help give identity to
neighborhoods by providing a visible and distinct focal point as well as employment and services. Densities
of nearby homes needed to support this scale are an average of 14 to 22 dwellings per net acre.
Northeast Neighborhoods Ferguson FarmsCannery District
CITY COMMISSION DRAFT, 20 OCTOBER 2020 55
4. TRADITIONAL CORE.
The traditional core of Bozeman is Downtown. This area exemplifies high quality urban design including
an active streetscape supported by a mix of uses on multiple floors, a high level of walkability, and a rich
architectural and local character. Additionally, essential government services and flexible spaces for events
and festivals support opportunities for civic and social engagement. The intensity of development in this
district is high with a Floor Area Ratio (FAR) well over 1. As Bozeman grows, continued evolution is necessary
for long-term resilience. Challenges do exist, particularly around keeping local identity intact, balancing
growth sensitively, and welcoming more transportation modes and residents. Underdevelopment and a lack
of flexibility can threaten the viability of the land use designation. Future development should be intense
while providing areas of transition to adjacent neighborhoods and preserving the character of the Main Street
Historic District through context-sensitive development.
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 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 to 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.
Main St.Main St.Babcock St.
1001 Oak Street Highland Blvd.Kenyon Noble
56 BOZEMANMT 2020 COMMUNITY PLAN
6. MAKER SPACE MIXED USE
This classification provides areas for dynamic mixed uses including technology industries, manufacturing,
research and development, offices, and supportive uses to provide employment and services to the
community. Opportunity for live/work may be provided or housing elements integrated on upper floors of
mixed use buildings. Careful consideration is given to public policies supporting compatibility to enable mixed
uses to coexist in harmony. Development within these areas is often intensive and the area is connected to
significant transportation corridors. Although use in these areas may be intense, they are part of the larger
community and standards for architecture and site design apply.
Multi-Modal Freight Terminal Northwestern EnergyStraightaway Motors
7. 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.
S&S Building Employment with on site residentialOffices
CITY COMMISSION DRAFT, 20 OCTOBER 2020 57
8. PARKS AND OPEN LANDS.
All recreational lands, including parks, are included within this category, as well as certain private lands.
These areas are generally open in character and may or may not be developed for active recreational
purposes. This category includes conservation easements or other private property which may not be open
for public use.
Sourdough Trail AreaStory Mill Park Meyers Lake
10. 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.
9. PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS.
The land in this classification is owned by a public entity. A variety of activities are undertaken in this land
use classification. Schools are a dominant use including Montana State University. Other typical uses are
libraries, fire stations, and publicly operated utilities. A significant portion of Bozeman’s employment occurs within
this category.
Meadowlark Elementary SchoolBozeman Public Library, Main St.City Hall
58 BOZEMANMT 2020 COMMUNITY PLAN
Legend
CORRELATION WITH ZONING
The zoning districts which implement each future land use category are shown in relation to each future
land use category in chart below. For zoning district intent, see 38.300. For permitted uses, see 38.310.
Urban Residential
R-S, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, R-O, REMU
RMH, B-1, PLI
Residential Mixed Use
R-3, R-4, R-5, R-O, B-1, PLI
Community Commercial Mixed Use
R-O, REMU, B-1, B-2, B-2M, UMU, NEHMU
PLI
Traditional Core
B-2M, B-3, PLI
Regional Commercial & Services
B-2, B-2M, UMU, PLI
Maker Space Mixed Use
BP, M-1, NEHMU, PLI
Industrial
M-1, M-2, BP, PLI
Parks & Open Lands
PLI
Public Institutions
PLI
Low Density Housing
Moderate Density Housing
Medium Density Housing
High Density Housing &
Mixed Use
Neighborhood & Community
Commercial & Business
Office
Downtown Business &
Mixed Use
Large Commercial & Business
Manufacturing & Artisan
Public Lands, Parks,
& Open Space
Educational Facilities
Civic Buildings & Institutions
Maker Space
CITY COMMISSION DRAFT, 20 OCTOBER 2020 59
THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP
The Future Land Use Map on the following page identifies the
land use catergories that are detailed on the previous pages in
Chapter 3. 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.
IN
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STUCKY RD
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SOURDOUGH RD S 11TH AVE WMA I N ST
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W BABCOCK ST
W OAK ST DAVIS LN BRIDGER CANYONRD
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SWILLSONAVEGRAF ST
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City of Bozeman Planning Area
0 2 41Miles
Revised: 10/30/20 City of Bozeman Strategic Services Department
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Growth Policy Boundary
City Limits
60 BOZEMANMT 2020 COMMUNITY PLAN
IN
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STUCKY RD
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SOURDOUGH RD S 11TH AVE WM A I N ST
E VALLEY CENTER RD
W BABCOCK ST
W OAK ST DAVIS LN B R I D GER CANYONRD
W COLLEGE ST
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SWILLSONAVEGRAF ST
EKAGYBLVD
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Future Land Use Map
The boudaries depicted on this map are subject to change through individual amendments and growth policy updates as described in Chapter 5 of this growth policy.
0 2 41Miles
Revised: 10/30/20 City of Bozeman Strategic Services Department
´
Growth Policy Boundary
City Limits
Parks and Open Lands
Urban Neighborhood
Traditional Core
Residential Mixed Use
Regional Commercial and Services
Community Commercial Mixed Use
Industrial
Public Institutions
No City Services
CITY COMMISSION DRAFT, 20 OCTOBER 2020 61
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62 BOZEMANMT 2020 COMMUNITY PLAN
04 | IMPLEMENTATION
IMPORTANCE
Implementation of the goals, objectives, and actions of this Plan will require work in coordination with
action items listed below and referred to in more detail in Chapter 2. Implementation will proceed in
coordination with the City’s Strategic Plan, Capital Improvements Program, and other relevant plans and
documents guiding the City. Some of the actions are already underway while others will occur in the
future. Not all factors needed for success are controlled by the City. Successful implementation of this
Plan will require dedication, engagement, and hard work from the community.
This Plan is intended to be a living document used daily by the City. Measuring and reporting on the
Plan’s efficacy (or outcomes) is a main tenant of the Plan. Successful implementation of the Plan will be
enhanced by periodic reporting and by objective monitoring. These activities can determine how well
the City’s initial objectives are working, where they can be improved, and what is not working.
To that end, the Department of Community Development will annually provide a report to the Planning
Board and the City Commission summarizing the actions taken to date to achieve each of the Objectives
and Actions described in Chapter 2 and the success of these actions.
In addition, objective monitoring will take place at specified intervals based on information availability.
Indicators have been identified for each Theme in order to track progress and setbacks. For example,
one indicator under the neighborhoods-based Theme evaluates housing stock diversity by looking at
square footages, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and the taxable value of homes. A diverse
housing stock is indicative of a City that is more accessible and affordable to those of all incomes.
04
CITY COMMISSION DRAFT, 20 OCTOBER 2020 63
SHORT-TERM ACTION LIST
This Plan identifies many actions and objectives to address the listed goals. Many actions are ongoing.
Some are specific shorter term actions to implement this Plan. The following list is not listed in any order
of priority and is drawn from those shorter term actions listed in Chapter 2.
1. Review potential upzoning to implement objectives N-1.1, N-1.2, and N-1.4 .
2. Evaluate zoning map changes needed to implement objectives N-1.3, N-2.1, N-2.2, and N-3.9 consistent with factors identified in Chapter 5, Zoning Amendment Review. 3. Evaluate design standards as identified in objectives N-1.7 and N-2.4. 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.
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 as noted in objective DCD-2.4.5. Update land development standards to implement the Integrated Water Resources Plan as
identified in objective EPO-3.5.
6. Identify missing links in the multimodal system, prioritize those most beneficial to complete, and pursue funding for completion of those links as noted in objectives M-1.4, M-1.9, and M-1.11.7. Evaluate parking requirements and methods of providing parking as part of the overall transportation system for and between districts as noted in objective M-1.12.
8. Revise current intersection level of service design standards to multimodal level of service or traffic
stress for people walking, biking, and using transit as identified in objective M-1.3.9. Prepare for establishment of a Metropolitan Planning Organization, anticipated to be required after the completion of the 2020 US Census and noted in objective RC-1.6.10. Establish standard practices for sharing development application information and exchanging
comments between the City and County as identified in objective RC-3.5.
11. Revise the zoning map to harmonize with the future land use map as noted in objectives N-1.3, N-2.1, N-2.2, EE-1.6, and RC-4.4.12. Update the UDC to reflect density increases or minimums within key districts as noted in objectives DCD-1.4, EPO-1.6, and RC-4.4.
13. Retain firm that specializes in form-based development codes to evaluate the City's UDC,
especially with regard to completing the transition to a form-based code and simplification so that it can be understood by the general public and consistently applied by planning staff. 14. Work with partner organizations to implement EPO-1.5 to identify and reduce impacts on
environmentally sensitive areas.
MONITORING AND UPDATESTracking and monitoring the accomplishment of 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—from where the data should be drawn, description, frequency—defines how often
the data is available, and set forth notes describing key considerations.
The development of indicators requires 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 as for indicators for 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 trends; 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
64 BOZEMANMT 2020 COMMUNITY PLAN
of specific targets for each indicator should be completed within six months of Plan adoption. After that
first year, an annual report on the status of each indicator should be provided to the community.
Table 5. Monitoring and Updates
Indicator Source Frequency Notes Target
qualitative City Measures
Community Perception of
City Performance
Citizen Satisfaction Survey 3 year cycle Intent to capture citizen quality
of life measures such as ICMA
National Citizen Survey
Maintain or
improve land
use related
scores
a City of unique neigHBorHoods
Housing Stock Diversity State of Montana
Department of Revenue,
MLS
2 years Type, Square footage, number of
bedrooms, and number of baths
Maintain or
increase
Residential Density State of Montana,
Department of Revenue
Real-time data
analyzed and
published annually
Gross dwelling units per acre
of residentially-zoned and
developed 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
Location of Development City of Bozeman, CDD Real-time data
analyzed and
published annually
Development within subdivisions
platted more than and less than
35 years ago
Increase
redevelopment
a City influenCed By our natural environMent, Parks, and oPen lands
Park Accessibility City of Bozeman, GIS 2 years Percentage of residents/
households within ½-mile walking
distance to open space or trails.
Increase
Vehicle Miles Traveled MDOT 2 years Per capita Reduce
a City tHat PrioritiZes aCCessiBility and MoBility CHoiCes
Transit Accessibility Streamline Annually Increase ridership.Increase
a City Powered By its Creative, innovative, and entrePreneurial eConoMy
Land Use Availability City of Bozeman,
Community Development
Division, GIS Division
Monthly data
analyzed and
published annually
Availability of land not for
economic activity based on
annual land use inventory
Maintain
a City engaged in regional Coordination
City Expansion City of Bozeman,
Community Development
Division; Gallatin County
Planning Staff
2 years Number of projects within the
Planning Area but outside of City
limits that conform to adopted
interlocal agreements
Maintain
CITY COMMISSION DRAFT, 20 OCTOBER 2020 65
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
when necessary updated, to accommodate future events.
66 BOZEMANMT 2020 COMMUNITY PLAN
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 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. Any review
of the growth policy should consider the triggers
presented below. Periodic formal and informal
reviews 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: Five years after the plan is adopted it must be
reviewed.
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. 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 suggest 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 the result of a review as triggered
above or 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
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 conflicts
are resolved.
WHO MAY INITIATE AMENDMENTS
CITY COMMISSION DRAFT, 20 OCTOBER 2020 67
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; and
3. Interested members of the public may
suggest modifications to the text.
Any proposed changes to either the text or maps
contained in this Plan must comply with all of the
criteria described 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.
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; and
4. The proposed amendment may must not
adversely affect the community as a whole
or any significant portion thereof 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 inadequately mitigated
impacts on facilities or services, or
d. Negatively affecting the health and
safety of the residents.
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
residents 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 are to direct and
govern the review and use of land to ensure they
68 BOZEMANMT 2020 COMMUNITY PLAN
conform to the Bozeman growth policy.
REVIEW PARTICIPANTS
Many agencies and review bodies review
subdivisions. Reviews are to be conducted by
each agency, as needed. The purpose of these
reviews is to verify compliance with the law and
identify concerns which may require mitigation.
These entities may include, but are not limited to
the following:
• 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
provides an overview of how those criteria are
used during the review of subdivisions
AGRICULTURE
Agriculture is defined as follows: 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
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
follows: Those facilities, which include but are
not limited to ditches, pipes, and other water-
conveying facilities that 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 stormwater does not constitute beneficial
CITY COMMISSION DRAFT, 20 OCTOBER 2020 69
use for the purposes of presumption 2
above unless agreed to by the facility owner.
Stormwater facilities may require separate
easements or other procedures.
4. Agricultural Water User Facilities are subject
to Section 70-17-112, and Section 85-7-2211
and 85-7-2212, MCA.
LOCAL SERVICES
Local Services mean all services provided by
governmental bodies for the benefit of residents.
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
the 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 is to be
provided.
4. Lack of adequate service capacity and
capability within local services is grounds for
denial of subdivision approval when impacts
of proposed subdivisions are not mitigated.
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,
stormwater 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. Wildlife habitat means the
place or type of habitat where wildlife naturally
thrives. Habitat excludes areas developed for
human use including agriculture.
The following presumptions apply:
1. Lands within the designated urban area are
typically utilized for development purposes
and will have a minor impact on wildlife
habitat. Watercourse corridors and wetlands
are an exception to this presumption. The
designated urban area includes all lands
except the No City Services category 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
70 BOZEMANMT 2020 COMMUNITY PLAN
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 groups.
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 always present despite
efforts to prevent harm. Developments are
not solely responsible for the correction
of risks 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
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 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
they may 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 makes the recommendation 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 the applicant and the
applicant’s representative(s).
5. Questions from the Commission or Planning
Board to staff or the 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
CITY COMMISSION DRAFT, 20 OCTOBER 2020 71
speak, the public hearing/comment will be
closed and the Commission or Planning
Board will then return to its discussion of the
project. They 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 record 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. When 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 the District Court after a final
decision has been rendered. Appeals are
subject to state law requirements.
ZONING AMENDMENT REVIEW
Zoning establishes many of the standards
and review processes for the use of land.
Amendments to zoning change the rules with
consequence. 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 outlines 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 the entire area within City boundaries.
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.
72 BOZEMANMT 2020 COMMUNITY PLAN
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 amendments to occur.
See below for a summary of that process. The
process to initiate amendments is established 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
reaching the intended outcome, and changes like
installation of new infrastructure. Some examples
include the following:
a. Changes to state or federal law that the
zoning must address or if it is in conflict
with the changes, zoning must address.
b. Court decisions changing the
interpretation of meaning of the law that
interacts with zoning.
c. Change in circumstances including 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.
d. 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 zoning map amendments, the City’s
longstanding practice is to consider item d as an
adequate justification for consideration of a zoning
map change. In doing so, the 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 is 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 property owner
to have an 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 zoning
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.
WHEN DOES THE CITY INITIATE ZONING CHANGES
TO INCREASE DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES?
The City Commission may initiate an amendment
to the zoning map to enable additional
development in a specific area. In examining
whether to do so, the Commission may consider
many factors including but not limited to the
following:
• The existing zone district does not match the
growth policy future land use map in Chapter
3.
• Forty percent or more of the existing uses
CITY COMMISSION DRAFT, 20 OCTOBER 2020 73
within an area are not principal uses within the
zone district presently in place.
• There is 40% or more available sewer capacity
and there is less than 10% vacant land within
the sewer drainage area.
• Proximity to parks that are larger than 1 acre.
• Vacant annexed areas which are 10 acres or
larger in size.
• Areas within ¼ mile of MSU (roughly 4 blocks)
and not in a National Register Historic District.
• Revising zoning boundaries to better follow
preferred dividing lines such as streets or
watercourses.
• Request of multiple landowners in the area.
• Available capacity in the water plant and water
reclamation facilities and permits.
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. This section gives an overview of
how those criteria and guidelines apply during the
review of individual zoning map 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 evaluate
whether the applicable criteria are met, not
applicable, or if the benefits of the change offset
negative impacts. 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;
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
76-2-304(1) criteria.
Under state law, (1) zoning regulations must be “(a)
made in accordance with a growth policy.”
This criterion gives the Commission latitude.
Zoning map amendments’ are to correlate to
the future land use map. 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. Therefore, 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
“(b) be 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.
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
74 BOZEMANMT 2020 COMMUNITY PLAN
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 outline’s 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.
(2) In the adoption of zoning regulations, the
municipal governing body shall consider the
following:
(a) 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,
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 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 ensure they are applicable to current
conditions.
Review of development proposals such
as subdivisions or site development
look at the transportation, park and
trail, and facility plans, consider existing
conditions, and requires the 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
CITY COMMISSION DRAFT, 20 OCTOBER 2020 75
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. Therefore, 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 and
between districts. The determination of
compatibility takes place 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 through 3, above. What
combination 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. The planning process
refers to high level 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
76 BOZEMANMT 2020 COMMUNITY PLAN
map.
The City creates standards under items 1
through 3; 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 Parks and Open Lands and the Public
Institutions districts because it supports
both recreational functions in Story Mill
Park and an essential water treatment role
at the Water Reclamation Facility.
The character of a district is seen from
two 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
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
CITY COMMISSION DRAFT, 20 OCTOBER 2020 77
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 may 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 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. For example, 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
78 BOZEMANMT 2020 COMMUNITY PLAN
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.
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 submit comments 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 follows:
1. The public hearing is 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 the 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
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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.
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.
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