HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-21-20 Planning Board MinutesBozeman Planning Board Meeting Minutes, 12-21-20
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THE PLANNING BOARD MEETING OF BOZEMAN, MONTANA
MINUTES
Monday, December 21, 2020
00:27:36 WebEx Meeting Information
A) 00:31:10 Call Meeting to Order
Present: Henry Happel, Cathy Costakis, Richard Rudnicki, Gerald Pape, Mark Egge, George Thompson,
Jennifer Madgic, Marty Matsen (City Staff), Susan Bilo (Speaker)
Absent: None
C) 00:32:00 Changes to the Agenda
No changes to the agenda.
E) 00:32:11 Approval of Minutes
E.1 00:32:11 Approval of the November 16th, 2020 meeting minutes
Cover Page
11-16-20 Planning Board Minutes DRAFT.pdf
00:32:31 Motion Recommended Motion: I move to approve the November 16th meeting minutes.
Cathy Costakis: Motion
No second required
00:32:42 Vote on the Motion to approve Recommended Motion: I move to approve the November 16th
meeting minutes. The Motion carried 6 - 0
Approve:
Henry Happel
Cathy Costakis
Gerald Pape
Mark Egge
George Thompson
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Jennifer Madgic
Disapprove:
None
G) 00:32:52 Public Comment
H) 00:36:33 Special Presentations
H.1 Solar Subdivision in White Hall, Presentation by Susan Bilo
Cover Page
00:38:17 Solar Subdivision Presentation
Susan Bilo introduced herself and provided a brief background regarding her career. Following, she
spoke about a housing project in White Hall that utilizes solar energy. Professor Bilo then inquired as to
why solar energy isn't utilized more in Bozeman and reiterated the benefits. Professor Bilo then
answered questions from the board members.
I) 00:56:44 Action Items
I.1 Work Session on the Planning Board's Goals and Objectives for 2021
Cover Page
Happel Goals Memo to PB-121215.pdf
Saunders memo to PB 12-16-2020.pdf
Strategic Service Community Plan Performance Indicators - 20201216.pdf
Strategic Service Community Plan Performance Indicators Update to Planning Board.pdf
00:57:00 Introduction
Chairman Happel provided an introduction and asked board members to each speak for roughly three
minutes to share their goals and objectives for the Planning Board for 2021.
00:59:52 Board Member Egge
Board member Mark Egge shared the following goals:
- Looking at form based code per the Growth Policy.
- Participate within the UDC Community Platform, by helping to advise on which items are selected and
prioritized.
- Reevaluate the composition of the board body as nine members is a bit unwieldly.
- Resident freeholder requirement should be removed as it is not appropriate.
01:04:06 Board Member Costakis
Board member Cathy Costakis shared the following goals:
- To emphasize the connection to public health and wellness as well as social and economic health in
their roles as Planning Board members.
- Look at pedestrian and bicycle network for safe transportation
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- Look at the cost of housing, increasing density which would require less infrastructure
- Partnerships with other sectors
- Simplifying the Unified Development Code
01:09:13 Board Member Pape
Board member Jerry Pape shared the following goals:
- Better communication between citizens and Planning Board
- Request to City Commission budget and resources for rewrite of UDC
- Board take on a role of guiding the City Commission rather than "rubber stamp board"
- Would like more exposure to head Planner and Director of Community Development
01:15:00 Commissioner Madgic
City Commissioner & Commission Liaison to the board Jen Madgic shared the goals and objectives she'd
like to see the board work toward:
- Post growth policy outreach
- Board education, including guest speakers
- Integrated mix of housing within subdivisions
01:19:22 Board Member Rudnicki
Board member Richard Rudnicki shared the following goals:
- Review metrics and assess whether metrics are informing as intended
- Play a role in the Unified Development Code related to consistency between UDC and Growth Policy -
will they help achieve growth policy objectives
- Take advantage of low hanging fruit related to code provisions
- Related to board productivity, stick to bylaws more to limit the length of presentations
- Be cautious of amending motions to avoid confusion
01:24:56 Board Member Thompson
Board member George Thompson shared the following goals:
- Incorporate work-arounds within the UDC
- Start with discussion to increase clarity of motions
01:28:33 Chairman Happel
Chairman of the board Henry Happel shared the following goals:
- Annual report regarding work toward growth policy
- Information provided by city related to subdivision development - look more at surrounding area
rather than within proposed area and be made aware of major issues during the review process
- Information flow - staff is ready to approve, therefore board should approve. Review and approval
would carry more weight if board had access to more information. Can they utilize sources outside of
Community Development?
- Board competence - work toward being a source of trusted advice separate from the city. Broader and
deeper Planning expertise.
- Look at the way they debate, create, and finalize motions.
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- Generally improve process
- Shorten staff reports from an average of 25 pages to 5 pages, removing a lot of 'boiler plate'
information.
01:40:37 Commissioner Madgic asked Director of Community Development, Marty Matsen to
speak about some of the points discussed.
Director Matsen shared that he will discuss the Planning Board budget with the City Manager. He also
shared that meetings like this, where others are able to hear board member objectives, are helpful to
staff. Director Matsen then discussed subdivision review and shared that staff works hard to eliminate
unresolved issues prior to a project being brought before the board.
01:48:18 Additional Remarks
Board member Rudnicki shared that he felt if a project has too many issues, it should be denied rather
than approved with a large amount of conditions. He concurred that staff reports could be shorter.
Board member Mark Egge shared that he'd like to see more alignment with the City's Strategic Plan, as
well as with other advisory boards' efforts.
Board member Jerry Pape spoke to Chairman Happel's goal of becoming a trusted source for the
City. He made the point that the board needs experience with development within the community, and
continued to share his experience with the Community Development Department. Additionally, board
member Pape shared that he felt the resources for Community Development need to vastly expand.
Chairman Happel shared that he will create a memo capturing the comments made this evening, and
will circulate among board members to prepare for a second meeting.
Board member Cathy Costakis shared that she felt the community engagement piece is critical to the
success of the board.
Commissioner Jen Madgic provided a clarification regarding a resident free holder requirement, state
code statute 76-1-221.
J) 02:08:52 FYI/Discussion
K) 02:11:44 Adjournment
For more information please contact Tom Rogers at (406) 582-2268 or trogers@bozeman.net
This board generally meets the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month.