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HomeMy WebLinkAbout003_Narrative Bozeman Health Subarea Plan Growth Policy Amendment Narrative 1 Bozeman Health Subarea Plan Growth Policy Amendment Narrative March 2024 1. Project Overview Bozeman Health is nearing the comple�on of a subarea plan for its expansive 500+ acre property along Highland Boulevard on the eastern edge of Bozeman, Montana. Notably, 400 acres of this land remain undeveloped, offering an opportunity to create a though�ul vision for future growth. The Bozeman Health Subarea Plan (Subarea Plan) serves as a strategic blueprint, outlining the framework for the poten�al future development of this extensive property. The Subarea Plan’s primary objec�ves include the preserva�on and enhancement of the trails and open spaces within Highland Glen, a commitment to smart expansion of medical facili�es and suppor�ng services, and the establishment of walkable, mixed use neighborhoods featuring a diverse array of housing op�ons. This Growth Policy Amendment (GPA) is comprised of two parts. The first seeks to adopt the Bozeman Health Subarea Plan as an amendment to the Bozeman 2020 Community Plan (Community Plan), recognizing the necessity of a comprehensive approach to effec�vely manage Bozeman Health’s significant acreage. The size of the property warrants an area plan to guide any future development. Bozeman Health acknowledges the importance of integra�ng this strategic subarea framework into the broader Community Plan, ensuring that any future growth aligns with the City’s collec�ve vision while preserving the natural and cultural characteris�cs that make this area dis�nct. Secondly, as iden�fied within the Subarea Plan, Bozeman Health also seeks to revise the City of Bozeman’s Future Land Use Map (FLUM) through this Growth Policy Amendment. Specifically, Bozeman Health proposes designa�ng the future land use of the almost 142 acres of Highland Glen as Parks and Open Space. Currently, Highland Glen is designated as primarily Urban Neighborhood with small por�ons designated as Community Commercial Mixed Use and Residen�al Mixed Use. This amendment aims to secure Highland Glen as a natural open space, safeguarding it from future development and ensuring its las�ng benefit for the Bozeman community. As part of the FLUM amendment, the small node of Community Commercial Mixed Use is proposed to be relocated west along Kagy Boulevard. This new posi�on removes it from the Highland Glen open space area, allowing future uses to beter serve the adjacent Urban Neighborhood designated area. This will allow for a small-scale neighborhood commercial area that would serve nearby residents. The revisions to the FLUM requested by Bozeman Health in this Growth Policy Amendment would preserve cherished natural landscapes, create sustainable and diverse neighborhoods, and strategically posi�on Bozeman for long-term growth, contribu�ng significantly to the community's well-being by fostering resilient and responsible development. Bozeman Health Subarea Plan Growth Policy Amendment Narrative 2 Figure 1. Current Future Land Use Map graphically shows the exis�ng future land use designa�ons from the Bozeman Community Plan. Figure 2. Proposed Future Land Use Map illustrates the proposed revisions to the FLUM as detailed in the Bozeman Health Subarea Plan. 2. Responses to the Growth Policy Amendment Checklist Questions a. Does the proposed amendment cure a deficiency in the growth policy or result in an improved growth policy which better responds to the needs of the general community? How? Yes, the proposed amendment does address a deficiency in the growth policy and results in an improved growth policy that beter responds to the needs of the general community. By adop�ng the Bozeman Health Subarea Plan as an amendment to the Bozeman Community Plan, the growth policy becomes more comprehensive and tailored to the specific considera�ons of Bozeman Health's extensive property along Highland Boulevard. The Subarea Plan ensures that the growth policy is more nuanced and responsive to the specific needs of the community in terms of preserving open spaces, strategically expanding medical facili�es, and fostering diverse, walkable neighborhoods. In addi�on, the amendment also enhances the growth policy by proposing revisions to the Future Land Use Map, designa�ng the en�rety of Highland Glen as Parks and Open Space. This adjustment safeguards the natural landscape from future development, aligning with the community's desire for preserva�on of open spaces and sensi�ve lands thus enhancing the overall quality of life for residents. Furthermore, by integra�ng the Community Commercial Mixed Use node seamlessly within the Kagy Urban Neighborhood Tract, the amendment promotes the crea�on of walkable, mixed use neighborhoods, which are in line with the community's goals for smart and sustainable growth. b. Does the proposed amendment create inconsistencies within the growth policy, either between the goals and the map or between goals and objectives? Why not? If inconsistencies are identified then additional changes must be provided to remove the inconsistencies. No, the proposed amendment to adopt the Bozeman Health Subarea Plan does not create inconsistencies within the growth policy. The Subarea Plan is inten�onally structured with the same first six themes as the Bozeman Community Plan. However, it applies these themes more specifically to the area of the community under considera�on. By aligning with the overarching goals and objec�ves of the Community Plan and tailoring them to the unique characteris�cs and needs of the Bozeman Health property, the proposed amendment ensures coherence and consistency with the growth policy. Therefore, there are no iden�fied inconsistencies that would necessitate Bozeman Health Subarea Plan Growth Policy Amendment Narrative 3 addi�onal changes to remove them. In addi�on, the proposed amendments to update the Future Land Use Map do not create inconsistencies within the Growth Policy’s goals and FLUM. Designa�ng Highland Glen as Parks and Open Space is the most appropriate designa�on for the land considering Highland Glen's value as a community recrea�on asset, its significance as a natural area, and the imprac�cality of substan�al future development due to the Glen's steep slopes. In addi�on, the reloca�on of the Community Commercial Mixed Use node is a minor adjustment that enhances the purpose of the land use designa�on. This slight shi� in loca�on ensures the con�nued provision of a small-scale commercial hub for future residen�al neighborhoods, maintaining coherence with the Growth Policy's objec�ves. c. Is the proposed amendment consistent with the overall intent of the growth policy? How? Yes, the proposed amendment to update the Future Land Use Map does not create inconsistencies with the overall intent of the Growth Policy. The Bozeman Health Subarea Plan is consistent and in alignment with the Bozeman Community Plan, as it is structured on the six primary themes of the Bozeman Community Plan. The proposed amendment to revise the FLUM by designa�ng the Highland area as Parks and Open Space specifically supports four goals of the Bozeman Community Plan: Goal N-4: Continue to encourage Bozeman’s sense of place. Designa�ng Highland Glen as Parks and Open Space supports this goal by formally establishing the highly valued Highland Glen as a recrea�onal focal point and natural landmark for the community (Objec�ve N-4.2). Goal DCD-1: Support urban development within the City. Designa�ng Highland Glen as Parks and Open Space supports this goal by priori�zing the preserva�on of open space that supports community values (Objec�ve DCD-1.12). Goal EPO-1: Prioritize strategic acquisition of parks to provide a variety of recreational opportunities throughout the City. Designa�ng Highland Glen as Parks and Open Space supports this goal by formally expanding the City’s network of recrea�onal spaces, ensuring that residents have access to diverse outdoor ac�vi�es, ameni�es, and natural space. Goal EPO-2: Work to ensure that development is responsive to natural features. Designa�ng Highland Glen as Parks and Open Space supports this goal by recognizing and safeguarding the Glen’s natural features, including its wildlife habitat, and thus ensuring that development is responsive to the area's ecological integrity (objec�ve EPO-2.3). Bozeman Health Subarea Plan Growth Policy Amendment Narrative 4 The proposed amendment to revise the FLUM by maintaining but strategically reloca�ng the Community Commercial Mixed Use node to reside within land intended to be Urban Neighborhood specifically supports four goals of the Bozeman Community Plan: Goal N-2: Pursue simultaneous emergence of commercial nodes and residential development through diverse mechanisms in appropriate locations. Maintaining and reloca�ng the Community Commercial Mixed Use node supports this goal by ensuring that a walkable neighborhood commercial node will emerge in conjunc�on with future residen�al development within the Kagy Urban Neighborhood Tract. Goal DCD-1: Support urban development within the City. Maintaining and reloca�ng the Community Commercial Mixed Use node supports this goal by establishing a small-scale commercial area within the larger future residen�al neighborhood, thus promo�ng mixed use development in close proximity to Highland Glen (objec�ve DCD-1.9) Goal M-1: Ensure multimodal accessibility. Maintaining and reloca�ng the Community Commercial Mixed Use node supports this goal by ensuring that when the Kagy Urban Neighborhood Tract gets developed, the residen�al development will be in walkable proximity to small-scale commercial areas that provide jobs and ameni�es to the local residents (objec�ve M-1.1). Goal EE-1: Promote the continued development of Bozeman as an innovative and thriving economic center. Maintaining and reloca�ng the Community Commercial Mixed Use node supports this goal by loca�ng future small and local businesses within a primarily residen�al neighborhood which will help establish a live/work environment (objec�ve EE-1.3). In addi�on to suppor�ng each of the goals listed above, the proposed amendment to adopt the Bozeman Health Subarea Plan also specifically supports five addi�onal goals of the Bozeman Community Plan: Goal N-1: Support well-planned, walkable neighborhoods. The Subarea Plan supports this goal by promo�ng a wide mix of housing types and densi�es, establishing mul�modal connec�ons between future and exis�ng neighborhoods and developments, guiding the increase of Bozeman’s density gradually through infill development, and encouraging future employee housing adjacent to the Bozeman Health Deaconess Regional Medical Center. Goal N-3: Promote a diverse supply of quality housing units. The Bozeman Health Subarea Plan supports this goal by providing ample opportuni�es for future residen�al areas and housing in the FLUM and Bozeman Health Subarea Plan Growth Policy Amendment Narrative 5 promo�ng a variety of housing op�ons including missing middle housing and workforce housing. 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. The Subarea Plan supports this goal by taking the ini�a�ve to establish a guide for growth for the Bozeman Health property, promo�ng future expansion of medical and commercial services in the Deaconess Regional Medical Center area in appropriate density, and planning for increased residen�al opportuni�es near the Deaconess Regional Medical Center. All these objec�ves will help establish this area as a center of employment and ac�vity in Bozeman. Goal DCD-3: Ensure multimodal connectivity within the City. The Subarea Plan supports this goal by establishing a robust mul�modal network throughout the area consis�ng of shared use paths and transit that will connect residents to adjacent neighborhoods, the City’s exis�ng mul�modal network, local commercial hubs, employment centers, and Highland Glen. Goal M-2: Ensure multimodal safety. The Subarea Plan supports this goal by ensuring that the future mul�modal network will be built to appropriate safety standards and developing mul�ple separated grade crossings at high-volume pedestrian crossing points along Highland Boulevard and Kagy Boulevard. d. Does the proposed amendment adversely affect the community as a whole or significant portion by: i. Significantly altering acceptable existing and future land use patterns, as defined in the text and maps of the plan? How does it not? No, the proposed amendment does not adversely affect the community as a whole or a significant por�on by significantly altering acceptable exis�ng and future land use paterns. While the amendment does introduce future land use changes by designa�ng a large por�on of the property as Parks and Open Space, this adjustment is made to preserve the exis�ng Highland Glen, reflec�ng the area’s current land use. Given its steep terrain, Highland Glen is inherently unsuitable for most forms of development, including its current designa�on as Urban Neighborhood. Therefore, preserving Highland Glen as Parks and Open Space not only aligns with the current land use but also represents the most appropriate future use for the Glen. The reduc�on in other future land uses is minor and strategically aimed at securing open space, aligning with the community's goals for the preserva�on of natural areas. ii. Requiring unmitigated larger and more expensive improvements to streets, water, sewer, or other public facilities or services and which, therefore, may Bozeman Health Subarea Plan Growth Policy Amendment Narrative 6 impact development of other lands? How does it not? No, the proposed amendment does not adversely affect the community as a whole or a significant por�on by requiring unmi�gated larger and more expensive improvements to streets, water, sewer, or other public facili�es or services that may impact development of other lands. The proposed revisions to the Future Land Use Map reduce the overall acreage available for future development by over 30% due to the designa�on of 142 acres of Highland Glen as Parks and Open Space. As a result, the decreased amount of land available for development leads to a reduced need for infrastructure upgrades, thus mi�ga�ng poten�al financial burdens on the community. Addi�onally, Highland Boulevard, the primary road serving the area, is classified as a minor arterial road with exis�ng public u�li�es. Any development that may warrant upgrades to public infrastructure would be the responsibility of the developer. This ensures that the costs associated with improvements and the corresponding impact fees are appropriately borne by those ini�a�ng the development. iii. Adversely impacting existing uses because of unmitigated greater than anticipated impacts on facilities and services? How does it not? No, the proposed amendment does not adversely affect the community as a whole or a significant por�on by adversely impac�ng exis�ng uses because of unmi�gated greater than an�cipated impacts on facili�es and services. The Subarea Plan acknowledges that significant future development may necessitate loca�ng new public safety and infrastructure facili�es in the area. Likewise, the Subarea Plan recognizes that considerable residen�al densi�es could result in the Bozeman School District expanding into the area. The expansions of local services are a logical companion to significant commercial and residen�al development. The growth of the Bozeman Health district would include both new private development and public services repea�ng the patern that has defined the evolu�on of the community. iv. Negatively affecting the health and safety of residents? How does it not? No, the proposed amendment does not adversely affect the community as a whole or a significant por�on by nega�vely affec�ng the health and safety of residents. Designa�ng Highland Glen as Parks and Open Space ensures that residents have access to recrea�onal opportuni�es and outdoor ac�vi�es, posi�vely contribu�ng to their well- being. The preserva�on of natural landscapes and the commitment to smart growth development, as outlined in the Subarea Plan, contribute to a healthier living environment for the community. Importantly, the Subarea Plan does not prescribe any specific development, and any future development in the area will be required to adhere to all health and safety regula�ons. This ensures that the development process will include robust measures to safeguard the well-being of residents, including compliance with building codes, environmental regula�ons, and other safety standards. Furthermore, the incorpora�on of a mul�modal ac�ve transporta�on network, as outlined in the Subarea Plan, creates a safer and healthier way for residents to travel through and between neighborhoods. By promo�ng alterna�ve modes of transporta�on Bozeman Health Subarea Plan Growth Policy Amendment Narrative 7 such as walking, cycling, and public transit, the Subarea Plan encourages physical ac�vity and reduces reliance on motor vehicles, contribu�ng to both the safety and health of individuals.