HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-02-25 - Economic Vitality Board - Agendas & Packet MaterialsA. Call to Order - 6:00 PM
B. Disclosures
C. Changes to the Agenda
D. Public Service Announcements
E. Approval of Minutes
F. Consent Items
G. Public Comments on Non-agenda Items Falling within the Purview and Jurisdiction of the Board
THE ECONOMIC VITALITY BOARD OF BOZEMAN, MONTANA
EVB AGENDA
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
General information about the Economic Vitality Board is available in our Laserfiche repository.
If you are interested in commenting in writing on items on the agenda please send an email to
comments@bozeman.net or by visiting the Public Comment Page prior to 12:00pm on the day of the
meeting. At the direction of the City Commission, anonymous public comments are not distributed to
the Board or staff.
Public comments will also be accepted in-person and through Video Conference during the appropriate
agenda items.
As always, the meeting will be streamed through the Commission's video page and available in the
City on cable channel 190.
For more information please contact Brit Fontenot, bfontenot@bozeman.net
This meeting will be held both in-person and also using an online videoconferencing system. You
can join this meeting:
Via Video Conference:
Click the Register link, enter the required information, and click submit.
Click Join Now to enter the meeting.
Via Phone: This is for listening only if you cannot watch the stream, channel 190, or attend in-
person
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Access code: 984 4147 6350
This is the time to comment on any non-agenda matter falling within the scope of the Economic
Vitality Board. There will also be time in conjunction with each agenda item for public comment
relating to that item but you may only speak once per topic. Please note, the Board cannot take
action on any item which does not appear on the agenda. All persons addressing the Board shall
1
H. Special Presentations
I. Action Items
J. FYI/Discussion
J.1 Unified Development Code (UDC) Update Supplemental Engagement Phase 1 Report and
Work Session(Rogers)
K. Adjournment
speak in a civil and courteous manner and members of the audience shall be respectful of others.
Please state your name, and state whether you are a resident of the city or a property owner
within the city in an audible tone of voice for the record and limit your comments to three
minutes.
General public comments to the Board can be found in their Laserfiche repository folder.
No action required.
This board generally meets the first Wednesday of the month from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
City Board meetings are open to all members of the public. If you have a disability and require
assistance, please contact the ADA Coordinator, David Arnado, at 406.582.3232.
2
Memorandum
REPORT TO:Economic Vitality Board
FROM:Tom Rogers, Senior Planner
Chris Saunders, Community Development Manager
Erin George, Director of Community Development
SUBJECT:Unified Development Code (UDC) Update Supplemental Engagement Phase
1 Report and Work Session
MEETING DATE:April 2, 2025
AGENDA ITEM TYPE:Plan/Report/Study
RECOMMENDATION:No action required.
STRATEGIC PLAN:1.2 Community Engagement: Broaden and deepen engagement of the
community in city government, innovating methods for inviting input from
the community and stakeholders.
BACKGROUND:General Background
The Unified Development Code (UDC) sets regulations around what kinds of
development can occur in which areas. For the 2022-2023 Commission 2-
year priority cycle, Bozeman City Commission named the UDC update as a
key priority of the city. Thus began the UDC Update process, a project that
kicked off in summer 2022 with the goals of:
Implementing the vision and goals of other guiding City documents,
such as the 2020 Community Plan, Climate Plan, and the Community
Housing Action Plan.
Making the Code more user-friendly.
Updating the Code per changes in state law.
A variety of in-person and virtual engagement opportunities were held
throughout 2022 and 2023. In the summer of 2023, following feedback from
the public, advisory boards, and Commission, a draft revised development
code was released.
The UDC update was brought to the Economic Vitality Board twice prior to
creation of the draft code now in review. First on September 6, 2023, to
provide the board a general overview of Senate Bill 382 [Agenda Web Link]
and then again on October 4, 2023, to hear feedback on specific code
sections relevant to the EV Board in general [Agenda Web Link]. The linked
information provides additional detail and supplementary documentation
3
germane to the creation of the draft regulations. In the summer of 2023,
following feedback from the public, advisory boards, and Commission, a
draft revised development code was released.
Many residents expressed concerns about the draft, with some wanting
more time to review and give feedback. In October 2023, Commission
paused the process with the desire to pick back up in 2024. In September
2024, Commission began the restart of the project with a work session on
how the project will resume, including what engagement might look like. On
October 1, Commission approved the supplemental engagement plan.
Since then, staff have executed the supplementary engagement plan
through the following methods:
Launched an online survey that ran from Nov. 22 through Jan. 8 and
garnered 229 responses.
Hosted an online webinar on 12/9 that had 76 attendees.
Hosted five in-person open houses, one in each quadrant (NW, SW, SE,
NE) of the city and one at MSU, which had at least 238 attendees total
across all events (some attendees were not captured at sign-in).
Hosted 8 meetings with groups including Local Food Systems partners,
Better Bozeman Coalition, University Neighborhood Association, Jandt
Neighborhood Association, Midtown Neighborhood Association,
Cooper Park Neighborhood Association, Northeast Neighborhood
Association, and Forward Montana.
Used a variety of methods to communicate engagement opportunities
including emails to key partners; Engage Bozeman newsletters and
web updates; Bozeman.net banner, e-notifications and calendar
updates; a message in the utility bill; a paid mailer to all who reside in
the city; a press release to media outlets; a paid Facebook/Instagram
social media ad; social media posts on Facebook, Instagram,
Twitter, Nextdoor; and a paid ad in the Bozeman Daily Chronicle.
Phase Two of the Supplementary Engagement Plan Summary:
Engagement continued with four in-person workshops held in various parts
of the city, two online workshops, a toolkit for residents to host their own
chat about the UDC, and an online survey. The purpose of the engagement
process is to deep dive into the key topics that were identified during part 1
of engagement. The dates, times, and topics each workshop will cover are as
follows.
1. Transportation & Environment: Feb. 24: 12 to 2 p.m. online.
2. Transportation & Environment: Feb. 26: 6 to 8 p.m. at Gallatin County
Fairgrounds.
3. Growth, Housing, & Neighborhoods: March 3: 12 to 2 p.m. online.
4. Housing & Neighborhoods: March 5: 6 to 8 p.m. at Chief Joseph
Middle School.
4
5. Growth & Neighborhoods: March 10: 6 to 8 p.m. at Sacajawea Middle
School.
6. All topics (Transportation, Environment, Growth, Housing,
Neighborhoods): March 12: 6 to 8 p.m. at Willson School.
Next steps involve discussions with the City’s advisory boards and City
Commission to determine the scope of potential revisions to the draft UDC.
Advisory board meeting dates are as follows.
1. Historic Preservation Advisory Board: March 19 at 6:00 p.m. in the City
Hall Commission Room
2. Transportation Board: March 26 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Hall
Commission Room
3. Urban Parks and Forestry Board: March 27 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Hall
Commission Room
4. Economic Vitality Board: April 2 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Hall
Commission Room
5. Sustainability Board: April 9 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Hall Commission
Room
Following necessary time to write those revisions, city staff will release an
updated draft for public review and comment. This will be followed by the
formal hearing process, likely in the fall, for ultimate decision by the City
Commission.
The full text of the draft Chapter 38 [External PDF] is as available online in
the Engage Bozeman Project web site. The existing draft does not contain
the recently adopted update to 38.380 Affordable Housing. Those provisions
are already in effect and will be integrated with the next update to the draft
UDC.
During the UDC update process, the Montana Legislature passed new
enabling legislation that modifies development review processes and
requires the City to demonstrate that its regulations support additional
housing creation. These requirements as well as local priorities have shaped
the draft text and the public outreach process.
The City Commission will receive an update on the completed Phase 2
Supplementary public engagement process on May 20th. A work session
discussion of possible changes to the draft and direction from the
Commission is scheduled for June 24th.
Economic Vitality Advisory Board Specific Background
Areas of relevance to the Economic Vitality Board can be found in several
places in the draft including:
5
Support for density - This issue appears in many locations and with
many actions. Key elements include 38.210.020 consolidation of
residential zoning districts, 38.210.020 amendment of standards to
remove minimum lot area requirements, 38.210.020 increased
minimum density requirements for residential districts, and Table
38.530.040-4 reduces non-residential parking requirements.
Relaxed residential use and support for density in commercial zoning
districts - This issue appears in many locations and with many actions.
Key elements include 38.220.020-050 amendments of standards to
increase building footprint and/or height, and 38.300.020 relaxed
residential uses in commercial districts.
Relaxed residential use and support for density in industrial zoning
districts - This issue appears in many locations and with many actions.
Key elements include 38.230.020 vertical massing, lot size, and
setbacks, and 38.300.020 more permissible residential uses.
Local service commercial - Density support also facilitates viable local
services within walkable distance, and 38.540.040.B allows an amount
of commercial in mixed use districts to have no parking requirement.
Parking -Table 38.530.040-4 reduces non-residential parking
requirements, 38.540.040.A sets parking requirements in areas with
common funding and management capability to zero and simplifies all
parking provisions. Non-residential parking – simplified, mixed uses
given more flexibility – Section 38.530.040 and added areas that do
not require minimum parking, removal of parking alternatives –
Section 38.530.040.
Administrative decision maker assigned to all site development
including preliminary plats (required by the Act). - Section 38.700.010.
Noticing of individual site development projects - revisions to draft will
be required to address upcoming changes in state law; noticing for
text and map amendments increases. - Division 38.730.
Review of individual site development or subdivision no longer
includes advisory body input (required by state law). Divisions 38.740
and 38.750.
Purpose of meeting
The City Commission requested advisory boards to understand the project
and have an opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback as part of
Phase 2 of public engagement. Accordingly, staff will provide a UDC project
update and will include a summary of public feedback gathered during Phase
I of supplementary engagement, a refresher on the scope of topics the
project is addressing, and an opportunity for Board Members to ask
questions and provide feedback on areas of interest.
A related Affordable Housing Ordinance was recently adopted and became
effective on March 14, 2025, see Ordinance 25-001.
6
Creating code requires balancing of many priorities. Code development is an
ongoing process as new issues are identified, new Issue Plans are adopted,
and community needs change. Code work occurring separate from this UDC
replacement include:
Revisions to water conservation standards,
Revisions to wetland protection standards, and
Updating of standards relating to parks and active transportation
based on the Parks Recreation and Active Transportation Plan.
The update to the Integrated Water Resource Plan.
UNRESOLVED ISSUES:None.
ALTERNATIVES:None
FISCAL EFFECTS:None
Attachments:
UDC_Survey_Results.pdf
UDC_Open_House_Report.pdf
Report compiled on: March 25, 2025
7
UDC Survey on Areas of Interest
1 / 23
Q1 330 individuals and counting have shared public comment on the
proposed code out of 59,050 Bozeman residents. Areas of interest and
concern are listed below. Please rank these topics in order of importance
to you.Note: The City currently has separate projects underway to address
some of these areas of interest – Landmark Program (historic
preservation), Affordable Housing Ordinance, integrated water resource
plan.
Answered: 221 Skipped: 8
8
UDC Survey on Areas of Interest
2 / 23
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
Residential
zoning
districts
Neighborhood
character
Density
Population
growth
Historic
preservation
Bike
infrastructure
Pedestrian
infrastructure
Parking number
and
configuration
Water adequacy
Minimizing
agricultural
impacts
Sensitive
lands (e.g.
streams &...
Business
development
(jobs)
Affordable
housing
creation
Affordable
housing
preservation
Building
height
Expansion of
City boundary
9
UDC Survey on Areas of Interest
3 / 23
7.24%
16
5.43%
12
9.05%
20
4.52%
10
6.33%
14
9.95%
22
4.52%
10
6.79%
15
6.79%
15
9.50%
21
3.62%
8
5.88%
1
9.50%
21
7.24%
16
5.88%
13
4.98%
11
4.52%
10
9.05%
20
9.05%
20
6.33%
14
3.17%
7
6.33%
14
7.69%
17
5.88%
1
5.88%
13
7.69%
17
6.79%
15
5.88%
13
6.79%
15
7.69%
17
5.43%
12
6.79%
15
4.52%
10
5.88%
13
7.69%
17
6.79%
1
6.33%
14
4.52%
10
5.88%
13
4.07%
9
3.17%
7
6.79%
15
2.26%
5
6.79%
15
6.79%
15
6.79%
15
7.24%
16
8.14%
1
4.07%
9
3.17%
7
4.52%
10
6.33%
14
6.33%
14
4.07%
9
9.50%
21
5.43%
12
6.33%
14
9.05%
20
10.41%
23
5.43%
1
5.43%
12
2.71%
6
4.07%
9
10.41%
23
6.79%
15
5.88%
13
5.43%
12
8.60%
19
4.98%
11
4.98%
11
9.05%
20
4.07%
1.81%
4
4.98%
11
6.33%
14
9.50%
21
10.86%
24
8.60%
19
7.24%
16
9.05%
20
7.69%
17
7.69%
17
4.52%
10
7.24%
1
2.71%
6
3.17%
7
4.52%
10
1.36%
3
3.17%
7
4.07%
9
6.33%
14
7.24%
16
8.60%
19
7.24%
16
7.69%
17
6.79%
1
17.19%
38
15.84%
35
9.95%
22
9.50%
21
8.14%
18
9.50%
21
4.98%
11
5.88%
13
3.17%
7
2.26%
5
4.07%
9
3.62%
3.17%
7
5.43%
12
3.62%
8
4.98%
11
4.07%
9
5.43%
12
4.52%
10
4.98%
11
11.31%
25
6.79%
15
6.33%
14
9.50%
2
14.03%
31
12.67%
28
5.88%
13
8.14%
18
9.50%
21
4.98%
11
8.14%
18
6.79%
15
4.98%
11
4.07%
9
4.52%
10
4.98%
1
2.26%
5
1.81%
4
1.36%
3
2.71%
6
1.81%
4
2.71%
6
4.98%
11
5.43%
12
7.69%
17
4.98%
11
5.88%
13
8.60%
1
9.05%
20
8.60%
19
9.50%
21
6.33%
14
8.60%
19
4.52%
10
6.33%
14
4.52%
10
7.24%
16
2.71%
6
5.88%
13
5.43%
1
6.79%
15
9.05%
20
9.05%
20
9.95%
22
7.69%
17
7.24%
16
6.33%
14
9.05%
20
7.24%
16
5.88%
13
1.81%
4
4.98%
1
4.07%
9
5.88%
13
5.88%
13
6.33%
14
7.24%
16
4.52%
10
9.50%
21
2.71%
6
6.33%
14
9.95%
22
4.98%
11
4.98%
1
0.45%
1
1.81%
4
7.69%
17
4.98%
11
4.98%
11
4.98%
11
5.43%
12
3.62%
8
3.17%
7
5.88%
13
8.60%
19
7.69%
1
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Residential
zoning
districts
Neighborhood
character
Density
Population
growth
Historic
preservation
Bike
infrastructure
Pedestrian
infrastructure
Parking
number and
configuration
Water
adequacy
Minimizing
agricultural
impacts
Sensitive
lands (e.g.
streams &
wetlands
areas, steep
slopes)
Business
development
(jobs)
Affordable
housing
creation
Affordable
housing
preservation
Building
height
Expansion of
City
boundary
10
UDC Survey on Areas of Interest
4 / 23
Q2 If you think important topic(s) are missing above, please list here:
Answered: 104 Skipped: 125
11
UDC Survey on Areas of Interest
5 / 23
Q3 Please pick 3 areas that you think are less important for the City to
focus on / are not important to you.
Answered: 229 Skipped: 0
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%
Residential
zoning
districts
Neighborhood
character
Density
Population
growth
Historic
preservation
Bike
infrastructure
Pedestrian
infrastructure
Parking number
and
configuration
Water adequacy
Minimizing
agricultural
impacts
Sensitive
lands (e.g.
streams &...
Business
development
(jobs)
Affordable
housing
creation
Affordable
housing
preservation
Building
height
Expansion of
City boundary
12
UDC Survey on Areas of Interest
6 / 23
10.04%23
14.41%33
14.85%34
16.16%37
12.66%29
20.09%46
9.17%21
21.83%50
3.49%8
20.09%46
5.68%13
48.47%111
12.66%29
6.99%16
23.14%53
44.98%103
Total Respondents: 229
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Residential zoning districts
Neighborhood character
Density
Population growth
Historic preservation
Bike infrastructure
Pedestrian infrastructure
Parking number and configuration
Water adequacy
Minimizing agricultural impacts
Sensitive lands (e.g. streams & wetlands areas, steep slopes)
Business development (jobs)
Affordable housing creation
Affordable housing preservation
Building height
Expansion of City boundary
13
UDC Survey on Areas of Interest
7 / 23
20.95%44
50.95%107
18.10%38
10.00%21
Q4 How familiar are you with the UDC?
Answered: 210 Skipped: 19
TOTAL 210
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%
Very familiar
Somewhat
familiar
Not very
familiar
Not at all
familiar
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Very familiar
Somewhat familiar
Not very familiar
Not at all familiar
14
UDC Survey on Areas of Interest
8 / 23
69.19%146
30.81%65
Q5 Did you know the code update started in the fall of 2022?
Answered: 211 Skipped: 18
TOTAL 211
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%
Yes
No
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Yes
No
15
UDC Survey on Areas of Interest
9 / 23
56.94%119
43.06%90
Q6 Have you signed up on Engage Bozeman to follow the UDC project?
Answered: 209 Skipped: 20
TOTAL 209
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%
Yes
No
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Yes
No
16
UDC Survey on Areas of Interest
10 / 23
49.52%103
50.48%105
Q7 Have you attended an event or submitted a comment on the UDC
update?
Answered: 208 Skipped: 21
TOTAL 208
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%
Yes
No
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Yes
No
17
UDC Survey on Areas of Interest
11 / 23
40.19%84
59.81%125
Q8 Have you participated in other City planning documents, e.g. Parks,
Recreation and Active Transportation Plan (PRAT), growth policy?
Answered: 209 Skipped: 20
TOTAL 209
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%
Yes
No
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Yes
No
18
UDC Survey on Areas of Interest
12 / 23
43.81%92
56.19%118
Q9 Have you attended a Commission meeting in the past year?
Answered: 210 Skipped: 19
TOTAL 210
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%
Yes
No
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Yes
No
19
UDC Survey on Areas of Interest
13 / 23
62.86%132
37.14%78
Q10 The City works inside the legal framework established by the state.
Are you aware that in 2023 the state holistically changed the legal
structure for land use planning and development? (Montana Land Use
Planning Act AKA SB382)
Answered: 210 Skipped: 19
TOTAL 210
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%
Yes
No
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Yes
No
20
UDC Survey on Areas of Interest
14 / 23
85.10%177
14.90%31
Q11 Would you care to hear more about the zoning process or specific
components?
Answered: 208 Skipped: 21
TOTAL 208
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%
Yes
No
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Yes
No
21
UDC Survey on Areas of Interest
15 / 23
Q12 There are different groups in the community that help share news and
updates about City projects. In learning about the UDC update project,
which of these sources were your top 3 sources of information?
Answered: 213 Skipped: 16
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%
Formal
neighborhood
organizations
Inter
Neighborhood
Council...
Friend/neighbor
Colleague
Realtors
Architects and
Builders
Planning
Department
Advisory
boards
appointed by...
City
Commission
meetings
Ad hoc citizen
groups
Individual
property owners
and renters
Engage Bozeman
Newspaper/other
news outlet
Social Media
Other (please
specify)
22
UDC Survey on Areas of Interest
16 / 23
23.47%50
6.10%13
27.23%58
14.55%31
3.29%7
10.33%22
8.45%18
6.57%14
20.66%44
15.02%32
8.45%18
33.80%72
37.56%80
27.23%58
14.55%31
Total Respondents: 213
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Formal neighborhood organizations
Inter Neighborhood Council meetings
Friend/neighbor
Colleague
Realtors
Architects and Builders
Planning Department
Advisory boards appointed by the City Commission
City Commission meetings
Ad hoc citizen groups
Individual property owners and renters
Engage Bozeman
Newspaper/other news outlet
Social Media
Other (please specify)
23
UDC Survey on Areas of Interest
17 / 23
29.47%61
66.18%137
0.00%0
0.00%0
4.35%9
Q13 Which best describes your housing situation at this time?
Answered: 207 Skipped: 22
TOTAL 207
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%
I rent a home
I own a home
I own a
manufactured
home
I am unhoused
Prefer not to
answer
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
I rent a home
I own a home
I own a manufactured home
I am unhoused
Prefer not to answer
24
UDC Survey on Areas of Interest
18 / 23
22.97%48
26.79%56
8.61%18
31.10%65
3.83%8
6.70%14
Q14 Please select the quadrant where you live. This information will not be
used to identify your place of residence but will help us understand
similarities and differences experienced based on where people live.
Answered: 209 Skipped: 20
TOTAL 209
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%
NW
NE
SW
SE
Prefer not to
answer
Outside of
Bozeman City
Limits (plea...
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
NW
NE
SW
SE
Prefer not to answer
Outside of Bozeman City Limits (please specify where)
25
UDC Survey on Areas of Interest
19 / 23
0.00%0
5.74%12
22.49%47
17.22%36
13.88%29
14.83%31
17.22%36
5.74%12
2.87%6
Q15 What is your age?
Answered: 209 Skipped: 20
TOTAL 209
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%
Under 18
19-24
25-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
65-74
75+
Prefer not to
answer
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Under 18
19-24
25-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
65-74
75+
Prefer not to answer
26
UDC Survey on Areas of Interest
20 / 23
3.35%7
20.10%42
11.00%23
61.72%129
1.91%4
1.91%4
Q16 How long have you lived in Bozeman?
Answered: 209 Skipped: 20
TOTAL 209
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%
Less than one
year
1-5 years
6-10 years
More than 10
years
Not a resident
Prefer not to
answer
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Less than one year
1-5 years
6-10 years
More than 10 years
Not a resident
Prefer not to answer
27
UDC Survey on Areas of Interest
21 / 23
40.19%84
59.81%125
Q17 Have you ever applied for a building permit or planning application
with the City of Bozeman?
Answered: 209 Skipped: 20
TOTAL 209
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%
Yes
No
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Yes
No
28
UDC Survey on Areas of Interest
22 / 23
Q18 If you think zoning is important, why?
Answered: 150 Skipped: 79
29
UDC Survey on Areas of Interest
23 / 23
74.76%154
25.24%52
Q19 Do you know what zoning district you live in?
Answered: 206 Skipped: 23
TOTAL 206
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%
Yes
No
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Yes
No
30
Unified Development Code (UDC) Update
Supplemental Engagement Phase I
Open House Summary Report
January 29, 2025 | DRAFT
31
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
GLOBAL SUMMARY ................................................................................................................... 3
WORD CLOUD ........................................................................................................................... 8
BY EVENT TOTALS ..................................................................................................................... 9
December 2, 2024, MSU Summary ..................................................................................... 9
December 4, 2024, Gallatin High School Summary .......................................................... 10
December 5, 2024, Hope Lutheran Church Summary ...................................................... 12
December 9, 2024, Online Summary ................................................................................ 13
December 11, 2024, Fairgrounds Summary ..................................................................... 15
December 12, 2024, Sacajawea Middle School Summary ............................................... 17
32
3
Global Summary
Priority Comment Count
P1 P2 P3 Total
December 2 Open House - MSU 54 30 16 100 17.3%
December 4 Open House - Gallatin High 28 13 24 65 11.2%
December 5 Open House - Hope Lutheran 34 16 35 85 14.7%
December 9 Open House - Online 40 38 38 116 20.1%
December 11 Open House - Fairgrounds 73 41 26 140 24.2%
December 12 Open House - Sacajawea 41 21 10 72 12.5%
270 159 149 578
Community Priority Summary – Tally by topic
Open House Summary Chart P1 P2 P3 All
Neighborhood (character, preservation,
compatibility) 73 18 16 107 19.6%
Housing (Affordable, supply, variety, choice) 45 22 17 84 15.4%
Density (zoning, growth, urban) 44 20 14 78 14.3%
Building (bulk, mass, height, design) 35 23 14 72 13.2%
Transportation (Traffic, parking, walk, bike) 23 20 26 69 12.6%
Utilities (water, adequacy, supply) 19 18 14 51 9.3%
Environment (protection, open space, natural
areas, parks, wetlands, trees, forest) 16 13 12 41 7.5%
Transitions (buildings & districts) 12 8 3 23 4.2%
Solar 6 2 6 14 2.6%
Community involvement (process, engagement) 4 1 2 7 1.3%
277 145 124 546
33
4
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
Neighborhood (character, preservation,
compatibility)
Housing (Affordable, supply, variety, choice)
Density (zoning, growth, urban)
Building (bulk, mass, height, design)
Transportation (Traffic, parking, walk, bike)
Utilities (water, adequacy, supply)
Environment (protection, open space, natural
areas, parks, wetlands, trees, forest)
Transitions (buildings & districts)
Solar
Community involvement (process, engagement)
Community Priorities -December 2024 Open House Summary
34
5
December 2, 2024, MSU Data Set:
1. Affordable Housing:
o Emphasis on preserving naturally occurring affordable housing (NOAH) and
preventing luxury condos.
2. Building Height and Compatibility:
o Calls for limiting building heights and ensuring compatibility with existing
neighborhood character.
3. Parking and Transportation:
o Focus on managing traffic and parking issues, with suggestions for improved
public transportation.
4. Environmental and Natural Resource Preservation:
o Emphasis on protecting trees, urban forests, and water resources.
5. Neighborhood Character and Integrity:
o Desire to preserve historical and architectural integrity of neighborhoods.
6. Zoning and Land Use:
o Careful consideration of zoning changes and zone-edge transitions.
7. Transparency and Community Involvement:
o Calls for open planning processes and community engagement.
8. Safety and Infrastructure:
o Concerns about infrastructure capacity to handle increased development.
December 4, 2024, Gallatin High School Data Set:
1. Housing and Rent Affordability:
o Emphasis on preserving naturally occurring affordable housing and addressing
housing and rent affordability.
2. Building Height and Compatibility:
o Strong focus on limiting building heights on Main Street and surrounding
neighborhoods.
3. Parking and Transportation:
o Advocacy for adequate off-street parking and improved public transportation.
4. Environmental and Natural Resource Preservation:
o Strong emphasis on water adequacy and conservation.
5. Neighborhood Character and Integrity:
o Desire to preserve the historical and architectural integrity of neighborhoods.
6. Zoning and Land Use:
o Emphasis on downzoning historic neighborhoods to prevent large-scale
developments.
7. Transparency and Community Involvement:
o Calls for reengaging public advisory boards and involving the public earlier.
8. Safety and Infrastructure:
o Concerns about infrastructure capacity, including utilities, water supply, and
traffic planning.
35
6
December 5, 2024, Hope Lutheran Church Data Set:
1. Housing and Rent Affordability:
o Continued emphasis on preserving NOAH and increasing options for regular
folks.
2. Building Height and Compatibility:
o Strong focus on limiting building heights, particularly in historic neighborhoods.
3. Parking and Transportation:
o Advocacy for adequate off-street parking for new units.
4. Environmental and Natural Resource Preservation:
o Strong emphasis on water adequacy and conservation.
5. Neighborhood Character and Integrity:
o Desire to preserve the historical and architectural integrity of neighborhoods.
6. Zoning and Land Use:
o Calls for creating transition zones to protect existing neighborhoods.
7. Transparency and Community Involvement:
o Reengaging public advisory boards and community involvement in decision-
making.
8. Safety and Infrastructure:
o Concerns about infrastructure capacity to handle increased development.
December 9, 2024, Online Data Set:
1. Housing and Rent Affordability:
o Emphasis on intentional housing development prioritizing affordability.
2. Building Height and Compatibility:
o Continued focus on limiting building heights and ensuring compatibility.
3. Parking and Transportation:
o Advocacy for adequate off-street parking and improved public transportation
planning.
4. Environmental and Natural Resource Preservation:
o Continued emphasis on protecting trees, urban forests, and water resources.
5. Neighborhood Character and Integrity:
o Desire to preserve the character of existing neighborhoods.
6. Zoning and Land Use:
o Careful consideration of zoning changes and integration of mixed-use
developments.
7. Transparency and Community Involvement:
o Calls for open planning processes and community engagement.
8. Safety and Infrastructure:
o Concerns about infrastructure capacity and designing streets for safety.
36
7
December 11, 2024, Fairgrounds Data Set:
1. Housing and Rent Affordability:
o Strong emphasis on maintaining affordable housing and preventing short-term
rentals.
2. Building Height and Compatibility:
o Strong focus on limiting building heights and preserving sunlight and views.
3. Parking and Transportation:
o Advocacy for adequate parking and improved public transportation.
4. Environmental and Natural Resource Preservation:
o Strong emphasis on water adequacy and conservation.
5. Neighborhood Character and Integrity:
o Desire to preserve the historical integrity of neighborhoods.
6. Zoning and Land Use:
o Calls for downzoning historic neighborhoods and creating transition zones.
7. Transparency and Community Involvement:
o Calls for more open and transparent planning processes with community
involvement.
8. Safety and Infrastructure:
o Concerns about infrastructure capacity and safety provisions.
December 12, 2024, Sacajawea Middle School Data Set:
1. Housing and Rent Affordability:
o Continued emphasis on increasing affordable housing and avoiding luxury
developments.
2. Building Height and Compatibility:
o Strong focus on limiting building heights and maintaining neighborhood
character.
3. Parking and Transportation:
o Advocacy for adequate parking and better public transportation.
4. Environmental and Natural Resource Preservation:
o Strong focus on water conservation and protecting urban forests.
5. Neighborhood Character and Integrity:
o Desire to preserve historical neighborhoods and create transition zones.
6. Zoning and Land Use:
o Calls for careful zoning changes and better definitions.
7. Transparency and Community Involvement:
o Continued calls for open planning processes and early community involvement.
8. Safety and Infrastructure:
o Concerns about infrastructure capacity and ensuring safety provisions.
37
8
Word Cloud
38
9
By Event Totals
December 2, 2024, MSU Summary
Common Concerns and Priorities:
1. Preservation of Neighborhood Character:
o Many participants emphasize the importance of maintaining the historical
character and integrity of neighborhoods.
o Concerns about new buildings dwarfing existing single-family homes are
frequent.
o There's a strong sentiment towards protecting the architectural style and
historical significance of existing structures.
2. Building Height and Density:
o Repeated mentions of the need to limit the height of new structures.
o Many want to prevent high-density developments that are out of scale with the
current neighborhood.
o The idea of balancing density with neighborhood character is a common thread.
3. Environmental and Natural Resource Protection:
o Significant focus on preserving trees, urban forests, wetlands, and water
resources.
o The importance of sustainable development practices, such as xeriscaping and
water conservation, is frequently mentioned.
4. Traffic and Parking Concerns:
o Numerous mentions of the need to manage traffic and parking, especially in
relation to large apartment buildings.
o Concerns about congestion and safety due to inadequate parking infrastructure
in older neighborhoods.
5. Affordable Housing and Livability:
o Many participants are advocating for truly affordable housing, not luxury units.
o There is a desire to preserve affordable housing options and to prevent the
displacement of current residents.
o Discussion around ensuring that new developments enhance, rather than
detract from, the livability of neighborhoods.
6. Transparency and Community Involvement:
o Calls for more open and transparent processes in urban planning.
o Suggestions for holding town hall meetings and studies to better understand the
community's needs and priorities.
7. Infrastructure and Services:
o Concerns about the adequacy of existing infrastructure to support new
developments.
o Emphasis on planning for future needs, such as light rail and improved transit
options.
39
10
Community Priority Summary – Tally by topic
December 2 Open House - MSU P1 P2 P3 All
Neighborhood (character, preservation,
compatibility) 16 7 3 26 23.6%
Building (bulk, mass, height, design) 8 4 0 12 10.9%
Housing (Affordable, supply, variety, choice) 8 5 3 16 14.5%
Environment (protection, open space, natural
areas, parks, wetlands, trees, forest) 6 2 2 10 9.1%
Density (zoning, growth, urban) 7 4 0 11 10.0%
Utilities (water, adequacy, supply) 10 4 3 17 15.5%
Transportation (Traffic, parking, walk, bike) 4 2 3 9 8.2%
Community involvement (process, engagement) 1 0 0 1 0.9%
Solar 3 1 1 5 4.5%
Transitions (buildings & districts) 3 0 0 3 2.7%
66 29 15 110
December 4, 2024, Gallatin High School Summary
Recurrent Themes and Concerns:
1. Housing and Rent Affordability:
o Strong focus on preserving naturally occurring affordable housing.
o Concerns about ensuring new developments include truly affordable units rather
than luxury options.
2. Building Height and Compatibility:
o Calls for limiting the height of new buildings, particularly on Main Street and
surrounding neighborhoods.
o Desire for new constructions to be consistent with the existing neighborhood's
character and aesthetics.
3. Parking and Transportation:
o Frequent mentions of the need for adequate off-street parking for new units.
o Concerns about the impact of increased density on parking availability and traffic
congestion.
o Emphasis on improving public transportation options to complement increased
density.
4. Environmental and Natural Resource Preservation:
o Focus on protecting trees, urban canopy, and ensuring sustainable water usage.
40
11
o Calls for measures to address climate change and environmental sustainability.
5. Neighborhood Character and Integrity:
o Desire to protect the historical integrity and character of neighborhoods.
o Concerns about luxury developments altering the existing neighborhood
dynamics.
6. Zoning and Land Use:
o Calls for careful consideration of zoning changes to maintain neighborhood
character.
o Emphasis on zone-edge transitions and setbacks to ensure compatibility
between different zoning areas.
7. Transparency and Community Involvement:
o Need for more open and transparent planning processes.
o Desire for community involvement in decision-making to ensure developments
align with residents' needs.
8. Safety and Infrastructure:
o Concerns about infrastructure capacity to handle increased population and
development.
o Importance of designing streets and roads to enhance safety for pedestrians and
cyclists.
Community Priority Summary – Tally by topic
December 4 Open House - Gallatin High P1 P2 P3 All
Neighborhood (character, preservation,
compatibility) 7 2 2 11 18.6%
Building (bulk, mass, height, design) 1 4 3 8 13.6%
Housing (Affordable, supply, variety, choice) 5 4 4 13 22.0%
Environment (protection, open space, natural
areas, parks, wetlands, trees, forest) 2 1 1 4 6.8%
Density (zoning, growth, urban) 2 2 2 6 10.2%
Utilities (water, adequacy, supply) 0 2 1 3 5.1%
Transportation (Traffic, parking, walk, bike) 3 3 4 10 16.9%
Community involvement (process, engagement) 0 0 0 0 0.0%
Solar 1 0 1 2 3.4%
Transitions (buildings & districts) 1 1 2 3.4%
22 19 18 59
41
12
December 5, 2024, Hope Lutheran Church Summary
Recurring Themes and Concerns:
1. Housing and Rent Affordability:
o Strong focus on preserving naturally occurring affordable housing (NOAH).
o Concerns about luxury condos and the need for truly affordable housing options.
o Impact of zoning changes on housing affordability.
2. Building Height and Compatibility:
o Emphasis on limiting the height of new buildings, particularly in historic
neighborhoods.
o Need for new constructions to be consistent with the existing neighborhood's
character and aesthetics.
o Concerns about zoning changes that could drastically alter neighborhood
character.
3. Parking and Transportation:
o Advocacy for adequate off-street parking for new units.
o Prioritizing bike lanes, sidewalks, and non-auto corridors to reduce car
dependency.
o Impact of increased density on parking and traffic congestion.
4. Environmental and Natural Resource Preservation:
o Continued emphasis on protecting trees, urban forests, and water resources.
o Measures to address climate change and promote environmental sustainability.
o Preservation of solar access and other natural resources.
5. Neighborhood Character and Integrity:
o Desire to preserve the historical and architectural integrity of neighborhoods.
o Concerns about luxury developments impacting existing neighborhood
dynamics.
o Calls to downzone historic neighborhoods to prevent large-scale developments.
6. Zoning and Land Use:
o Careful consideration of zoning changes to maintain neighborhood character.
o Emphasis on zone-edge transitions and smoother integration of mixed-use
developments.
o Recognition and conservation of agricultural land.
7. Transparency and Community Involvement:
o Calls for more open and transparent planning processes with community
involvement.
o Reengaging public advisory boards and increasing community engagement in
decision-making.
8. Safety and Infrastructure:
o Concerns about infrastructure capacity to handle increased development.
o Designing streets and roads to enhance safety for pedestrians and cyclists.
o Addressing utility and sewer infrastructure needs.
42
13
Community Priority Summary – Tally by topic
December 5 Open House - Hope Lutheran P1 P2 P3 All
Neighborhood (character, preservation,
compatibility) 8 1 5 14 17.3%
Building (bulk, mass, height, design) 2 4 6 12 14.8%
Housing (Affordable, supply, variety, choice) 3 1 5 9 11.1%
Environment (protection, open space, natural
areas, parks, wetlands, trees, forest) 1 1 3 5 6.2%
Density (zoning, growth, urban) 4 2 4 10 12.3%
Utilities (water, adequacy, supply) 2 1 2 5 6.2%
Transportation (Traffic, parking, walk, bike) 6 4 4 14 17.3%
Community involvement (process, engagement) 1 1 2 4 4.9%
Solar 1 0 3 4 4.9%
Transitions (buildings & districts) 1 2 1 4 4.9%
29 17 35 81
December 9, 2024, Online Summary
Recurring Themes and Concerns:
1. Housing and Rent Affordability:
o Continued emphasis on increasing the availability of affordable housing.
o Concerns about luxury condos and the need for more affordable units.
o Calls for intentional housing development that prioritizes attainability and
affordability.
2. Building Height and Compatibility:
o Strong focus on limiting the height of new buildings, especially in historic
neighborhoods.
o Ensuring new constructions are compatible with the existing neighborhood's
character and aesthetics.
o Need for clear definitions of compatibility within zoning districts and the NCOD.
3. Parking and Transportation:
o Advocacy for adequate off-street parking for new units.
o Prioritizing walkability, bike lanes, sidewalks, and other non-auto corridors to
reduce car dependency.
o Planning for public transportation and addressing traffic issues proactively.
4. Environmental and Natural Resource Preservation:
o Emphasis on protecting trees, urban forests, water resources, and wildlife
habitats.
43
14
o Measures to address climate change and promote environmental sustainability,
including solar access protections and water conservation.
5. Neighborhood Character and Integrity:
o Desire to preserve the historical and architectural integrity of neighborhoods.
o Concerns about zoning changes that could alter neighborhood character and the
impact of large developments on existing communities.
o Calls to downzone historic neighborhoods to prevent high-density
developments.
6. Zoning and Land Use:
o Careful consideration of zoning changes to maintain neighborhood character and
allow for higher density near transit stations and employment areas.
o Emphasis on zone-edge transitions and smoother integration of mixed-use
developments.
o Calls for better definitions and consistency in zoning requirements.
7. Transparency and Community Involvement:
o Calls for more open and transparent planning processes with community
involvement.
o Reengaging public advisory boards and increasing community engagement in
decision-making.
8. Safety and Infrastructure:
o Concerns about infrastructure capacity to handle increased development,
including utilities, water supply, and traffic planning.
o Designing streets and roads to enhance safety for pedestrians and cyclists.
o Addressing the need for adequate parking and safety provisions in new
developments.
Community Priority Summary – Tally by topic
December 9 Open House - Online P1 P2 P3 All
Neighborhood (character, preservation,
compatibility) 6 2 0 8 9.5%
Building (bulk, mass, height, design) 2 4 1 7 8.3%
Housing (Affordable, supply, variety, choice) 11 3 2 16 19.0%
Environment (protection, open space, natural
areas, parks, wetlands, trees, forest) 1 5 4 10 11.9%
Density (zoning, growth, urban) 7 5 6 18 21.4%
Utilities (water, adequacy, supply) 4 3 3 10 11.9%
Transportation (Traffic, parking, walk, bike) 3 4 6 13 15.5%
Community involvement (process, engagement) 0 0 0 0 0.0%
Solar 0 0 1 1 1.2%
Transitions (buildings & districts) 1 0 0 1 1.2%
35 26 23 84
44
15
December 11, 2024, Fairgrounds Summary
Recurring Themes and Concerns:
1. Housing and Rent Affordability:
o Continued focus on preserving naturally occurring affordable housing (NOAH).
o Concerns about luxury high-rises displacing more affordable options.
o Emphasis on affordable housing for residents, not just for profit.
2. Building Height and Compatibility:
o Strong focus on limiting building heights, particularly to prevent obstruction of
views and sunlight.
o Concerns about tall buildings in single-story neighborhoods and the impact on
neighborhood character.
3. Parking and Transportation:
o Advocacy for adequate parking, including specific requirements like one space
per bedroom.
o Emphasis on improving public transportation and creating walkable, transit-
oriented communities.
o Concerns about traffic safety and infrastructure.
4. Environmental and Natural Resource Preservation:
o Strong emphasis on water adequacy and conservation.
o Calls to protect urban forests and prevent clear-cutting by developers.
o Encouragement for sustainable development practices and water-saving
measures.
5. Neighborhood Character and Integrity:
o Desire to preserve the historical and architectural integrity of neighborhoods.
o Concerns about zoning changes that could alter neighborhood character.
o Calls for creating transition zones to protect existing neighborhoods from high-
density developments.
6. Zoning and Land Use:
o Careful consideration of zoning changes to maintain neighborhood character and
allow for higher density in appropriate areas.
o Emphasis on downzoning historic neighborhoods to prevent large-scale
developments.
o Calls for better definitions and consistency in zoning requirements.
7. Transparency and Community Involvement:
o Calls for more open and transparent planning processes with community
involvement.
o Involving the general public earlier in the planning process to align with
community needs and views.
8. Safety and Infrastructure:
o Concerns about infrastructure capacity to handle increased development,
including utilities, water supply, and traffic planning.
45
16
o Designing streets and roads to enhance safety for pedestrians and cyclists.
o Ensuring developments provide adequate parking and safety provisions.
Community Priority Summary – Tally by topic
December 11 Open House - Fairgrounds P1 P2 P3 All
Neighborhood (character, preservation,
compatibility) 24 5 2 31 22.1%
Building (bulk, mass, height, design) 13 5 4 22 15.7%
Housing (Affordable, supply, variety, choice) 11 6 3 20 14.3%
Environment (protection, open space, natural
areas, parks, wetlands, trees, forest) 4 4 2 10 7.1%
Density (zoning, growth, urban) 18 6 1 25 17.9%
Utilities (water, adequacy, supply) 1 4 4 9 6.4%
Transportation (Traffic, parking, walk, bike) 4 5 5 14 10.0%
Community involvement (process, engagement) 0 0 0 0 0.0%
Solar 0 0 0 0 0.0%
Transitions (buildings & districts) 3 4 2 9 6.4%
78 39 23 140
46
17
December 12, 2024, Sacajawea Middle School Summary
Recurring Themes and Concerns:
1. Housing and Rent Affordability:
o Strong emphasis on maintaining and increasing affordable housing, particularly
for people who work in the city.
o Concerns about short-term rentals and the need to prevent them in certain
neighborhoods.
o Calls to stop luxury high-rises that displace more affordable housing options.
2. Building Height and Compatibility:
o Continued focus on limiting building heights, especially in historic
neighborhoods.
o Desire to maintain the character of existing neighborhoods by controlling the
height and scale of new buildings.
o Specific suggestions to limit building heights to certain landmarks (e.g., the
Baxter Hotel).
3. Parking and Transportation:
o Advocacy for adequate off-street parking for new units, with specific
requirements such as one spot per bedroom.
o Emphasis on improving public safety and providing incentives for new police and
fire department staff.
o Calls to connect bike and walking paths to enhance walkability and reduce traffic
congestion.
4. Environmental and Natural Resource Preservation:
o Strong focus on protecting water resources and prioritizing water conservation.
o Emphasis on preserving trees, urban forests, and ensuring green space in new
developments.
o Calls to encourage energy efficiency and sustainability in new construction.
5. Neighborhood Character and Integrity:
o Desire to preserve the historical and architectural integrity of neighborhoods.
o Concerns about zoning changes and high-density developments impacting
existing neighborhood character.
o Calls to create transition zones to protect existing neighborhoods from large,
luxury apartment projects.
6. Zoning and Land Use:
o Careful consideration of zoning changes to maintain neighborhood character and
allow for diverse housing types.
o Emphasis on zone-edge transitions and downzoning central historic
neighborhoods to prevent high-density developments.
o Calls for better definitions and consistency in zoning requirements.
7. Transparency and Community Involvement:
47
18
o Calls for more open and transparent planning processes with community
involvement.
o Involving the general public earlier in the planning process to align with
community needs and views.
8. Safety and Infrastructure:
o Concerns about infrastructure capacity to handle increased development,
including utilities, water supply, and traffic planning.
o Designing streets and roads to enhance safety for pedestrians and cyclists.
o Ensuring developments provide adequate parking and safety provisions.
Community Priority Summary – Tally by topic
December 12 Open House - Sacajawea P1 P2 P3 All
Neighborhood (character, preservation,
compatibility) 12 1 4 17 23.6%
Building (bulk, mass, height, design) 9 2 0 11 15.3%
Housing (Affordable, supply, variety, choice) 7 3 0 10 13.9%
Environment (protection, open space, natural
areas, parks, wetlands, trees, forest) 2 0 0 2 2.8%
Density (zoning, growth, urban) 6 1 1 8 11.1%
Utilities (water, adequacy, supply) 2 4 1 7 9.7%
Transportation (Traffic, parking, walk, bike) 3 2 4 9 12.5%
Community involvement (process, engagement) 2 0 0 2 2.8%
Solar 1 1 0 2 2.8%
Transitions (buildings & districts) 3 1 0 4 5.6%
47 15 10 72
48