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SITE PLAN REVIEW
Bozeman Health Campus Plan Phase 1
Location: S17, T02 S, R06 E, C.O.S. 2047, PARCEL 2, ACRES 34.428,
PLUS VACATED STREET AND LESS PLAT J-483 AND S18, T02 S, R06 E,
C.O.S. 2047, PARCEL 1 REM, ACRES 38.825, PLAT J-483
Submitted: March 11th, 2025
Project Narrative
Introduction
This is a site plan application for Phase 1 of the Bozeman Health Master Site Plan (23-
357). The primary purpose of the proposed improvements is to address the legacy
non-conforming conditions associated with the existing maintenance yard and the
temporary parking Lot I. In conjunction with eliminating the non-conforming
conditions, additional surface parking improvements are being proposed.
Existing Land Use
Parcel 1 of the project site is approximately 38-acres and includes the Hillcrest Senior
Living facilities, a large Bozeman Health surface parking lot, and a temporary
maintenance and storage yard. Parcel 2 is the site of Bozeman Health’s Deaconess
Regional Medical Center including inpatient and outpatient buildings, an emergency
department, and numerous surface parking lots. See the included Existing Footprints
Exhibit for more details.
A variety of adjacent uses surround the project site. To the north, northwest, and west
are City of Bozeman properties managed for cemetery and Parks and Recreation uses.
To the south is the Knolls residential neighborhood. To the east, across Highland
Boulevard, is additional Bozeman Health land that is managed for agriculture and as
publicly accessible open space, known as Highland Glen.
Parcel 1 is zoned R-O and Parcel 2 is zoned B-2. See the included Property Zoning
Exhibit for more details.
Existing Infrastructure
Transportation
The project site is serviced by Highland Boulevard (Minor Arterial), Ellis Street (Local),
and Old Highland Boulevard (Local). There are shared use paths along the entire
length of Highland Boulevard, Old Highland Boulevard, and Ellis Street. Natural
surface trails connect the project site to Burke Park (aka Peet’s Hill) to the west,
Lindley Park to the north, and the Highland Glen trail system to the east. Streamline’s
Purple Line provides transit service along Highland Boulevard.
Public Utilities
WATER
A 12-inch ductile iron water main runs the length of Highland Boulevard. The Hillcrest
Senior Living Center and Regional Medical Center are serviced by a series of looped
ductile iron water mains ranging in size between six and 14-inches. The project area
includes 20 fire hydrants.
See Civil Sheet C3.1 for more details.
SANITARY SEWER
The sewer main servicing the project area is an eight-inch vitrified clay line running
northeast from the Highland-Old Highland intersection, across Ellis Street, through
the City Parks & Recreation softball facility, and then tying in at Haggerty Lane. The
main trunk servicing Hillcrest is also an 8-inch clay line. The main trunks servicing
the Regional Medical Center are 8-inch PVC lines except for the main for the
Emergency Department which is a 6-inch PVC line.
See Civil Sheet C3.1 for more details.
STORMWATER
The existing storm water system for the subject property includes surface runoff to
inlets feeding pipes ranging in size from 12 to 24inches which lead to two surface
ponds or the intermittent “urban waterway” conveyance on the east side of Highland
Boulevard.
See Civil Sheet C3.1 for more details.
Proposed Improvements
Site Improvements
The proposed phase 1 developments for the Bozeman Health Deaconess Regional
Medical Center include the following improvements:
The expansion of Parking Lot E and related civil engineering and landscape
improvement
o Includes spaces and electrical infrastructure for overnight RV parking
for families visiting patients at the hospital
Water and sewer services will not be provided for the overnight RV
parking spaces
o Includes parking lot area lighting
Improvements and expansion to the existing maintenance yard and the
addition of asphalt paving
o Includes improvements to the existing stormwater detention area and
new underground retention system
o Includes extending current lighting
Demolition of vacant and dilapidated Hillcrest garages
Reclamation of the non-conforming gravel Parking Lot I and landscape
improvements
Expansion of Parking Lot A and related civil engineering and landscape
improvements
o Includes retaining walls and signage
More detailed retaining wall design by a structural engineer will
be provided with the next site plan submittal
o Includes improvements to the existing stormwater detention area
o Includes parking lot area lighting
Block Frontage
The proposed development block frontage standard is “Mixed”. Therefore, “Mixed”
block frontage standards will be met along Highland Boulevard, Old Highland
Boulevard, and Ellis Street.
Landscape & Irrigation
Landscape improvements include two new parking lots with parking lot landscaping
including trees, shrubs and groundcovers. The new landscaping shall comply with all
requirements listed in the Bozeman Municipal Code and City of Bozeman Landscape
and Irrigation Performance and Design Standards. Parking lot landscape areas will
help manage stormwater runoff, provide visual buffering from Ellis Street and
Highland Boulevard, offer shade, and enhance the aesthetic appeal to complement
the existing architecture. New parking lot landscaping includes large canopy trees,
islands, and screening. Parking lot landscaping will be irrigated with an automatic
irrigation system.
The maintenance yard is screened by a six-foot-tall chain-link fence with vinyl slats,
along with screening shrubs planted outside the fence. This helps obscure the yard
from the Hillcrest facility, Parking Lot E, and Old Highland Boulevard.
Along Highland Boulevard, Old Highland Boulevard, and Ellis Street, new street
frontage landscaping will be provided including large canopy street trees and
boulevard landscaping. In areas where overhead power lines exist, ornamental tree
species approved for use under power lines will be used to satisfy street frontage
landscaping requirements. Street trees will be irrigated with dedicated drip systems
to each tree to allow the ability for trees to be irrigated separately from the
surrounding landscape in times of drought.
Within this phase of development, the existing nonconforming parking Lot I will be
rehabilitated as a landscaped open space with street frontage landscaping. All
disturbance to existing landscaping from construction activities will be repaired and
reseeded as necessary. This open space will be irrigated with temporary irrigation for
establishment with permanent drip systems for any trees and planting beds.
There will be landscape improvements to the stormwater pond at the intersection of
Highland Boulevard and Ellis Street including a combination of native seeding,
shrubs, groundcovers, and trees to provide shade to users. A dry river landscape
feature with planting beds, large cobble rock, and landscape boulders will provide an
attractive conveyance of water into the stormwater pond. Retaining walls will be used
in the design of Parking Lot A and will include terraced landscape beds and signage
to create an attractive entrance and landmark acknowledging arrival from the north
to the hospital campus. This will be an opportunity to provide an outdoor space for
both hospital visitors and community members to use.
See Landscape Sheets L1.1 – L4.1 for more details about the proposed landscape and
irrigation improvements.
Open Space
The Bozeman Health Campus currently has approximately 45,700 square feet of
existing commercial open space that consists of pedestrian areas and seating at the
major entrances of the hospital. As outlined in the Master Site Plan, each phase of the
campus plan that includes new building construction will introduce additional open
space. Phase 1 spans three distinct sections of the campus, although open space has
been focused on the north section. Phase 4 includes approximately 9,600 square feet
of open space adjacent to the new parking structure, which will help serve the
southeast section of the campus in the future. As future construction will disturb
this area, open space will be provided in a separate site plan. Phase 5 includes
approximately 10,600 square feet of open space with the construction of the MOB 6
building further increasing open space and pedestrian amenities on campus.
Commercial open space in Phase 1 consists of existing multi-use paths, benches, and
concrete seat walls for seating, as well as enhanced landscaping along the improved
storm pond and retaining walls. These spaces serve as both a visual amenity and a
place for human activity.
See sheet L1.2 for open space calculations and specific locations.
Signage
We are proposing a new internally lit, mounted sign attached to the tiered retaining
walls in the Parking Lot A expansion, located in the northeast corner of campus. This
sign will enhance wayfinding for hospital visitors and establish the site’s role as a
community amenity and service.
For details on the proposed signage, refer to sheet L2.3. Additional design
specification will be provided through a separate signage permit or a modification to
the comprehensive signage plan.
Transportation Improvements
This phase only includes surface improvements and thus no vertical construction or
additional occupiable building area are being constructed. Corresponding, no new
vehicle trips will be generated by the proposed improvements. Therefore, this site
plan application is requesting a TIS waiver.
Multimodal transportation improvements include a new sidewalk along the east side
of Old Highland Boulevard. Additional pedestrian pathways will be included in the
Parking Lot E and Lot A expansions that connect to the existing sidewalk network.
Additionally, new pedestrian ADA ramps have been added to several pedestrian
crossings along the east side of Old Highland Boulevard.
Parking Improvements
This phase includes all the surface parking improvements proposed in the Bozeman
Health Master Site Plan (23-357). These improvements include expanding Lot E,
expanding Lot A, and removing Lot I. The owner wishes to complete all the surface
parking improvements as part of Phase 1 to maximize the parking available during
future vertical construction phases which in the past have constrained and
temporarily reduced the available parking.
Below is preliminary accounting of the existing and proposed new parking spaces for
all the surface parking lots. These numbers will be finalized with the Site Plan
submittal.
LOT NAME EXISTING
SPACES
NEW
SPACES
TOTAL
SPACES
Lot A 109 197 289
Lot B 79 79
Lot C 260 260
Lot D 42 42
Lot E 545 162 707
Lot F 78 78
Lot G 194 194
Lot H 105 105
Lot I 150 -150 0
TOTAL
SPACES
1562 209 1754
RV Parking
With the last expansion of Parking Lot E, Bozeman Health added two recreational
vehicle (RV) parking spaces. These spaces include 30-amp electric hooks ups and do
not include any water or sewer services. The purpose of this program is to provide a
low-to-no-cost housing option for families with members receiving long-term care at
the hospital.
Bozeman Health Offers RV Parking to Patients Traveling for Care
The improvements proposed in this submittal include six (6) new RV overnight
parking spaces. The new spaces will accommodate pull-through access for larger RVs
and include 30-amp and 50-amp electric hook ups. The new spaces will not include
any water or sewer services.
Utility Improvements
WATER
No buildings are proposed for this project, so no additional water services or mains
are required for this project. We will adjust any existing valve stems to grade as
necessary.
SEWER
No buildings are proposed for this project, so no additional sewer services or mains
are required for this project. We will adjust any existing manhole rims to grade as
necessary.
STORMWATER
The existing pond to the west of Lot E will be relocated to the west of the parking lot
expansion. The maintenance yard will be expanded, and the surfacing will be
improved to asphalt. The drainage from the maintenance yard will be collected in an
inlet and conveyed east to an existing surface pond which will be expanded to store
the additional runoff. The northeast primary stormwater pond for the campus will be
improved and expanded as needed to meet all code requirements and will include
landscaping.
Also, a subsurface chamber system will be added within the new paved parking lot
area associated with Lot E. The chamber system will be connected to the existing
stormwater system and overflow to the north pond during larger stormwater events
limited to the pre-development peak flow.
See Civil Sheets C5.1 and C5.2 for more details about the proposed new stormwater
facilities.
Water Rights Information
All irrigation water use is expected to come from an existing well on campus and
there is no additional water services planned within phase 1; therefore, cash-in-lieu
will not be necessary. The existing well and irrigation system will be assessed on-site
in collaboration with Bozeman Health and their independent landscape contractor to
conduct a comprehensive evaluation of water use and ensure the well’s capacity
meets the proposed irrigation needs.
Responses to Informal Comments
The responses to the City of Bozeman’s Informal Review Comments dated 1/28/2025
have been addressed in blue font below.
1. Comment
It doesn't appear that there is anything on this plan to assign addresses to at
this point.
a. Acknowledged.
2. Comment
The Bozeman health master site plan (Application #: 23357) must be approved
prior to Phase 1 site plan approval. Some outstanding items to be addressed
with the master site plan include:
• Required shared-use-path and ADA improvements to be included with Phase
1,3 & 5.
• Traffic Impact Study
• Mobility Plan
• Stormwater, Water, Sewer Design Reports
• Phasing Plan for on-site/off-site improvements-The Traffic Impact Study
(TIS) must align with the Phasing Plan.
a. Understood. The above listed outstanding items will be addressed
within the master site plan.
3. Changemark
W/S Water and Sewer Easement
Trees and structures aren't allowed in the easement to maintain the water and
sewer mains. This includes the light posts.
a. Proposed trees have been removed from the utility easement and are
further than ten (10) feet of any utility main or service lines. See L1.4-
L1.7 for tree locations.
4. Changemark
W/S Sewer Easement
Trees are not allowed in the easement to maintain the sewer main.
a. Proposed trees have been removed from the utility easement and are
further than ten (10) feet of any utility main or service lines. See L1.4-
L1.7 for tree locations.
5. Changemark
Forestry Changemark note #01
Proposed trees will need to be low-growing species appropriate for planting
near overhead powerlines. Low-growing species are labeled in the City of
Bozeman Street Tree Guide with a "U" symbol. Street Tree Guide:
https://www.bozeman.net/departments/parks-and-
recreation/forestry/resources
a. Proposed trees are now designated as low-growing species as
labeled in the City of Bozeman Street Tree Guide. See planting
schedule on sheet L1.3 for species information.
6. Comment
Specifically to this informal review as it stands regardless of incomplete MSP,
Fire supports what is proposed for circulation and access. PLEASE note that
performing a fire truck turning radius exhibit for all proposed parking would be
required with formal submittal. Turning radius must meet 28 foot radii. West
asphalt maintenance yard must include a delineated fire apparatus dead end
turnaround at formal submittal.
a. The maintenance yard has been striped for a dead-end turnaround
meeting the dimensional requirements in IFC 2021 Appendix D103.1.
We have included a fire truck turning movement within the upper
tier of Lot A to confirm access. All other parking lot expansions are in
conformance with City of Bozeman standards and fire truck access
is adequate.
7. Changemark
UDC 38.230.100.E.3 Master Site Plan
You have a five phase Master Site Plan (MSP) application submitted in 2023,
Project No. 23357. You have received city agency comments on that submitted
and it is deemed incomplete. You must complete the MSP prior to approval of
any single Phase within the MSP area. Please revise and resubmit the MSP.
Note that the demolition of the Hillcrest parking garage buildings was not
included in the MSP application. Will you be using that land for any purpose
related to the Health Campus?
a. Understood. The demolition of the Hillcrest garages has been
included in the MSP resubmittal. The land is not intended for any
specific use; the goal is simply to remove dilapidated garages from
the property.
8. Changemark
Maintenance Yard improvements
Please provide details of the surface material for the maintenance yard; the
landscape screening of the facility, details of the fencing of the yard,
pedestrian pathways (if any); drive access for the size of vehicles that would
operate therein; fire-truck turnaround; snow storage areas; and stormwater
management.
a. Please see sheet C3.2 for surface material of maintenance yard, drive
access information, and fire turnaround striping. Please see sheet
L1.5 for proposed snow storage areas and landscape screening of the
maintenance yard. See sheet L2.2 for details of the proposed fencing
around the yard.
9. Changemark
38.550.050.C. trees in parking lots
Please provide sufficient trees within the parking lot to meet code. FIRE will
want to see a turning-radius exhibit that is not inhibited by the RV and trailer
parking spaces.
a. There are sufficient trees provided within the parking lot to meet
requirements. See sheet L1.2 for parking lot tree calculations. The
maintenance yard has been striped for a dead-end turnaround
meeting the dimensional requirements in IFC 2021 Appendix D103.1.
We have included a fire truck turning movement within the upper
tier of Lot A to confirm access. The drive-aisle on either side of the RV
parking spaces are in conformance with the City of Bozeman
Standards and can accommodate an RV up to 50’ in length without
extending into the drive-aisle. Most Class A motorhomes are 40’ long
so the typical largest class of motorhomes will fit in the RV spaces
without impacting fire access. All other parking lot expansions are in
conformance with City of Bozeman standards and fire truck access
is adequate.
10. Changemark
Phase 2 of MSP
Please clarify that the demolition of the garages and construction of a storage
building is for the Bozeman Health Campus use and not for the Hillcrest
residential care use. If it is for the BZN Health Campus, please include it in the
MSP and the Phase 2 site plan submittals.
a. The Hillcrest storage garages are no longer in use by either Bozeman
Health or Hillcrest Senior Living. Any future storage building that is
built will be for Bozeman Health’s use, however, no storage building
is currently proposed within the MSP. The demolition of the Hillcrest
garages has been added to the MSP submittal and will be included
in the Phase 2 site plan submittals.
11. Comment
BMC 38.270.030.C—Completion time for site development: Provision of
municipal central water distribution, municipal sanitary sewer collection
systems, streets, and stormwater systems means that the criteria in either
subsection a or subsections b and c are met. All improvements must be
installed prior to the issuance of a building permit (pursuant to the criteria
established in subsection a) for any building within the site, except when
concurrent construction is an identified purpose of the initial project review
and approved pursuant to the criteria established in subsection b and c of this
section.
a. Acknowledged.
12. Comment
DSSP Section II.A.4—Water Quality: The applicant must include a drainage plan
with post-construction stormwater management controls that are designed to
infiltrate, evapotranspire, and/or capture for reuse the post-construction
runoff generated from the first 0.5 inches of rainfall from a 24-hour storm
preceded by 48 hours of no measurable precipitation. For projects that cannot
meet 100% of the runoff reduction requirement, the remainder of the runoff
from the first 0.5 inches of rainfall must be either: a. Treated onsite using post-
construction storm water management control(s) expected to remove 80
percent total suspended solids (TSS); b. Managed offsite within the same sub-
watershed using post-construction storm water management control(s) that
are designed to infiltrate, evapotranspire, and/or capture for reuse; or c.
Treated offsite within the same subwatershed using post-construction storm
water management control(s) expected to remove 80 percent TSS.
a. Acknowledged, see drainage report.
13. Comment
DSSP Section II.C—Water Quantity: The applicant must provide on-site
detention with release rates limited to pre-development runoff rates. Retention
ponds must be sized based on a 10-year, 2-hour storm intensity.
a. Acknowledged, see drainage report
14. Comment
Montana Post-Construction Storm Water BMP Design Guidance Manual)—
Seasonal High Groundwater: The applicant must demonstrate that seasonal
high groundwater will not impact the function or maintenance of the proposed
facilities. Industry guidance recommends a three-foot minimum separation
from the bottom of the proposed facility to the underlying groundwater table.
The applicant must provide local seasonal high groundwater elevations to
support the proposed design.
a. Groundwater is at least three-foot minimum from the bottom of the
proposed facilities to the high groundwater table. See drainage
report.
15. Comment
Please include standard stormwater runoff calculations with site plan
submittal, run-on areas, culvert size, invert elevations, slope, and outfall
location.
a. Acknowledged, see plans and drainage report.
16. Comment
DSSP Section II.B.3—Storm Drainage Plan: The storm drainage plan must
include description of the ultimate destination of storm water runoff from the
project and an evaluation of its impact on downslope drainage facilities and
water quality.
a. Acknowledged, see drainage report.
17. Comment
DSSP Section II.B.5—A storm drainage facilities maintenance plan shall:
1. Identify ownership of all facilities;
2. Establish a schedule for maintenance activities necessary to keep the
system operationally effective;
3. Identify the responsible party in charge of the specific maintenance duties.
a. Acknowledged, see drainage report O&M plan.
18. Comment
DSSP Section V.D.5.c—No permanent structures shall be placed within a utility
easement unless an encroachment permit has been obtained. Trees or other
significant landscaping features shall not be placed within ten (10) feet of any
utility main or service lines.
a. Proposed trees and landscape features have been removed from the
utility easement and are further than ten (10) feet of any utility main
or service lines. See L1.4-L1.7 for tree and landscape feature locations.
19. Comment
The stormwater strategy looks reasonable for this phase, but it is important to
complete the storm drainage plan for the MSP first to ensure that this phase is
compatible with the overall plan and landscape.
a. Acknowledged, see drainage report.
20. Changemark
WTRCON Top Soil
Landscaped areas must have a minimum topsoil depth of 6” through out the
entire planting area. See City of Bozeman Landscape and Irrigation
Performance and Design Standards Manual, Section 3.2.1 Landscape Design
Standard, Soil Quality Requirements, 1).
a. A minimum of 6” depth of topsoil has now been specified. See
planting notes on sheet L1.3.
21. Changemark
WTRCON Pathway
When following the prescriptive landscape design approval pathway all
landscaped areas not installed as turf grass must consist solely of low and/or
very low water use vegetation (plant factor of .3 or less). See City of Bozeman
Landscape and Irrigation Performance and Design Standards Manual, Section
3.2.1 Landscape Design Standards, Landscape Design Approval Pathways,
Prescriptive Landscape Design Pathway (percentage-based approach), 1), b).
a. All landscaped areas not installed as turf grass consist of vegetation
with a plant factor of 0.3 or less. See planting schedules on sheets
L1.3 for more information.
22. Comment
No parks and recreation requirements.
a. Acknowledged.