HomeMy WebLinkAboutBozemanCommunityPlan_Appendices_CityCommissionCOMMUNITY PLAN
PLAN APPENDICES
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CONTENTS
ENGAGEMENT + PROCESS TO CREATE THE PLAN A-1
PHASE ONE | FOUNDATION A-1
PHASE TWO | ANALYSIS + VISION A-3
PHASE THREE | OPPORTUNITIES + CHOICES A-6
PHASE FOUR | DRAFT + FINAL PLAN A-9
TECHNICAL UPDATE 2025 A-11
INFRASTRUCTURE + SUPPORTING DATA B-1
SECTION 76-25-203 EXISTING CONDITIONS AND POPULATION PROJECTIONS B-2
SECTION 76-25-206 HOUSING B-6
SECTION 76-25-207 LOCAL SERVICES AND FACILITIES B-11
SECTION 76-25-208 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT B-18
SECTION 76-25-209 NATURAL RESOURCES, ENVIRONMENT AND HAZARDS B-20
SECTION 76-25-213 LAND USE AND FUTURE LAND USE MAP B-25
SECTION 76-25-214 AREA PLANS B-26
SECTION 76-25-215 ISSUES PLANS B-26
SECTION 76-25-216 IMPLEMENTATION PLAN B-27
HISTORY AND PHYSICAL SETTING C-1
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE C-1
PHYSIOGRAPHY C-13
GLOSSARY D-1
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SUMMARY BY APPENDIX
APPENDIX A: ENGAGEMENT AND PROCESS TO CREATE THE PLAN
Appendix A details the outreach and engagement process that helped shape the Community Plan. The
four-phase process used in-person and digital approaches to engagement to capture the voice of the
community.
• Phase One (Foundation) engaged the community and determined what people love about Bozeman,
what people believe could be improved about Bozeman, and their vision for Bozeman’s future.
• Phase Two (Analysis and Vision) built upon the engagement in Phase One and refined the plan
themes that were developed based upon Phase One comments from the community. Furthermore,
participants were asked to consider opportunities that can help the City realize its vision.
• Phase Three (Opportunities and Choices) outreach involved a community event held at the Bozeman
Public Library and an online questionnaire that were designed to gather community input on the
specific opportunities that coincide with each of the seven themes.
• Phase Four (Draft and Final Plan), the final phase in the Community Plan Update process was
conducted over the course of several months to ensure community opportunity to review the
document, satisfaction with, and acceptance of the Plan. Community comments provided throughout
the first three phases were incorporated into this final Plan which includes specific goals, objectives,
and designated indicators to measure success of each goal.
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APPENDIX B: INFRASTRUCTURE AND SUPPORTING DATA
Appendix B includes references to the City’s key infrastructure plans, with descriptions of, and links to
each plan document. Included plans detail future and existing plans for topics including but not limited
to transportation, storm water, wastewater, parks and open space, public safety, economic development,
housing, and parking. Also included are descriptions and connections to other data that addresses the
required contents of the land use plan.
Statistics and text in this section are taken from the Demographic and Real Estate Market Assessment
prepared by Economic and Planning Systems (EPS) in 2018, the 2025-2045 Population and Economic
Forecast, and other sources. Demographic information included highlights existing population
characteristics such as total count, income, and age, as well as housing, employment, and commercial
and industrial statistics.
APPENDIX C: HISTORY AND PHYSICAL SETTING
Appendix C details the history of the City of Bozeman and key physiographic details.
APPENDIX D: GLOSSARY
Defines specific terms used in the Plan.
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ENGAGEMENT + PROCESS TO
CREATE THE PLAN
Residents, property owners, stakeholders, and public officials shaped this Community Plan throughout
a progressive four-phase update process. The technical update in 2025 relies upon this process and
maintains the same Themes, Goals, and Objectives.
PHASE ONE | FOUNDATION
The Foundation Phase engaged the community and determined what people love about Bozeman, what
people believe could be improved about Bozeman, and their vision for Bozeman’s future. Outreach
efforts consisted of an ice cream social event at Dinosaur Park, one-on-one interviews, group sessions,
Planning Board and City Staff meetings, and an online questionnaire.
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Responses indicated that Bozeman’s outdoor lifestyle, sense of place and belonging while in a City
environment, and high quality of life were the three aspects of the City that people loved the most.
Areas where participants felt Bozeman could improve were; multi-modal transportation, the preservation
of farmland and open space, and housing affordability.
When asked about the desired future of Bozeman, people envisioned a larger city with a dynamic,
modern economy, a variety of attainable housing options, and a multi-modal transportation system.
SUMMARY
Background
What is the Community Plan and what is its purpose?
Imagine what Bozeman will look and feel like in twenty years. How will the community accept a large
increase of residents? How will transportation be addressed? Will we grow upward or outward in relation
to density? What will Bozeman be known for?
The Community Plan builds on the overarching vision and vision statements within the Strategic Plan and
specifically guides land use planning decisions.
The passage of time, as well as a high rate of development, changing economic conditions, and
maturing nearby communities make it necessary to update the Plan and through its process, identify the
community supported answers to those questions above.
Notification and Interview Process
Stakeholders were contacted directly through email and in-person interviews were conducted at
the Community Development building. The interviews focused on the aspects of Bozeman that the
participants loved, areas where improvement is needed in the future, and a vision for Bozeman in the
year 2040. Stakeholders were asked to complete the online survey as well as invite their colleagues in
the community to participate. In addition, everyone interested had access to multiple listening sessions
provided throughout the community. Participation was recruited by direct email, news releases, and
other broadly applicable outreach.
Overall Summary
What do you LOVE most about Bozeman?
Top 10 List (LOVES)
1. Small Town Feel
2. Outdoor Lifestyle
3. The People
4. Bike/Trail Network
5. Parks & Recreation
6. Architecture
7. Connectivity
8. Central Location
9. Downtown
10. Climate
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What would you like to IMPROVE about Bozeman in the future?
Top 10 List (IMPROVES)
1. Growth Management
2. Improve Transparency
3. Multi-modal Transportation
4. Improve Infrastructure
5. Neighborhood Identity
6. Reduce Regulations
7. City Leadership
8. Increase Walkability
9. Historic Preservation
10. Alleviate Traffic
In 2040, Bozeman will be…
Top 10 List (2040)
1. Multi-modal Transportation
2. Well-Preserved
3. Small Town Feel
4. High Quality of Life
5. Bikeable
6. Walkable
7. Distinct Neighborhoods
8. Regional Growth
9. Vibrant
10. Model City
Key Takeaways
The stakeholders of Bozeman are very passionate about the City and take pride in the sense of place,
belonging, and outdoor lifestyle that Bozeman provides. The close-knit community, access to nature,
the high quality of architectural design, and Downtown were also frequently mentioned as aspects that
interviewees loved about the City.
Stakeholders were most concerned about the potential for Bozeman to become sprawled and cited
its issues with the transportation system, the need for government transparency, and absence of
neighborhood identity. These are areas Bozeman should improve in the future.
In 2040, Stakeholders imagined Bozeman to be a well-preserved city that has maintained its sense of
place and belonging with a multi-modal transportation system that provides access to a series of distinct
and vibrant neighborhoods. Several comments highlighted that Bozeman will be a model city for others
to base their future development on.
PHASE TWO | ANALYSIS + VISION
Phase Two built upon the engagement in Phase One and refined the seven themes that were developed
based upon Phase One comments from the community. Furthermore, participants were asked to
consider opportunities that can help the City realize its vision.
Outreach efforts consisted of a community event, one-on-one interviews, group sessions, City
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Commission presentations, and an online questionnaire.
People stated that they would like to see increased corner-commercial developments in or near
neighborhoods, improved multi-modal transportation options and access throughout the community,
increased density, historic preservation, and greater regional planning efforts.
SUMMARY
Notification
This Community Event was publicized at two public events; at updates to the City Commission and
Bozeman Planning Board; direct emails to those who have supplied their contact info as part of this
process; social media outlets, including the City’s existing Facebook, Nextdoor, and Twitter accounts;
postcards at highly trafficked locations and other ongoing City and community events.
Purpose
Each step in the Community Plan update process is built to collect a greater level of detail than the
previous step, through thought provoking questions and exercises. The purpose of the Community Event
was to begin defining specific opportunities that can help the City realize the seven themes that were
developed through previous outreach efforts.
The Event
The Community Event took place at the Bozeman Public Library on Thursday, November 29th, between
5 and 7pm. Members from City staff and consultant team provided an overview of the Community Plan,
progress to-date, and instructions for the opportunities exercise. Participants were asked to choose four
themes to provide opportunities for, and given a chance to physically locate areas for opportunities by
drawing on a large-scale map of Bozeman. Approximately 45 people attended the event.
Identified Opportunities, Summarized by Theme
The Shape of the City:
Support the development of an additional regional park within the City
• Strengthen the viability of other areas to distribute goods and services and alleviate congestion
Downtown
• Integrate walkable areas throughout the City
• Foster increased development within the northeast area of the City
• Encourage appropriately-sized commercial nodes within neighborhoods
• Maintain and improve the City’s infrastructure
• Reduce the prevalence of large parking lots to promote walkability
A City of Unique Neighborhoods:
Define specific neighborhoods through the identification of unique features
• Facilitate increased community engagement through additional parks, community centers, and
commercial nodes
• Coordinate improved public transportation access throughout neighborhoods
• Increase neighborhood density through the rezoning / up-zoning of vacant lots
• Permit farmers’ markets and food trucks to use vacant lots
• Locate affordable housing near public transit and necessary amenities
• Expand workforce housing near Montana State University
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• Consider implementing a resort tax
• Preserve the unique identity of northeast Bozeman
A City Bolstered by Downtown and Complementary Districts:
• Identify a district at the west end of the City to promote a cohesive, walkable destination
• Investigate North 7th as the primary location for taller buildings
• Establish and enforce density minimums on North 7th
• Emphasize affordable housing along North 7th
• Reassess the historical significance of structures on North 7th
• Promote compatible infill Downtown
• Develop parklets and additional greenspace throughout districts
• Promote commercial development near Montana State University
A City Influenced by Our Natural Environment, Parks, and Open Space:
Maintain healthy urban forests
• Establish public transit connections to parks
• Implement trail corridors
• Preserve and utilize creek corridors as a way to support walkability and water quality
• Enhance wayfinding throughout parks and open space
• Create connections between parks and the neighborhoods around them
• Retain the mountain views through the development of wide streets
• Ensure parks and open space are accessible to all ages
• Improve lighting in parks to promote year-round use
• Incentivize trail construction in fringe developments
A City Influenced by Regional Cooperation and Defined Edges:
• Expand the City’s planning jurisdiction
• Focus on long-term water conservation to avoid additional infrastructure costs in the future
• Explore the annexation of inholdings to promote efficiency of services
• Adjust tax policy for inholdings to be commensurate with the surrounding zoning district
• Encourage school districts to stay within City limits
A City that Prioritizes Mobility Choices:
• Coordinate with the Streamline to develop a circulator transit route between Downtown, The
Cannery, and North 7th
• Expand access to public transportation and frequency of service
• Increase infrastructure funding for multi-modal transportation options
• Amplify winter maintenance of bike routes
• Reduce the frequency of large delivery vehicles on Main Street
• Further develop east/west bicycle corridors
• Explore commercial nodes to the west to reduce congestion Downtown
• Improve wayfinding to promote pedestrian activity
• Designate key locations for protected bike routes
A City Powered by its Creative, Innovative, and Entrepreneurial Economy:
• Attract high-paying jobs through the promotion of Bozeman’s high quality of life
• Consider a sales tax as an alternative to property tax increases
• Collaborate with local educational institutions to increase the qualified workforce base
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• Foster Bozeman’s local agriculture industry through the support of agri-hoods and food distribution
centers
• Recognize the potential benefit of attracting and promoting the sustainability industry and “green”
start-up companies
• Encourage the use of live/work spaces to support small businesses and housing affordability
PHASE THREE | OPPORTUNITIES + CHOICES
Phase Three outreach involved an online questionnaire that was designed to gather community input
on the specific opportunities that coincide with each of the seven Themes. Multiple tools were used
to encourage participation including news posts on the City website, direct emails to those who had
supplied their contact info as part of this process; and social media outlets, including the City’s existing
Facebook, NextDoor, and Twitter accounts.
Increasing walkability and access to neighborhood commercial uses, along with strategically locating
affordable housing were just some of the many proposed opportunities from the public event.
230 people took part in the online survey and, in addition to the objectives mentioned above, increasing
density, preserving open space, and establishing multi-modal connections were suggested.
SUMMARY
Overview
The Opportunities Survey was opened to the public on December 12, 2018 and closed on January 25,
2019. A total of 230 people took part in the survey, designed to identify and confirm opportunities related
to the seven vision statements. Later in the year, at the Sweet Pea Festival and SLAM festival, a follow-
up questionnaire was held with similar results from approximately 200 responses. As shown in the chart
below, the three most selected visions were:
1. A City Influenced by our Mountains, Open Space, and Parks;
2. A City that Prioritizes Mobility Choices; and
3. A City of Neighborhoods.
The Shape of the City
Participants indicated that commercial nodes are needed in the northwest neighborhoods, North 7th,
and south of Kagy and generally felt that the seven story height was appropriate and used the Baxter
Hotel as an example. However, some responses indicated a desire to see shorter buildings in the future
in areas where mountain views could be diminished.
Downtown, North 7th, 19th, and the Cannery District were all said to be areas where more intense
development should take place. Additionally, responses showed that there was a preference for more
intense development in those areas if open space in town was maintained and continually expanded
through new developments.
When asked about additional opportunities to fulfill this vision, responses included:
• Increasing density in appropriate areas
• Incentivizing infill as a way to increase density
• Preserving open space
• Promoting affordable housing along transit corridors
• Reducing parking minimums
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• Focusing on alternative transportation options
Participants in the questionnaire indicated that pedestrian-friendly streetscapes and the integration with
surrounding natural landscapes were the two items within the theme that they were most excited about.
*It is important to note that this theme was removed and its components were consolidated into the
other six themes, where appropriate.
A City of Unique Neighborhoods
It was recognized that a neighborhood is a concept without a simple definition. Characteristics of
neighborhoods included: proximity to parks; walkability; cohesiveness amongst neighbors; and diversity
of ages, specific boundaries, and historic or cookie-cutter nature. While 60% of respondents stated that
their neighborhood included walkable centers, commercial nodes, inclusivity, housing variety, schools,
and parks, the remaining 40% of people indicated that walkability and commercial nodes were missing
from their communities. When asked about additional opportunities to fulfill this vision, responses
included:
• Encouraging small grocery store development
• Maintaining housing character in new developments
• Increasing connectivity to parks and neighborhoods
• Encouraging affordable housing development
• Developing community gardens
• Improving pedestrian and bike access
• Enhancing traffic calming measures
• Promoting accessory dwelling units
Participants in the questionnaire indicated that they were most excited about convenient and accessible
neighborhoods, with strategic growth in developed areas also being of importance.
A City Bolstered by Downtown and Complementary Districts
Participants were asked about building height preferences in each of the three named districts
(Downtown, Midtown, and University) and responses were quite varied. In Downtown, height preferences
ranged from a maximum of three stories to a maximum of thirty stories with five to seven being the most
common answer. In Midtown, height maximums ranged from three stories to thirty with the most common
again between five and seven stories. Responses for height preferences in the University district had the
same results as Midtown and Downtown. In remaining areas of the City, the preferred height limit was
much lower, typically up to three stories with several comments stating that five story developments are
appropriate.
More mixed-use areas are desired within Bozeman along with strategic preservation of trees, open
space, and wetlands.
When asked about additional opportunities to fulfill this vision, responses included:
• Encouraging mixed-use development
• Expanding public transportation
• Reducing car-dependency
• Promoting commercial activity near the university
• Locating affordable housing developments in Midtown
• Defining additional districts on the west and northeast parts of Bozeman
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Responses to the questionnaire indicated that multi-modal connectivity between districts, and diversity in
housing and employment opportunities were the two most exciting components of this theme.
A City Influenced by Our Natural Environment, Parks, and Open Space
Over 94% of respondents indicated they live within a ten-minute walk of a park or open space. Of those
94%, 67% said that they walk to local parks or open space multiple times a week.
Connecting existing trail systems, along with expanding the trail systems in the west side of Bozeman
were frequently mentioned as important components of this vision.
When asked about additional opportunities to fulfill this vision, responses included:
• Researching sustainable funding options for Bozeman’s green spaces
• Increasing density in the city core
• Improving pedestrian safety
• Continuing partnerships with the Gallatin Valley Land Trust, Trust for Public Land, and others
• Creating more stringent development requirements that emphasize trail connectivity
Responses to the questionnaire showed an equal level of interest in natural environment protection
regulations, open space acquisition, and climate change impact considerations.
A City Engaged in Regional Coordination
Responses showed a strong desire to protect wetlands, floodplain, wildlife habitat, and key corridors
for north/south wildlife migration. Additionally, limiting sprawl, promoting sustainable practices,
and preserving agricultural land were mentioned. Participants also stated that greater coordination
between the City and regional authorities is needed in relation to transportation, water, sewer, growth
management, and more.
When asked about additional opportunities to fulfill this vision, responses included:
• Increasing public engagement efforts
• Expanding education and training sessions for elected officials
• Restoring and naturalizing regional waterways
• Coordinating planning efforts and documents
Questionnaire responses showed a substantial interest in the efficient use of land and thoughtful
expansion of the City’s area.
A City that Prioritizes Mobility Choices
46% of participants said that they have used public transit in the past year. For those that have not used
public transit, reasons comprised of: long commute times using public transit; inconvenient scheduling;
and lack of bus stops.
For those that are that said they are employed, 46% drive a car, 30% ride a bike, 17% walk, and 6% work
from home, and only 1% use public transit.
When asked about additional opportunities to fulfill this vision, responses included:
• Funding winter maintenance of trails and paths
• Enhancing traffic calming measures
• Developing protected bike-paths along main roads
• Establishing more east-west connections
• Promoting safe pedestrian access to all public schools
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• Increase funding for alternative transit options (bus, bicycle, walking)
• Researching the feasibility of an affordable airport shuttle
• Creating connectivity requirements for new development
Questionnaire respondents chose safe and functional walking and biking and interconnected systems as
the most exciting aspects of this theme.
A City Powered by its Creative, Innovative, and Entrepreneurial Economy
Low wages and rising housing costs are seen as the largest deterrents for those starting a business
in Bozeman, due to the difficulty for prospective employees to live in town. The high quality of life in
Bozeman, its excellent location, and Montana State University are seen as some of the most attractive
reasons why a business would locate here.
When asked about additional opportunities to fulfill this vision, responses included:
• Increasing minimum wage within the City
• Reducing regulatory restrictions on small businesses
Support for local companies and growing from within, as well as economic diversification were chosen as
the most exciting components of this theme.
PHASE FOUR | DRAFT + FINAL PLAN
The final phase in the Community Plan Update process was conducted over the course of several
months to ensure community awareness, satisfaction, and acceptance of the Plan. Community comments
provided throughout the first three phases were incorporated into this final Plan which includes specific
goals, objectives, and designated indicators that measure success of each goal.
COMMUNITY OPEN HOUSE 1 | SUMMARY
Notification
The Community Open House was publicized through television; at updates to the City Commission and
Bozeman Planning Board; direct emails to those who have supplied their contact info as part of this
process; and social media outlets, including the City’s existing Facebook, Nextdoor, and Twitter accounts.
Purpose
Each step in the Community Plan update process is built to collect a greater level of detail than the
previous step, through thought provoking questions and exercises. The purpose of the Open House was
to present Future Land Use Categories and Maps to the public for feedback. Public input and comments
will be integrated into the final Community Plan.
Event
The Community Open House took place at the Bozeman City Hall Commission Room on Thursday,
October 17th, between 4 and 6pm. Members from City staff provided summaries of the draft Future Land
Use Categories, and presented the Future Land Use Map (shown to the right). Participants were asked
to assess whether the Future Land Use Categories match the needs of the community, and to provide
input on the Future Land Use categories’ spatial placement in the City. Meeting participants wrote
their answers to three main questions about the categories on white boards. Approximately 73 people
attended the event.
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COMMUNITY OPEN HOUSE 2 | SUMMARY
Notification
The Community Open House was publicized through television; at updates to the City Commission and
Bozeman Planning Board; direct emails to those who have supplied their contact info as part of this
process; and social media outlets, including the City’s existing Facebook, Nextdoor, and Twitter accounts.
Purpose
The purpose of the Open House was to present the initial public draft of the Community Plan including
Future Land Use Categories and Maps to the public for feedback. Public input and comments will be
integrated into the final Community Plan.
Event
The Community Open House 2 took place at the Bozeman City Hall Commission Room on Tuesday,
December 3rd, between 4 and 6pm. Members from City staff were available to answer questions on the
text of the plan, provided summaries of the draft Future Land Use Categories, presented the Future Land
Use Map, and metrics for success. Approximately 20 people attended the event.
PUBLIC HEARINGS | SUMMARY
Notification
The City conducted multiple public hearings to share and receive information from the community prior
to making a decision on whether or not to adopt the draft Community Plan. The public hearings were
publicized through television; through newspaper articles and paid advertisements; posting dates on the
project website; at updates to the City Commission and Bozeman Planning Board; direct emails to those
who have supplied their contact info as part of this process; and social media outlets, including the City’s
existing Facebook, Nextdoor, and Twitter.
Purpose
The purpose of the public hearing is the formal opportunity for community participation in the adoption
process. Public hearings are required by state law prior to any final decision by the Planning Board or the
City Commission. Public input and comments were considered and many were integrated into the final
Community Plan.
Events
After developing the document draft for public review the Planning Board held three public hearings on
July 21st, July 28th, and August 10th, 2020. The Planning Board considered the draft document, heard
and considered public comments, and made several revisions to the map and text. On August 17th the
Planning Board formally passed Resolution 20-1 transmitting the recommended document to the City
Commission.
On August 18th the City Commission was formally presented the Planning Board’s recommended
document and the subsequent review process was outlined. The City Commission formally passed a
resolution of intent to adopt a growth policy on August 25, 2020. Adoption of the Resolution of Intent is
the formal initiation of the City Commission’s review.
To help encourage public understanding of the document and participation in the public review process
the City hosted three online workshops to present aspects of the plan and answer questions. There were
116 attendees at the three workshops. Recordings of the workshops were posted on the project website
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so those not able to attend could still obtain the information.
• Sept 16 - Public work session 1 focused on text of Plan with Q&A.
• Sept 23 - Public work session 2 focused on future land use with Q&A.
• Sept 30 - Public work session 3 focused on overall Plan and open Q&A.
On October 6, 2020 the City Commission conducted their first work session and public hearing on the
draft. They asked questions, heard public comments, and suggested possible revisions for consideration
at their following meeting. On October 20th the City Commission held their second work session and
public hearing. After considering a staff presentation and public comments the Commission directed
several amendments to be included in a revised draft of the growth policy.
On November 17, 2020 the City Commission conducted their final public hearing. After consideration of
all matters and public comment they adopted Resolution 5133 adopting the Bozeman Community Plan
2020.
TECHNICAL UPDATE 2025
Purpose
The purpose of the technical update is to bring information in the plan current and to conform to new
state laws. The technical update did not seek to modify policy or community priorities. Even with this
limited scope public engagement is an important element of the update. Public hearings are required by
state law prior to any final decision by the Planning Board or the City Commission.
Engagement Tools
The City Commission began the formal process in September 2024 by identifying the general process.
This was in conjunction with public engagement planning for the update to Chapter 38 of the municipal
code. The proposed approach and timing was shared with the public at many public events during
the fall of 2024 through spring 2025. A formal public engagement plan was adopted in July 2025
identifying the specific steps of engagement for the update.
ENGAGE BOZEMAN | SUMMARY
The Montana Land Use and Planning Act requires use of electronic means to share information and
receive comments. The City created a project website which provides scheduling information, frequently
asked questions, public engagement materials, and draft documents for public review. The City receives
electronic comments through the comments@bozeman.net dedicated email and all project comments
were archived and made publicly available through the City’s Laserfiche archive accessible through the
main City website.
People can also participate electronically in meetings through video streaming, call in comments, online
agenda and packet materials, and archived video recordings of all public hearings on the project.
COMMUNITY OPEN HOUSE 1 | SUMMARYNOTIFICATION
The Community Open House was publicized through updates to the City Commission and Bozeman
Community Development Board; news posts on the project webpage, and emails to interested parties.
PURPOSE
To explain the intended update process, share information on existing conditions, population and
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housing need projections, and answer questions.
EVENT
The Community Open House took place twice, first online on August 25th and later in person on
August 27th at the Bozeman Library Community Room. The same information was provided to the City
Commission on August 26th and the Community Development Board on September 8th and the Inter-
Neighborhood Council on September 11th.
COMMUNITY OPEN HOUSE 2 | SUMMARY
NOTIFICATION
The Community Open House was publicized through updates to the City Commission and Bozeman
Community Development Board; news posts on the project webpage, social media, and emails to
interested parties.
PURPOse
To explain the intended update process, share information on the draft land use plan, and answer
questions.
EVENT
The Community Open House took place on September 29th at the City Commission room at City Hall,
121 N. Rouse Ave.
PUBLIC HEARINGS | SUMMARY
NOTIFICATION
The City conducted multiple public hearings to share and receive information from the community prior
to making a decision on whether or not to adopt the draft Community Plan.
The public hearings were publicized through paid newspaper advertisements; posting dates on the
project website; at updates to the City Commission and Bozeman Community Development Board; direct
emails to those who have supplied their contact info as part of this process; and social media outlets.
PURPOSE
The purpose of the public hearing is the formal opportunity for community participation in the adoption
process. Public hearings are required by state law prior to any final decision by the Community
Development Board or the City Commission. Public input and comments were considered.
EVENTS
After the document draft was released for public review and notice was published, the Community
Development Board held a public hearing on Oct 6, 2025. The Community Development Board
considered the draft document, heard and considered public comments, and determined whether or not
to make revisions to the map and text, and passed a resolution transmitting the recommended document
to the City Commission.
On October 28, 2020, the City Commission conducted their public hearing on the draft. They asked
questions, heard public comments, and determined if possible revisions were needed for consideration
at their following meeting. After determining that the plan contains all required materials the Commission
will pass a Resolution of Adoption to complete the public review process.
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B
INFRASTRUCTURE + SUPPORTING
DATA
The Montana Land Use Planning Act (the Act), passed in 2023, requires extensive information on existing
conditions, expected future conditions, and consideration of impacts of growth. The Act explicitly allows
for use of issue plans to address required materials. An issue plan is a document that for all or part of a
jurisdiction provides a more detailed or thorough analysis for any component of the land use plan. The
City has a long history of developing issue plans for this purpose. Each issue plan considers needs for
the future to address future demand for services.
This Appendix identifies required data, organized by the section number in state law addressing that
topic. Information for issue plans is presented in tables with titles and links to the issue plans. The City
updates multiple plans every year. If you have a question on applicability of data, please contact the City.
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Some data is provided by state or federal agencies and links to websites or printed reports are provided.
Data is available for different time frames. Sources like the US Census American Community Survey
update annually but data is delayed in distribution for up to two years. Other data like the City’s GIS
viewers are active data that are continually updated to show recent zoning map changes. Information in
this Appendix comes from City of Bozeman, state, federal, and other sources.
Rather than sampling the available data for the plan, where reasonable a link to the entire report or
resource website has been provided. This allows the reader much greater latitude to explore areas of
interest to them. Some basic data is provided in each section to illustrate the scope and applicability of
the data to Bozeman. A grouping of maps is provided that address the topics below. Links in the table go
to the entire map set. Links in the text point to a specific map. For those interested in the entire data set
the documentation and maps are available.
Bozeman only has legal control on land development within its legal borders. The jurisdictional area of
this plan is therefore only the city limits. The Planning Area does extend beyond the city boundary but
only in an advisory capacity to coordinate internal City of Bozeman functions, with Gallatin County, and
landowners. As properties are annexed they are subject to the jurisdiction of this plan.
SECTION 76-25-203 EXISTING CONDITIONS AND POPULATION PROJECTIONS
Document Name Approval Process Date of Approval Resolution/Ordinance Hyperlink to Document
2025-2045 Bozeman Population and Housing
Forecast
Adoption by Resolution as part of the land use
plan
Link (external PDF)
Bozeman Annual Land
Use Inventory and map
No approval process
applies
On-going Link (external
PDF)
Link (external PDF)
GIS Data – Com. Dev.
Viewer & Public Works Viewer
No approval process
applies
Ongoing
data updates
Link (External
website)Link (External website)
Maps Adoption by Resolution as part of the land use plan
Link (External website)
Non-City materials
MT Dept of Commerce –
Community Profiles
No City approval process
applies
Link (external
website)
CiTY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNiTY PLAN, APPENDiCES B-3
US Census – American
Community Survey Income and Poverty
No City approval process
applies
On-going Link (external
website)
US Census – American Community Survey No City approval process applies On-going Link (external website)
US Census – American
Community Survey – SEC MT
No City approval process
applies
Link (external
website)
US Census – On The Map, Commuter flow No City approval process applies On-going Link (external website)Link (external PDF)
National Vital Statistics Report No approval process applies Ongoing data updates
Link (External PDF)
US Census ACS Birth Trends No approval process applies Ongoing data updates
Link (External PDF)
Montana Cadastral No approval process applies Ongoing data
updates
Link (External website)
MT Dep of Commerce – Residential Physical
Condition
No approval process applies Ongoing data
updates
Link (External website)
MSU Quick Facts – All Students No approval process applies Ongoing data
updates
Link (External website)
Bozeman’s planning area is 70.8 square miles and the current municipal area as of Dec 1, 2024, is 22.03
sq. mi. Bozeman has annexed approximately 680 acres on 27 sites since the adoption of the prior land
use plan in 2020. This represents roughly a 1% expansion in area per year. Fifteen of those annexations
were filling in unincorporated areas surrounded by the City.
The City area is zoned for 26% employment and services, 5.3% mixed use district, 14.9% public lands,
and 49.8% residential uses. All zoning districts allow for a range of uses. See the 2024 land use
inventory linked above for greater detail. Bozeman is a relatively recently constructed community with
MT Dept. of Revenue (MTDOR) data showing 47% of all structures being less than 30 years old. See the
Age of Structures map set for distribution. MTDOR data also shows that the great majority of residential
properties are in very good or better condition. This data excludes apartment buildings which are
B-4 CiTY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNiTY PLAN, APPENDiCES
considered commercial properties.
Trends for population and job characteristics and growth are presented in various documents above.
Bozeman has a robust economy and has seen considerable in-migration for several decades. Montana
State University has been a significant
economic driver, as has a high amenity
setting, ready national and international
access through Bozeman-Yellowstone
International Airport, the growth of remote
work, increases in tourism, and being a
services hub for southwest Montana.
Future population increases, employment,
and housing demand are provided in
the 2025-2045 Bozeman Population
and Housing Forecast linked above and
elsewhere in this appendix. The City
considers many factors when evaluating
future trends and the forecast provides
multiple scenarios. It also considers the
larger region as the Bozeman economy and
housing marking is embedded in the larger
community.
Maxar
¯Annexations since
N o v e m b e r 1 s t , 2 0 2 0
D a t e E x p o r t e d a n d E n d o f D a t a R a n g e : 8 / 2 1 / 2 0 2 5 1 : 2 5
0 0.5 1 1.5 20.25 Miles
City Limits
Annexations
L a n d U s e P l a nBoundary
CiTY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNiTY PLAN, APPENDiCES B-5
2025-2045 Bozeman Population and
Housing Forecast
Bozeman’s population age
composition is substantially
impacted by the presence of
Montana State University with
over 17,000 students. Gallatin
County as a whole has seen a
decrease in poverty as wages
have increased significantly
over the past five years.
However, cost of housing has
increased faster than wages.
Bozeman has experienced
significant in-migration over
the past several decades. As
birthrates have declined most
population growth has come
from people choosing to move
to Bozeman. This trend is expected to continue. A large portion of the enrolled students at Montana
State University come from another state and tourism brings many people for the first time who decide to
make that trip to Bozeman a permanent thing.
2025 Labor Day Report, MT Department of Labor and Industry
The growth of Bozeman can be seen on historic fire insurance maps. The Sanborn maps were
published in cities and towns across the nation in the 19th and 20 centuries. The maps illustrate detailed
information about structures, streets, property boundaries, building uses and materials. Local information
on historic structures and historic districts is available through the City website and Map 14.
B-6 CiTY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNiTY PLAN, APPENDiCES
SECTION 76-25-206 HOUSING
Document Name Approval Process Date of Approval Resolution/Ordinance Hyperlink to Document
2025-2045 Bozeman Population and Housing Forecast
Adoption by Resolution as part of the land use plan Link (external PDF)
Community Housing Needs Assessment Adoption by Resolution Mar 11, 2019 5024 Link (external PDF)
Community Housing Action Plan Adoption by Resolution Apr 20, 2020 5143 Link (external PDF)
Five Year CDBG
Consolidated Plan
Adoption by Resolution July 23,
2024
5604 Link (external
PDF)
Bozeman 2024 Q2 Market
Report
No approval process
applies
Ongoing
data updates
Link (external
PDF)
Bozeman Livable Sq. Ft.
Report 2020-2025
No approval process
applies
Ongoing
data updates
Link (external
PDF)
Bozeman 2020-2024
Building Data
No approval process
applies
Ongoing
data updates
Link (external
PDF)
Bozeman 2024 Building Permit Annual Report No approval process applies Ongoing data updates
Link (external PDF)
Bozeman Community Housing Map No approval process applies Ongoing data updates
Link (external PDF)
Bozeman Building Permit Dashboard No approval process applies Ongoing data updates
Link (external PDF)
Maps Adoption by Resolution as part of the land use plan Link (external PDF)
Non-City materials
MT Department of
Commerce – Housing
website
No City approval process
applies
Link (external
website)
US Census ACS Housing
Trend – Gallatin County
No City approval process
applies
Link (external
PDF)
One Valley Foundation
Regional Housing Report
No City approval process
applies
Link (external
website)
CiTY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNiTY PLAN, APPENDiCES B-7
2025 Gallatin Valley Housing Report No City approval process applies Link (external PDF)
Bozeman has seen substantial residential construction over the past five years. The COVID pandemic
drove substantial demand for housing and purchase prices escalated over 170%. Data provided above
gives historical detail, projections for additional demand in the future, and information on the individual
buildings being constructed.
Montana State University is the largest housing demand generator in the valley. It provides a variety
of on-campus housing options for both undergraduate and graduate students. The University has
constructed several new residential facilities recently as enrolled has significantly increased. The majority
of students do not live on campus.
Housing demand and affordability have been an issue discussed in land use plans for the City since
1972. Affordable housing has been particularly concerning due to a consistent mismatch between
local wage levels and cost of housing. The City has facilitated construction of additional homes with
thoughtful infrastructure planning, review and adjustment of development regulations to match current
circumstances, and financial support for price limited homes. The City’s tools to support affordable
housing are limited by law. The great majority of all price limited housing constructed in the past five
B-8 CiTY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNiTY PLAN, APPENDiCES
years has come through the federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit subsidy. All price limited housing
requires substantial subsidization. Bozeman has created regulatory housing incentives, however recent
state legislature action has reduced the effectiveness of the City’s incentives. The One Valley housing
report from 2021 describes some of the challenges. Rapid escalation in housing prices has increased the
degree of subsidy needed.
Concern on housing available housing at prices people can support is a national issue. Changing
demographics, increasing costs of labor and materials, land availability, and financing all influence
both need for and availability of housing. The 2025-2045 Bozeman Population and Housing Forecast
provides information on likely housing needs for the future. Bozeman has seen a recent spike on
housing construction as a deficiency in basic supply was addressed. Vacancy rates during the COVID
pandemic reached essentially zero which is very unhealthy for a housing market and the people who
need somewhere to live.
The City has established a community housing program hosted in the Economic Development
Department. This program works with price limited housing providers to identify locations and methods
and to leverage state and federal incentives like Low Income Housing Tax Credits. Hundreds of homes
have been constructed and are in construction now across the community through those programs in the
past five years. See the Bozeman Community Housing Map, Housing Action Plan, and Housing Needs
Assessment above for more information.
Most structures in Bozeman are quite young. According to MTDOR data, only 21.6% of structures in
Bozeman are greater than 50 years of age. The housing stock is also in good condition. The older areas
of the community have seen steady reinvestment and renovation of buildings. The good condition and
corresponding value increases decreases the likelihood of existing properties being redeveloped as
the difference in before and after construction value is less. The scope of this is shown on Map 7. Of the
parcels for which data is available almost all have improvements worth more than the value of the land
with 3,234 having a 3x improvement value to land value. In many older areas of town the improvement
value to land value trends higher as these areas are often seen as desirable.
Map set 6 shows several density analyses evaluating existing development density to potential density.
Many areas of the community have fewer homes on site than the zoning would allow. However, given
the high value of existing improvements the likelihood of redevelopment is lower. Some areas of the
map show greater development potential because they are zoned but not yet developed. Map 6d shows
where development projects are actively in the review process and overlay many of the areas presently
shown as vacant or undeveloped.
There is an estimated need for 10,700-15,100 new residences in Bozeman by the year 2045 to house
projected population increase. The City’s policies call for both infill and external expansion to meet
this need. Many smaller infill opportunities may come from the addition of units to existing structures,
accessory dwelling units, or new homes being added to larger lots. Larger projects may be able to
financially support removal and replacement of existing buildings. If the balance of zoning districts
remains as it is today, and minimum required density construction is completed then 2,275 to 2,935
acres will be needed to meet additional housing needs. The 2024 land use inventory shows that 1,084
acres are currently vacant, and 421 acres are currently undeveloped in residentially zoned districts.
See the inventory for definitions. Not all of the vacant or undeveloped land will be capable of being
developed as portions of those areas will be restricted by environmental limitations, dedication as future
parks, or other constraints. These figures indicate that it is highly likely that additional annexations will be
CiTY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNiTY PLAN, APPENDiCES B-9
Table 1: 2024Q2 Market Report
Table 2: Bozeman, Montana Population & Housing Forecast
B-10 CiTY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNiTY PLAN, APPENDiCES
required to meet residential needs over the planning period. The most likely areas of physical extension
of the City are to the northwest and southwest due to patterns of infrastructure and the natural grade to
support sewer flow.
The City’s zoning code and infrastructure planning are adequate to meet the future housing needs.
The City is actively updating its zoning and subdivision regulations to meet the requirements of MLUPA.
Completion of the updated process will occur prior to the May 2026 deadline for compliance. Execution
of specific development proposals will incrementally produce the housing.
POTENTIAL RESTRICTIONS ON HOUSING
MLUPA requires an analysis of potential constraints to housing development.
1) Landowner willingness. The City cannot compel construction and development. If the landowner does
not choose to bring land to market, the City cannot change that. This situation is equally applicable for
infill sites or land being added to the City. There are several sites within municipal boundaries well suited
for development for which the landowner has chosen not to develop or to do so in a very limited way. As
noted above, additional land will be required to be annexed to meet housing needs. Montana law places
primary control of the annexation process with the landowner. State tax rates set taxes for agricultural
land very low which removes one potential motivation to annex and develop property.
Bozeman established an annexation policy to identify City priorities, plans for expansion of utilities and
services, and has made a great amount of data available to the public. These actions lessen uncertainty
and risk for the landowner and are an enticement to annex. The City works with Gallatin County as
described in Theme 7 to encourage annexation. Annexations over the past 5 years are shown on Map
set 4 and were all landowner initiated. Annexations back to 1996 are shown on the GIS Community
Development viewer linked above. The City continues to encourage annexations consistent with the
City’s annexation policy.
2) Zoning restrictions are unlikely to limit housing production. Most of the residentially zoned property
does not develop to the maximum possible amount as shown on Map set 6. Therefore, zoning does
not appear to be a restriction to development. The City has long had a primarily administrative review
process except where required state law; and MLUPA transfers additional administrative responsibility for
review of subdivisions and other processes formerly reserved to the City Commission. Building permit
information is shown in Map set 5 and in the Building Permit Dashboard linked above. The majority of
residential zoning in Bozeman historically allowed buildings with multiple dwelling buildings and all
residential zoning allows multiple homes on an individual parcel.
3) Utility capacity. The City actively plans for the long-term capability to increase service. The water,
wastewater, and stormwater issue plans identify existing conditions, expected future demands, identify
needed capital investments to maintain or expand the systems, operational improvements to reduces
costs and improve efficiency, and enable coordination with other municipal services. The greatest
constraint on utility capacity is state and federal permitting. Water, sewer, and stormwater utilities are
subject to external permitting. Wastewater treatment requirements associated with the City’s Montana
Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit impose substantial costs and may represent unsolvable
hurdles if the requirements are not well considered. Nutrient regulations are the current focus for MPDES
discharge permit regulations that must be thoughtfully considered before implementing new regulations.
New nutrient regulations may have a substantial impact on ability for wastewater treatment facilities to
accommodate new housing. Impracticable standards introduce uncertainty and unreasonable cost in
CiTY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNiTY PLAN, APPENDiCES B-11
service capacity expansion.
Sewer collection infrastructure can also be a large barrier to adding housing. This barrier is often a
funding barrier. We have long-term plans for the infrastructure that lay out the most cost-effective means
of building the infrastructure. We also have developed some funding in conjunction with public-private
partnership funding. However, additional infrastructure funding would further remove barriers to housing
development.
The City actively pursues water conservation, water supply acquisition, and best industry practices
according to its 50-year water supply issue plan, which is currently being updated, to ensure high level of
service and constrained costs to citizens. The City has an annual capital improvement program to identify
priority projects, coordinate work within the utilities and across departments to minimize costs, and
avoid infrastructure limitations on development. The City actively engages with regulatory agencies to
get ahead of potential restrictions, ensure clear communications, and when necessary, pursue revisions
to law and permitting processes. As such, there is a significant barrier to developing municipal water
supplies, and therefore capacity for new housing, related to water rights permitting. Permitting needs
to be streamlined for clarity, predictability, and to reduce time to obtain municipal water rights permits.
Currently, municipal water rights permits take anywhere from 5-8 years and significant investment with
no guarantee a municipal right can be obtained at the end of such a long process. Other western states
with similar water scenarios have more refined and predictable processes for municipal water right
development that Montana could benefit from generally known as growing communities doctrine.
4) Private covenants. Most of Bozeman’s housing has been constructed in the last 30 years. It has been
common for private covenants to be established with new subdivisions restricting the use of the land
or establishing extensive design requirements and review processes. There is no state law governing
private covenants or property owner associations to require the transparency and accountability that
local governments must provide when restricting property. Covenants are not required to be modified to
respond to changes in state land use policy like local governments are required to do and therefore are
highly likely to conflict with recent state directives to allow increased building heights, greater flexibility
in the type of homes constructed, or other mandates. Covenants are often written with a limited view
and are not subject to the periodic review and update process required of local government land use
planning. Many covenants have amendment requirements that are very difficult to meet, so that even
practical or beneficial changes are not made. There is no legal expiration period for a private covenant
so restrictions continue long past the time of utility.
SECTION 76-25-207 LOCAL SERVICES AND FACILITIES
Document Name Approval Process Date of Approval Resolution/Ordinance Hyperlink to Document
Fire and EMS Master Plan Adoption by
Resolution
Nov 6, 2017 4848 Link (External PDF)
Fire Department Strategic Plan Administrative
Order
Link (External PDF)
Fire Department 2024 Annual
Report
No approval
process applies
Ongoing
data
updates
Link (external PDF)
B-12 CiTY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNiTY PLAN, APPENDiCES
Document Name Approval Process Date of Approval Resolution/Ordinance Hyperlink to Document
Gallatin County Hazard
Mitigation Plan & Community
Wildfire Protection Plan
Adoption by
Resolution
Jan 12, 2021 5256 Link (External PDF)
Mutual Aid Agreements – Fire Approved by
Motion
Mar 5, 2012 Motion Link (External PDF)
City of Bozeman Law
Enforcement
Internal document 2020 Link (External PDF)
Mutual Aid Agreement –
Police
Approved by
Motion
July 9, 2012 Motion Link (External PDF)
Cemetery Master Plan Approved by
Advisory Board
Aug 4, 2017 Link (External PDF)
Integrated Water Resources
Plan
Approved by
Motion
Sep 30, 2013 Motion Link (External PDF)
Integrated Water Resources
Plan Implementation Plan
Approved by
Motion
Dec 2, 2013 Motion Link (External PDF)
Wastewater Collection
Facilities Plan
Adoption by
Resolution
December
17, 2024
5664 Link (External PDF)
Water Facilities Plan Adoption by
Resolution
Sep 25, 2017 4838 Link (External PDF)
Water Conservation and
Efficiency Plan
Adoption by
Resolution
Oct 23,
2023
5547 Link (External PDF)
Drought Management Plan Adoption by
Resolution
May 3, 2022 5398 Link (External PDF)
Storm Water Facilities Plan Adoption by
Resolution
May 6, 2025 Motion Link (External PDF)
Public Works Facilities Master
Plan
Internal document 2020 Link (External PDF)
Transportation Master Plan
2017
Resolution May 1, 2017 4790 Link (External PDF)
Bozeman Community
Transportation Safety Plan
Approved by
Motion
May 18, 2015 Link (External PDF)
Downtown Strategic Parking
Management Plan 2016
Approved by
Motion
July 18, 2016 Link (External PDF)
Downtown Strategic Parking
Management Plan Existing
Conditions Report 2023
Internal document
only
2023 Link (External PDF)
CiTY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNiTY PLAN, APPENDiCES B-13
Document Name Approval Process Date of Approval Resolution/Ordinance Hyperlink to Document
Parks, Recreation, and Active
Transportation Plan 2023
Resolution Sept. 12,
2023
5502 Link (External PDF)
Appendices not
linked.
Urban Forestry Management
Plan
Commission
Resolution
February 22,
2016
4679 Link (External PDF)
GIS Data – Com. Dev. Viewer
& Public Works Viewer
No approval
process applies
Ongoing
data
updates
Link (External
website)
Link (External
website)
Maps Data is
Incorporated as
part of Land Use
Plan
Link (external PDF)
Non-City Materials
School District 7 Enrollment
Projections and Trends
No City approval
process applies
Updated
annually
Link (External PDF)
School District 7 Enrollment
Memo 2024
No City approval
process applies
Updated
annually
Link (External PDF)
Gallatin County
Superintendent of Schools
County-wide Data
No City approval
process applies
Updated
annually
Link (External PDF)
MT Office of Public Instruction
- School Enrollment
No City approval
process applies
Updated
annually
Link (External PDF)
Gallatin County GIS Analysis
of School Enrollment vs
Population Growth Trends
No City approval
process applies
NA Link (External PDF)
Gallatin Solid Waste District
Logan Facility License
Approved by MT
DEQ.
Nov 15, 1995 Link (External PDF)
Bozeman Health Community
Health Needs Assessment
2023
No City approval
process applies
NA Link (External PDF)
Medical Providers Exemplary
List
No City approval
process applies
NA Link (External PDF)
Montana Department of
Trasportation System Map
No City approval
process applies
On-going Link (External
website)
Metropolitan Planning
Organization
Approved by
Motion
Dec 12,
2023
Motion Link (External PDF)
B-14 CiTY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNiTY PLAN, APPENDiCES
Document Name Approval Process Date of Approval Resolution/Ordinance Hyperlink to Document
Streamline Coordination Plan No City approval
process applies
Link (External PDF)
Streamline Bus – Urban
Transit District
No City approval
process applies
Link (External
website)
Triangle Trails Plan No City approval
process applies
November
23, 2021
Link (External PDF)
Infrastructure is a primary function of a municipality. The City prepares many issue plans to manage these very important and very expensive functions. The City also prepares issue plans and other documents to consider operational needs and data for services. The following table is an example of infrastrucfture
located in Bozeman.
Infrastructure Type Installed Total Miles Sept. 2025
Water 317.32
Sewer 256.03
Stormwater 135.90
Streets 399.03
Total Acres
Parks 1,078.09
Most services expand incrementally as the community grows. The City has integrated most departments
into the development review system so that all agencies can stay abreast of changes and likely
increased demand for services. The funding for some departments, like utilities, come primarily from
enterprise funds where regular fees are charged to cover the costs of operations. Some departments,
like finance and legal, are funded entirely from the general taxes paid by landowners. Others, like
community development, are a blend of fees and taxes. Historically, the state’s tax structure has not
provided a growth in tax revenues equal to the increase in demand for and cost of services. This has
resulted in a greater reliance on service fees to fund municipal operations. The City may only use
funding tools authorized by the state. Continuing change at the state level will directly affect the ability of
the City to provide services.
The City often coordinates with partner jurisdictions. Mutual aid agreements set terms by which agencies
support each other. When the City experienced a large gas explosion Downtown in 2006, many different
fire departments in the valley assisted in the response. The City also actively plans for emergencies
through the coordination of the Gallatin County Emergency Service. The hazard mitigation plan identifies
many possible events that could occur and how to prepare and respond. Locations of local emergency
service responders are shown on Map set 13.
MLUPA requires Bozeman to address with the land use plan a number of service subjects where the
CiTY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNiTY PLAN, APPENDiCES B-15
City does not control the provision of services. Medical and schools are two examples. Those are
separate entities but have provided information included above on existing and future needs. Shifting
demographics will influence both municipal and non-municipal services. A declining national fertility
rate reduces the number of births and therefore, the required number of schools, changes the types of
recreation programming needed from the Parks Department, and likely effects enrollment at MSU. See
data links above and Map 16.
Some services, like solid waste are provided both by the City of Bozeman and various private
companies. Multiple companies provide composting, solid waste disposal, and recycling. There is one
landfill in the county managed by the Gallatin Solid Waste District, of which Bozeman is one participant.
The permitting for the landfill is managed by the state’s Department of Environmental Quality and
predated the preparation of this plan.
STRATEGY FOR DEVELOPMENT, MAINTENANCE, AND REPLACEMENT OF PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE.
The City of Bozeman actively manages its infrastructure. The issue plans listed above are integrated with
other information through tools like the GIS viewers linked above and asset management software.
The planning area for each facility plan generally matches the planning area for this growth policy. Minor
mismatches do occur at fringe locations. Over time, these will be corrected as each plan is updated and
matched to the land use plan boundary. The water plans rely on geographical features and facilities
located well outside of the land use planning area. This is reflective of the realities of watershed
operation.
The City draws water from three sources:
• Sourdough drainage: 33 square miles
• Hyalite drainage: 51 square miles
• Lyman Spring recharge area: 13 square mniles
Each plan contains analysis of existing and future needs. For detailed evaluation of each facility please
consult the appropriate facility plan. The City updates several issue plans each year. The planning time
period and frequency of update needed to remain current varies by type of facility.
Some facilities, such as transportation, address the demands placed by many thousands of daily
commuters and of persons passing through the community as well as residents. Others, like stormwater,
primarily address needs by residents. A comparison of individual plans will therefore show differences in
the size of anticipated service populations now and in the future.
The City has a highly robust web presence to share infrastructure information. Using web viewers,
anyone can see existing and planned future infrastructure. They can select individual segments to obtain
basic information on age, size, and type. This greatly facilitates infrastructure management and design
by both public and private parties to upkeep and expand systems. The City has invested in sophisticated
modeling systems that allow rapid evaluation of potential changes to the water and sewer systems.
The issue plan process provides a first level of review and mitigation for development impact. Facility
plans like water or transportation consider probable development and resulting demands. This enables
analysis of new demand against existing facilities, identification of where capacity expansion is required,
and preliminary system design for new areas. The annual capital improvement program schedules
specific projects for construction and coordinates funding. Individual development proposals provide a
final level of detail before construction.
B-16 CiTY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNiTY PLAN, APPENDiCES
MAINTENANCE AND REPLACEMENT
City staff conduct daily maintenance and operations on all facilities and local services. Local services
are all services provided by the City for the benefit of citizens and visitors. These services include, but
are not limited to, police, fire, water, recreation, streets, parks, libraries, wastewater, and solid waste
collection and disposal. Daily maintenance is supported by the annual budget funded by the taxes and
fees assessed for services. The City’s adopted budgeting principles commit to adequate maintenance
and orderly replacement. Operational expenses from the water, sewer, sanitation, and stormwater
functions are paid by the monthly service fees assessed to users of the service. Maintenance of streets is
primarily funded by a city-wide special district that is billed with the semi-annual property tax bills. Where
appropriate, special improvement districts help reconstruct some local streets. Parks is supported by a
voter approved special district. For a more extensive discussion of budgeting and accounting principles,
individual operations, and expenditures please see the most current City budget.
The City maintains a substantial inventory of various facilities. The characteristics of each item are
included in the asset management program as well as its geographic location. This asset list enables
departments to consider age, condition, and other factors to determine when maintenance or
replacement is required. There are adopted standards for expected service life of each type of facility.
The City includes maintenance concerns in its design process and standards. The City of Bozeman
Engineering Division Design and Construction standards were updated in 2024. The operating
departments prepare budget requests each year to provide needed funding to replace deficient items
or those reaching the end of their service life. Substantial projects become part of the City’s Capital
Improvement Program (CIP) which provides public disclosure of substantial projects. The City has found
that adequate maintenance reduces the frequency of required replacement and is less expensive for
citizens over the long run.
INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT
The facility plans look forward to construction of additional infrastructure needed to service an
expanding City. Each considers where new work can best be located. Most facilities operate as networks
of connections and therefore, placement of one new improvement can facilitate further expansion or
improve function of existing work. The water, sewer, and transportation plans specifically identify needed
improvements to expand or upgrade service in areas not currently annexed to the City.
The facility planning process provides an essential opportunity to coordinate between plans and
agencies. As the City considers extensions of sewer and water it enables a change in land use from rural
to urban uses. The City prioritizes identification of larger scale facilities such as collector and arterial
streets. Local service items such as local streets and minimum sized water mains are most effectively
designed during the land development process when greater information on uses is available.
The City has established design standards and performance standards for all levels of infrastructure.
These standards guide the individual project designer during preparation of development applications.
The City uses a Capital Improvement Program system to plan for major projects over a five-year period
and is updated annually through a public process. The facility plans provide the basic material from
which to construct the CIP, having identified major needed projects to service an expanded city. This
provides transparency in City operations and enables participation by the public in decision making.
Individual projects are identified, benefits and costs are described, funding sources are assigned and
an overall picture of the revenue needed to construct the projects is determined. The CIP process
CiTY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNiTY PLAN, APPENDiCES B-17
ensures that a longer-term vision of the community’s development is always considered in prioritizing
individual projects for construction. The annual update enables the City to be responsive to changing
conditions including needs identified for proposed development. Funding for the CIP primarily comes
from utility charges, street maintenance and stormwater assessments, and a park maintenance district
for maintenance functions. Impact fees for water, sewer, fire/EMS, and transportation provide essential
funding for capacity expanding work.
Much of the local scale infrastructure is constructed by private development and later transferred to
the City with final plats or other completion processes. These are minimum standard improvements
necessary to meet the day-to-day needs of residents and users of new development. In calendar year
2024, private installation of infrastructure resulted in 5.53 miles of streets, 5.52 miles of water mains, 3.31
miles of sewer mains, 2.91 miles of stormwater mains, and 6.965 acres of parks begin transferred to the
City. Once transferred they are a maintenance responsibility of the City and municipal fees and taxes pay
for their maintenance and operation.
After the 2020 US Census identified that the urban area had exceeded 50,000 persons, the City became
part of a new Metropolitan Planning Organization [MPO] during the effective period of of the prior plan.
An MPO is a federally required multi-community organization for areas over 50,000 in population that
supports multi-jurisdiction coordination in transportation planning, multi-modal networks, and road
development. As described in Theme 7 the City is committed to Regional Coordination and will take
many different actions to participate in shared decision making. The MPO coordinates transportation
planning across a defined area and includes the cities of Bozeman and Belgrade as well as Gallatin
County. The MPO conducts analysis and prepares a long-range transportation plan every four years. The
MPO is hosted by the City of Bozeman but is funded primarily by federal funds.
The Gallatin Triangle Planning Study in 2014 documented 10 different types of formal interlocal
cooperation tools in place in the valley. In 2016, the City of Bozeman, City of Belgrade, and Gallatin
County established the Planning Coordinating Committee to provide a forum for exchange of information
and discussion regarding common issues of land use and development. The City and County staff
regularly communicate on operations issues. Additional interlocal agreements will be adopted as needed
to formalize coordination. The Triangle Community Plan was completed and adopted in 2021 establishing
shared priorities in the area of common interest.
The City does not extend municipal services outside of its boundaries. Therefore, development desiring
access to water or sewer service must first annex. The City has most recently documented this policy
in Resolution 2025-007. This policy enables a clear delineation in service provision and supports a
rational expansion of infrastructure and city boundaries. All services within the City are provided by the
City. Services outside the City are provided by another government agency. Gallatin County’s recently
adopted future land use map identifies areas expected to annex over the near term. The City hopes to
extend its boundaries incrementally and avoid unannexed areas surrounded by the City. Such inholdings
complicate efficient delivery of service and can cause difficulties with extensions of utilities. Incremental
expansion of the City can be seen on the annexation layer available on the Community Development GIS
viewer linked above. Data shown is 1996 to current.
B-18 CiTY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNiTY PLAN, APPENDiCES
SECTION 76-25-208 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Document Name Approval Process Date of Approval Resolution/
Ordinance
Hyperlink to
Document
2025-2045 Bozeman
Population and Housing
Forecast
Adoption by
Resolution as part of
the land use plan
Link (external
PDF)
2024 Q2 Economic and
Market Update
Data - No approval
process applies
Updated annually Link (external
PDF)
2023 Economic Vitality
Strategy
Adopted by
Resolution
Jun 6, 2023 5443 Link (external
PDF)
Urban Renewal Plans Adopted by
Resolution or
Resolution
Midtown – July 18,
2023
Pole Yard – July
18, 2023
North Park – Oct
9, 2017
South Bozeman
Technology – Nov
5, 2012
Downtown – Nov
20, 1995
Northeast
Neighborhood –
Nov 14, 2005
Midtown - Ord
2145
Pole Yard –
Ord 2146
North Park –
Ord 1979
South
Bozeman
Technology –
Res 4414
Downtown –
Ord 1409
Northeast
Neighborhood
– Ord 1655
Link (external
PDF)
Link (external
PDF)
Link (external
PDF)
Link (external
PDF)
Link (external
PDF)
Link (external
PDF)
Capital Improvement
Plan
Adoption by
Resolution of Annual
Capital Improvement
Plan
Dec 10, 2024
(most recent)
5662 Link (external
PDF)
Annual Bozeman Land
Use Inventory - 2024
Data - No approval
process applies
Link (External
PDF)
Maps Adoption by
Resolution as part of
the land use plan
Link (external
PDF)
MT Department of Labor
& Industry, 2025 Labor
Day Report
No approval process
applies – Non-city
document
Annual Report Link (External
PDF)
MT Department of
Labor & Industry –
Montana Labor Market
Information
No approval process
applies – Non-city
website
On-going Link (External
website)
CiTY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNiTY PLAN, APPENDiCES B-19
MT Department of
Commerce – Site
Selector
No approval process
applies – Non-city
website
On-going Link (External
website)
MT Department of
Commerce – Workforce
No approval process
applies – Non-city
website
On-going Link (External
website)
Chamber of commerce
– Tourism Data
No approval process
applies – Non-city
document
On-going data
collection
Link (External
PDF)
USDA Economic
Research Service,
Natural Amenities Scale
No approval process
applies – Non-city
document
On-going data
collection
Link (External
website)
Bozeman international
Airport Annual Report
and Data
No approval process
applies – Non-city
documents
On-going data
collection
Link (External
website)
MSU Annual Research
Expenditure Report
No approval process
applies – Non-city
document
On-going data
collection
Link (External
PDF)
MSU Quick Facts
Employees
No approval process
applies – Non-city
document
On-going data
collection
Link (External
PDF)
MSU New Students and
Success
No approval process
applies – Non-city
document
On-going data
collection
Link (External
PDF)
Data on the jobs and economic
status are contained in the 2025-
2045 Bozeman Population and
Housing Forecast and 2024 Q2
Economic and Market Update
linked above. The City prepares
an economic development issue
plan, most recently completed in
2023 and also linked above.
Bozeman is a services hub for
southwest Montana. Bozeman-
Yellowstone International Airport
provides exceptional access to
the rest of the nation. As a main
gateway to Yellowstone Nation
Park, multiple well known ski
areas, a Tier 1 research university, Airport Route Map, Bozeman, Montana 2024Q2 Market Report
B-20 CiTY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNiTY PLAN, APPENDiCES
and many other attractions Bozeman draws hundreds of thousands of visitors per year and many in-
migrants.
Bozeman and the Gallatin Valley are leaders in job creation in Montana with expanding sectors for
hospitality, retail, manufacturing, health care, technology, and education including the extensive research
activities of Montana State University. An expansion of 26,100 jobs is forecast for the planning period.
The 2025 Labor Day Report from the MT Dept. of Labor and Industry shows the Southwest region,
including Gallatin County, had the fastest employment growth in the state of 1.0% in 2024, adding nearly
1,700 jobs and the second lowest unemployment rate of 2.7%.
Low unemployment, housing availability limitations, high cost of housing, and limited availability of
childcare are all challenges in continued employment growth. Advantages are technology transfer from
research at Montana State University, a culture of entrepreneurship, excellent access to national and
international markets by broadband and air, and grow local approach to nurturing local businesses. The
City supports a healthy economic climate by establishing urban renewal districts to help remove barriers
to redevelopment, efficient provision of infrastructure, a land use regulatory environment that allows
substantial flexibility, and other tools as outlined in the Economic Development Strategy.
SECTION 76-25-209 NATURAL RESOURCES, ENVIRONMENT AND HAZARDS
Document Name Approval
Process
Date of
Approval
Resolution/
Ordinance
Hyperlink to
Document/Source
Bozeman Community Plan - Theme 4 and Theme 6 Adoption by Resolution as part
of the land use plan
November 17, 2020 –
Initial
5133
Bozeman Community Plan
Appendices
Adoption by
Resolution as part of the land use plan
GIS Data – Com. Dev. Viewer & Public Works Viewer
No approval process applies Ongoing data updates Link (External website)Link (External website)
Gallatin County Hazard Mitigation Plan and
Community Wildfire
Protection Plan
Adoption by Resolution Jan 12, 2021 5256 Link (External PDF)
Bozeman Climate Action
Plan
Adoption by
Resolution
Dec 22,
2020
5248 Link (external PDF)
2024 Green House Gas Inventory No City approval process applies Ongoing data updates Link (External PDF)
Gallatin Valley Sensitive Lands Protection Plan
Model Viewer
Acceptance by Resolution Dec 19, 2023 5559 Link (External website)
CiTY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNiTY PLAN, APPENDiCES B-21
Gallatin Valley Sensitive Lands Protection Plan Acceptance by Resolution Dec 19, 2023 5559 Link (External PDF)
Economic Development Strategy Update Adoption by Resolution June 6, 2023 5443 Link (external PDF)
Urban Forestry Management Plan Commission Resolution February 22, 2016 4679 Link (External PDF)
Bozeman Boulevard and Park Tree Inventory No City approval process applies Ongoing data updates Link (External website)
Maps Adoption by
Resolution as part of the land use plan
Link (external PDF)
Non-City Materials
Montana State Library
- Digital atlas, natural resources information system, and other data.
No City approval
process applies
Ongoing
data updates
Link (External
website) FWPLink (External website) NRISLink (External
website) NRIS
State of Montana Field
Guide
No City approval
process applies
Ongoing
data updates
Link (External
website) Montana Field Guide
FEMA flood insurance
studies
Adoption by
Ordinance
March 9,
2021
2057 Link (external PDF)
MT DNRC Water Rights
Query System
No City approval
process applies
Ongoing
data updates
Link (External
website)
MT Bureau of Mines and
Geology, Groundwater
Information Center
No City approval
process applies
Ongoing
data updates
Link (External
website)
MT Bureau of Mines and
Geology, Montana Geologic Maps
No City approval
process applies
Ongoing
data updates
Link (External
website)
MT DEQ Open Cut Mining No City approval
process applies
Ongoing
data updates
Link (External
website)
MT Climate Office No City approval
process applies
Ongoing
data updates
Link (External
website)
Gallatin County Wildlife and
Transportation Assessment:
Spatial Analysis
No city approval
process applies
Completed
May 2025
Link (External PDF)
B-22 CiTY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNiTY PLAN, APPENDiCES
Gallatin Conservation District Water Supply Outlook Reports
No City approval process applies Ongoing data updates Link (External website)
Gallatin County Environmental Health Map No City approval process applies Ongoing data updates Link (External website)
MT Department of Natural Resources and Conservation State Lands
Map
No City approval process applies Ongoing data updates Link (External website)
MT Department of Fish,
Wildlife, and Parks
No City approval
process applies
Ongoing
data updates
Link (External
website)
US Census of Agriculture No City approval process applies Ongoing data updates Link (External website)
Bozeman is located in the Gallatin Valley and is part of the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem. Gallatin
County covers over 2,500 square miles of mountain lands varying in topography and climate from
temperate river valleys to snow-capped peaks and open ranch lands. Nearly half of all the land in Gallatin
County is under public ownership by the Gallatin National Forest, the State of Montana, Bureau of Land
Management or the National Park Service. There are also sizable areas of private land held under
conservation easements to restrict future development.
Bozeman is adjacent to the Bridger range to the east and the Gallatin range to the south; and the
Planning Area is crossed with many small streams. When Lewis and Clark came into the Gallatin Valley,
they described it as “a smooth extensive green meadow of fine grass in its course meandering in several
streams...and a distant range of lofty mountains ran their snow clad tops above the irregular and broken
mountains which lie adjacent to this beautiful spot.” Resource extraction from beaver pelts, mining, and
agriculture in support of the mines drew many early settlers to the area.
The waterways in the valley are primarily small streams, many of which have been modified as part
of the agricultural water user facility network. Determining legal status of each waterway is a material
challenge and ready and reliable data is difficult to find. One commonly referenced resource is the 1961
water resource survey. Although a very useful tool, the scale of mapping is becoming less useful as more
urban development is occurring. Also, the data is now a more than half a century old and becoming less
accurate as the area changes. The City has been working with Montana State University. water user
representatives, and other partners to upgrade locally available date in both the geographic depiction
and attributes of waterways across the planning area. This is a long term project but is making progress.
Bozeman took the lead in working with many community partners to assemble the Sensitive Lands Plan
and viewer, completed in 2023. This brings together many different natural resource data sets to enable
high-level evaluation of likely issues during development, consideration of conservation, and general
awareness. See links above.
Bozeman was originally settled as a supply center for mining activities in Virginia City and elsewhere.
Agriculture was a draw for the railroad to come to Bozeman to ship grain from the Story Mill complex
and cattle. Development of agricultural irrigation facilities has substantially altered the “plumbing” of
the valley, redirecting water flows, creating channels or modifying streams to carry additional flows for
CiTY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNiTY PLAN, APPENDiCES B-23
irrigation. The creation of the sweet pea industry in the area in the early 1900’s created industrial facilities
and many jobs. Echoes of that industry live on in the Sweet Pea festival each summer. Although the
economic influence of agriculture has decreased in the community over time, the community character of
open fields and agricultural activities is still much appreciated and recognized. Multiple farmer’s markets,
.ocal food initiatives, and other activities help local agriculture continue to be valued. Preservation of
open lands and functional agriculture is a frequent comment on land use matters and agriculture uses a
large portion of the total land area of Gallatin Valley.
Bozeman citizens have planted a significant urban forest in the Bozeman municipal limits with over
27,000 public trees and a great number of trees on private property. Most native trees follow streams or
other water sources. The City Forestry Division is responsible for public trees. Development regulations
require trees in the public rights-of-way with new construction, in parking lots, and along watercourses.
This increases tree canopy, species variety, supports and increases wildlife habitat, and creates a more
pleasant and healthful environment for people.
Development to urban uses changes both the appearance and function of land. There are many public
resources, such as those linked above, which provide information on many aspects of the physical
environment. This information provides early identification of plants, animals, topography, and other
natural environment related issues that may need to be addressed through the development review
process. The scale and refinement of the data is rarely adequate to meet the site design needs in an
urban environment. For this reason, the development review process requires additional, more detailed,
information.
The City has adopted regulations to protect natural features such as wetlands or watercourses. These
regulations prioritize protection first and mitigation second. The regulations also recognize that humans
and larger animals can conflict to the detriment of both. For this reason, the city does not attempt to
preserve habitat within the city for larger animals like elk or bears. The 2025 Gallatin County Wildlife
and Transportation Assessment: Spatial Analysis evaluated wildlife mortality from vehicle collisions. It
documented vehicle related mortality along Montana Department of Transportation roadways (3,710
ungulates and 36 carnivores over 15 years) and identified methods of mitigation. Most of the study area
was outside of the Planning Area but still provides valuable information.
Water is a common feature in wildlife and human habitat. Bozeman has adopted aggressive water
conservation measures to reduce consumption. Attached housing such as apartment buildings consume
less water per home that detached homes. Water consumption per home in Bozeman is less than other
large Montana communities or rural development reliant on exempt wells. Development per Bozeman
standards and in city limits therefore reduces impact on water supply and reduces withdrawals from
natural sources. Bozeman has an active stormwater management program that ensures treatment
onsite, controls storm surges from runoff, and actively maintains city storm water infrastructure to reduce
pollutants and maintain a more natural water flow profile. The water reclamation facility treats sewage
to a very high standard before discharge reducing water pollution and is more effective at removing
pollutants than individual rural or suburban septic systems. Nutrient pollution in groundwater is an
increasing problem across the valley. The Environmental Health Services division of the Gallatin-City
County Health Department is responsible for review and issuance of septic permits in conjunction with
subdivision or individually. Their website provides many resources and information on the topic.
Development that meets standards has addressed the natural resources issue unless specific
information provided through the development process supports a different conclusion. Development
B-24 CiTY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNiTY PLAN, APPENDiCES
within the city reduces land consumption and encroachment into more appropriate habitat areas, lessens
water consumption, and reduces water pollution. Streets in Bozeman also have lower speeds and urban
development consumes fewer acres per person. Therefore, development within the city is protective of
wildlife habitat and species when completed consistent with adopted standards.
The city also acts to protect the natural environment by enabling greater walking or biking in place
of solely motor vehicle dependence. This is done through creation of safe and functional multi-modal
transportation networks, both through parks and trails and also associated with the street network. This
consistent with the City’s Climate Action Plan, Parks Recreation and Active Transportation Plan, and
Transportation Master Plan. A compact urban form is supportive of use of non-motorized transportation
when paired with effective travel networks. Bozeman has been actively developing functional networks
for many years and continues to work to close gaps, extend travel corridors, and coordinate different
travel modes.
Natural Hazards in the Bozeman area include earthquake, flooding, wildfire, and drought. Earthquake
faults are nearby and Montana is the fourth most seismically active state. Flooding is primarily a threat
along Bozeman and Bridger Creeks as they pass through the community and floodplains are mapped
for those watercourses. Setbacks required from watercourses provides space for water to flow and
reduces likelihood of damage. Development regulations may require floodplain analysis for mapped and
unmapped areas. Bozeman is not embedded in a natural forested area but is still at risk of grassland
or other wildfire. City standards for street connectivity, water supply, and fire hydrant placement enable
evacuation and fire fighting tools. Wooded areas do enter the community along watercourses like
Bozeman Creek can provide entry points for fire hazard from rural into urban areas.
The City participates in a variety of hazard mitigation activities. Development regulations limit
development on steep slopes, development within floodplains is prohibited, emergency service
access is assured with each development, and the building codes address the physical construction of
structures to ensure earthquake resistance.
The City partners with other local governments in preparing and implementing the Gallatin County
Hazard Mitigation Plan to address these and many other hazards. The Integrated Water Resources Plan
and other water planning documents address water supply, water conservation, and water management
to limit the impacts of drought.
The natural environment contributes to Bozeman’s economy as well. Agriculture both large and small
scale continues to support local jobs. Artisan foodstuffs and products are featured in local restaurants
serving tourists and locals alike and are available through multiple farmer’s markets. Agriculture
maintains open spaces that provide habitat and visual enjoyment. Skiing, hiking, fishing, and biking as
well as other activities are tourism draws and amenities that encourage people to locate themselves and
firms in Bozeman. Proximity to Yellowstone National Park and multiple ski areas has enabled growth in air
services that in turn supports other business development.
CiTY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNiTY PLAN, APPENDiCES B-25
SECTION 76-25-213 LAND USE AND FUTURE LAND USE MAP
Document Name Approval Process Date of
Approval
Resolution/
Ordinance
Hyperlink to
Document
Bozeman Community
Plan, Chapters 3 and 5
Adoption by Resolution as
part of the land use plan
Bozeman Annual Land
Use Inventory - 2024
No approval process
applies
On-going Link (external
PDF)
Maps Data is Incorporated as part
of Land Use Plan
Link (external
PDF)
Chapter 3 of the Bozeman Community Plan describes the future land use map (FLUM) and the
designations on it. The entire Planning Area has a designation. The FLUM is not tied to a specific
timeframe or projection of growth but represents a potential future condition to occur if land changes
from present use. The Planning Area boundary is not a limitation on municipal growth. Rather, it is
a practical area for evaluation of growth potential and needs considering physical and jurisdictional
limitations.
The FLUM indicates potential development options with multiple implementing zoning districts. This
approach allows for a “best fit” zoning district analysis based on the specifics of a property and wishes of
the owner. Municipal zoning does not apply until land is annexed and the land use plan likewise is only
advisory until land is annexed.
Future need for land is identified in the various issue plans and documents provided above. The
Planning Area is readily able to accommodate any of the population and employment forecasts from the
2025-2045 Bozeman Population and Housing Forecast. Discussion of the amount of land needed for
future housing is provided above under the Housing topic.
Bozeman publishes an annual land use inventory for the city. This data describes actual use on a site,
how much of each use is occurring within each zoning district, and the area of each type of zoning
district in the City. The report is by acres and does not count dwellings or square footage of non-
residential uses. The City has completed this work since 2000. The annual report includes the data for
the current year and nine prior years. A large map of the 2024 inventory is provided as Map 1. The data is
also available through the City’s Community Development website and the GIS Community Development
viewer.
The future land use map is focused on commercial nodes allowing for ready access to services and
employment as the community grows and new residential areas development. The node based plan
supports lower vehicle use, greater ability to walk or bike to services, and correspondingly lower costs
for transportation and lesser pollution. Map set 15 shows distances buffers from existing commercial
zoning and from proposed commercial areas. The placement of nodes allows reasonable service access
from nearly anywhere in the planning area. The distances of the buffers are based on walking and biking
generally accepted practical distances.
A small version of the future land use map is included in Chapter 3 of the Bozeman Community Plan. A
large format version is available through the City’s website and Map set 18. The area of different future
land use designations within the City and in the Planning Area overall are below.
B-26 CiTY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNiTY PLAN, APPENDiCES
Designation Name Acres in City Acres in Entire Planning Area
No City Services 522.4 4566.1
Traditional Core 136.3 136.3
Regional Commercial and Services 1027.1 1028.4
Industrial 1119.3 1200.3
Makers Space Mixed Use 59.2 333.8
Residential Mixed Use 541.3 982.7
Community Commercial Mixed Use 1452.4 2115.0
Public Institution 1630.7 3428.3
Parks and Open Lands 1507.6 2905.8
Urban Neighborhood 6116.8 28,644.8
Total 14,113 45,341.4
SECTION 76-25-214 AREA PLANS
Document Name Approval Process Date of
Approval
Resolution/
Ordinance
Hyperlink to
Document
Downtown Bozeman
Improvement Plan
Adoption by
Resolution
April 15, 2019 5005 Link (external
PDF)
Bozeman Creek
Neighborhood Plan
Adoption by
Resolution
April 18,
2005
3786 Link (external
PDF)
Bozeman Health Subarea
Plan
Adoption by
Resolution
October 8,
2024
5597 Link (External
PDF)
Midtown Action Plan 2017 Adoption by
Resolution
August 21,
2017
4781 Link (External
PDF)
The City has adopted several area plans over the years. These four are still consistent with the land use
plan and are continuing forward. Area plans are periodically updated as necessary to remain consistent
with the land use plan or are dropped from future jurisdiction wide plans.
Each plan went through an independent development and review process with its own public
engagement and decision. Each plan is available through the Community Development website.
SECTION 76-25-215 ISSUES PLANS
The city prepares many issue plans to assess current conditions, identify future needs, and determine
courses of action for facilities and services. Most of them predate passage of MLUPA and when updated
will follow the issue plan process as identified in MLUPA. See responses for Sections 76-25-206 to 76-
25-213 MCA and Chapter 1 of the Bozeman Community Plan for identification of individual plans and links
to them. All plans referenced are available through the City’s Laserfiche archive.
CiTY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNiTY PLAN, APPENDiCES B-27
SECTION 76-25-216 IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
Document Name Approval Process Date of
Approval
Resolution/
Ord
Hyperlink to
Document
Bozeman Community
Plan, Chapter 4
Adoption by Resolution
as part of the land use
plan
Bozeman Community Plan
Metrics Dashboard
Link (external
website)
Bozeman Community Plan
Annual Implementation
Report
Link (external
PDF)
Capital Improvement Plan
– Annually Updated
Adoption by Resolution
of Annual Capital
Improvement Plan
Dec 10, 2024
(most recent)
5662 Link (external
website)
Issue Plans Adopted independently
as described above.
B-28 CiTY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNiTY PLAN, APPENDiCES
Chapter 4 of the Bozeman Community Plan discusses implementation of the plan. Metrics to evaluate
progress for each Theme are identified and an online dashboard displays aggregated data on
implementation. No changes to the metrics adopted in 2020 are made by this update. Chapter 4 also
calls for an annual report on implementation progress. The report for fiscal year 2024-2025 is linked
above.
The 2020 edition of the land use plan identified 14 short term actions to advance the goals and
objectives of the plan. The City completed 10 of 14 recommended actions or will complete them with
adoption of the Unified Development Code update now in review.
This technical compliance update carried forward the remaining four short term actions and added a fifth
to complete correction of identified inconsistencies between the future land use map and the zoning
map. This new action item will be addressed with completion of the Unified Development Code update
scheduled for completion by the end of calendar year 2025.
Short term action item #3 is currently underway. A gap analysis has been completed and prioritization
and identification of funding is occurring. The remaining action items will be considered as part of the
overall prioritization of work process.
Other goals and objectives of the plan are carried out as daily work. For example, “Goal RC-3:
Collaborate with Gallatin County regarding annexation and development patterns adjacent to the City
to provide certainty for landowners and taxpayers.” This goal was advanced by City participation in the
County’s recent development of their future land use map and is advanced with individual applications
for annexation as the City shares application information and provides an opportunity to comment to
Gallatin County and Fire Districts presently servicing the site. Gallatin County encourages landowners
adjacent to the City and considering development to contact the City regarding annexation.
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.” This goal moves ahead as the City works with landowners to
understand the opportunities they have for development of property. The zoning standards enable
the construction of accessory dwellings, addition of additional residential structures, renovation of
existing buildings, or removal and redevelopment of sites. No area of the city is blocked from further
development. The City actively maintains its infrastructure including upgrading water and sewer mains
as part of the regular maintenance cycle to provide additional capacity in areas of existing development.
The CIP also helps identify timing for correction and removal of service impediments.
CiTY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNiTY PLAN, APPENDiCES C-1
HISTORY AND PHYSICAL SETTING
This Appendix includes the history of Bozeman and additional physiographic data that was not included
in the main body of the Community Plan.
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
Prior to the establishment of permanent settlements in southwestern Montana, a variety of nomadic
Native American bands frequented and utilized the region now known as the Gallatin Valley.
Archeological evidence documents that prehistoric peoples enjoyed the Valley’s natural resources
for more than 10,000 years. Later, members of the Bannock, Blackfeet, Crow, Flathead, Gros Ventres,
Shoshone, and several other historic tribes seasonally camped in the well-watered region en route to
and from the buffalo hunting grounds to the east of the Bridger Mountains.
Meriwether Lewis arrived at the Three Forks of the Missouri River on July 28, 1805. Lewis described
C
C-2 CiTY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNiTY PLAN, APPENDiCES
the Gallatin Valley as “a smooth extensive green meadow of fine
grass in its course meandering in several streams...and a distant
range of lofty mountains ran their snow clad tops above the
irregular and broken mountains which lie adjacent to this beautiful
spot.” Nearly one year later, William Clark’s expedition, with the
navigational assistance of Sacajawea, a Bannock/Shoshone Indian,
ascended the Gallatin River and observed: “several leading roads
which appear to a gap in the mountains,” which is now known as
Flathead Pass. At the recommendation of his native guide, Clark
traveled east through what later became known as Bozeman Pass,
eventually making his way to the Yellowstone River drainage and
beyond.
Thanks in large measure to the lavish descriptions of the Lewis
and Clark Expedition; others were soon attracted to southwestern
Montana. Fur trappers harvested in the region until the 1850s,
when local beaver populations had been substantially depleted.
The first permanent non-indigenous settlements in the vicinity,
however, were established following the discovery of gold in
Bannock, Virginia City, and Last Chance Gulch between 1862 and
1865. John Bozeman and others guided immigrant trains along
the Bozeman Trail, which entered the Gallatin Valley via Bozeman
Pass. Perceiving the economic potential of having a community
at the mouth of this important gateway, John Bozeman and two
friends – Daniel Rouse and William Beall – planned a town site
directly west of the opening.
Possessing exceptionally fertile and well-watered soil, as well
as geographic proximity to several nearby mining camps that
provided a ready market for goods and services, Bozeman,
Montana, became one of the earliest and most successful
agricultural communities in the Rocky Mountain West. Early
resident William Alderson described the community’s surroundings
as “one of the most beautiful and picturesque valleys the eye ever
beheld, abounding in springs of clear water, flowers and grass in
abundance.” In sharp contrast to many other more arid regions of
the West, this comparatively fruitful local environment served as a
powerful magnet for settlement and economic development. As
Alderson’s diary noted, for example, farmers came to the Bozeman
area “expecting to make money,” and most were not disappointed.
The draw of the Gallatin Valley was strong enough that by
September of 1864, The Montana Post reported that the area
was “being fast settled up with farmers, many of whom came to
Montana as a better class of miners and after...quitting their original
pursuits secured 160 acres of land on which they...go to work in
true farmer fashion.” Valley residents soon marketed potatoes,
Corps of Discovery arrives in Gallatin Valley
Gallatin City established
Fort Ellis established southeast of Bozeman
Northern Pacific Railroad comes to Bozeman/ City of Bozeman incorporated
College of Agricultural & Mechanical Arts established
First Sweet Pea Festival
Stock Market crash
Northwest Airlines makes first landing at Gallatin Field
Interstate highway comes to Bozeman
1805
1862
1867
1883
1893
1906
1929
1947
1966
Historical Perspective Appendix A: Background Information Possessing exceptionally fertile and well-watered soil, as well as geographic proximity to several nearby mining camps that provided a ready market for goods and services, Bozeman, Montana, became one of the earliest and most successful agricultural communities in the Rocky Mountain West. Early resident William Alderson described the community’s surroundings as “one of the most beautiful and picturesque valleys the eye ever beheld, abounding in springs of clear water, flowers and grass in abundance.” In sharp contrast to many other more arid regions of the West, this comparatively fruitful local environment served as a powerful magnet for settlement and economic development. As Alderson’s diary noted, for example, farmers came to the Bozeman area “expecting to make money,” and most were not disappointed. The draw of the Gallatin Valley was strong enough that by September of 1864, The Montana Post reported that the area was “being fast settled up with farmers, many of whom came to Montana as a better class of miners and after...quitting their original pursuits secured 160 acres of land on which they...go to work in true farmer fashion.” Valley residents soon marketed potatoes, beets, carrots, rutabagas, and parsnips in the mining camps they had formerly occupied. Soon, focus had expanded to include the cultivation of wheat, oats, and barley; and the roots of an extensive agricultural industry in
the region were planted. Thanks to the safety guaranteed by the nearby establishment of Fort Ellis in
August of 1867, the town of Bozeman grew quickly, becoming the county seat that same year.
Main Street in Bozeman, circa 1868
Following the prevailing economic stagnation of the 1870s, the Northern Pacific Railroad desperately
sought local markets and natural resources to help offset the huge costs of its transcontinental
expansion. Eventually, the Gallatin Valley’s established reputation as “the granary of Montana,” together
with its proximity to Bozeman Pass and the large coal reserves of the neighboring Trail Creek area,
attracted the attention of the railroad. On January 9, 1882, the Northern Pacific purchased a large tract
of land located northeast of Bozeman from Perry and William McAdow and began construction of a six-stall, masonry roundhouse to accommodate helper engines for pushing eastbound trains over Bozeman Pass–the highest point on the railroad. In a matter of months, Bozeman became the first town
on Montana’s Northern Pacific line.
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CiTY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNiTY PLAN, APPENDiCES C-3
beets, carrots, rutabagas, and parsnips in the mining camps they had formerly occupied. Soon, focus had
expanded to include the cultivation of wheat, oats, and barley; and the roots of an extensive agricultural
industry in the region were planted. Thanks to the safety guaranteed by the nearby establishment of Fort
Ellis in August of 1867, the town of Bozeman grew quickly, becoming the county seat that same year.
Following the prevailing economic stagnation of the 1870s, the Northern Pacific Railroad desperately
sought local markets and natural resources to help offset the huge costs of its transcontinental
expansion. Eventually, the Gallatin Valley’s established reputation as “the granary of Montana,” together
with its proximity to Bozeman Pass and the large coal reserves of the neighboring Trail Creek area,
attracted the attention of the railroad. On January 9, 1882, the Northern Pacific purchased a large tract
of land located northeast of Bozeman from Perry and William McAdow and began construction of a six-
stall, masonry roundhouse to accommodate helper engines for pushing eastbound trains over Bozeman
Pass–the highest point on the railroad. In a matter of months, Bozeman became the first town on
Montana’s Northern Pacific line.
Although Bozeman was unusual in that it did not owe its life to the railroad, the Northern Pacific
dramatically changed the Gallatin Valley, even prior to its arrival there. Until the coming of the railroad,
the Valley’s commerce with the rest of the nation was possible only by freighter – south to Corinne, Utah,
on the Union Pacific Railroad, or North to Fort Benton, Montana, on the Missouri River. Thus, following
confirmation that the railroad would traverse the Valley on its trek to the West Coast, local anticipation
reached a fevered pitch. Area farmers and ranchers, many of whom had become painfully aware of the
economic disadvantages of their geographic isolation from eastern population centers, perceived the
railroad as nothing less than the key to progress for the Bozeman area.
Almost immediately, local expectations were fulfilled as railroad optimism sparked a prolonged
redefinition of the region’s character, appearance, and quality of life. Confident that the railroad’s arrival
would spark a major building and settlement boom in Bozeman, Nelson Story and local partners Walter
Cooper and John Dickerson platted Park Addition, one of the largest subdivisions on Bozeman’s affluent
Main Street in Bozeman, circa 1868
C-4 CiTY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNiTY PLAN, APPENDiCES
southern side. The East Side (later Hawthorne) School at 114 North Rouse, the Masonic Lodge at 137 East
Main, the Lamme Building at 29 East Main, and the Spieth and Krug Brewery at 240-246 East Main were
constructed in 1883. The City of Bozeman was incorporated later that same year in celebration of the fact
that the region was no longer circumscribed by the limitations of geographic isolation. “We may now feel
that we are part of the great world’s business activities,” proclaimed Judge H.N. Maguire. And, indeed, to
many local residents the possibilities seemed endless.
As is the case in other communities, the advent of the Northern Pacific marks a watershed in the
developmental history of the Gallatin Valley. With the railroad’s assistance, Bozeman rapidly moved
toward economic and demographic stabilization. Population in the Bozeman area increased dramatically
from 867 in 1880 to approximately 3,000 in 1883. “Under the impetus of the near approach of the track
of the Northern Pacific road,” the Avant Courier reported, “Bozeman has doubled its population during
the past year.”
The arrival of the railroad also impacted the ethnic composition of the City’s population. Construction
of the railroad resulted in an influx of Chinese workers. In 1870 there were 4 Chinese-born residents of
Bozeman and by 1910 that number had swelled to 62. There were also a few African-American families
in Bozeman, many of which moved West during the Civil War. By the time of the 1910 Census there were
38 African Americans residing in Bozeman. During the late 1800s Native Americans sometimes camped
near the fledgling City. While they did not reside in the City, they did come to town for trade and supplies.
The establishment of Yellowstone National Park in 1872, combined with the completion of the railroad
line through Bozeman, was also an economic boon for Bozeman. Bozeman became the main point of
departure for park-bound visitors. The importance of Yellowstone National Park to the local economy
expanded even more with the use of private automobiles.
The ongoing transformation sparked by the railroad boom was truly remarkable. Fred M. Wilson,
traveling correspondent for the Helena Herald, reported that
“Bozeman has indeed made a proud record during the past twelve months. Her wonderful growth,
resulting from the advent of the iron horse…has exceeded the anticipations of the most sanguine.
Business houses have nearly doubled in number, large and handsome houses now cover tracts of land
which a few years ago were beyond the limits of town, the streets are thronged with a busy, hungry
crowd, and one who has been absent but a season finds difficulty in recognizing the staid and sober
town of the past in the bustling, ambitious city of the present.”
While the effects of the railroad boom quickly subsided and local population levels actually declined in
the mid-1880s, Montana’s attainment of statehood in 1889 served as the impetus for yet another pivotal
surge in local development. In an effort to impress Montana voters enough to choose Bozeman as the
site of the state capital in an 1892 special election, area promoters set out to redefine their community.
Local residents erected several prominent public and private buildings in the years immediately
following the declaration of statehood, including the impressive Bozeman City Hall and Opera House
(1890), the gothic-styled Saint James Episcopal Church (1890-91) at 9 West Olive Street, the Victorian
Commercial Bozeman Hotel (1891-92) at 307-21 East Main Street, and the gothic City High School
building (c. 1892) which once occupied the present site of the Emerson Cultural Center at 111 South
Grand Avenue. Several notable local residences, such as the Julia Martin House (1892) at 419 South
Grand Avenue, were also constructed in this period.
In addition to these ambitious projects, Bozeman also witnessed other significant steps toward
sophistication between 1889 and 1892. Community boundaries were officially extended into surrounding
Historical Perspective Appendix A: Background Information While the effects of the railroad boom quickly subsided and local population levels actually declined in the mid-1880s, Montana’s attainment of statehood in 1889 served as the impetus for yet another pivotal surge in local development. In an effort to impress Montana voters enough to choose Bozeman as the site of the state capital in an 1892 special election, area promoters set out to redefine their community. Local residents erected several prominent public and private buildings in the years immediately following the declaration of statehood, including the impressive Bozeman City Hall and Opera House (1890), the gothic-styled Saint James Episcopal Church (1890-91) at 9 West Olive Street, the Victorian Commercial Bozeman Hotel (1891-92) at 307-21 East Main Street, and the gothic City High School building (c. 1892) which once occupied the present site of the Emerson Cultural Center at 111 South Grand Avenue. Several notable local residences, such as the Julia Martin House (1892) at 419 South Grand Avenue, were also constructed in this period. In addition to these ambitious projects, Bozeman also witnessed other significant steps toward sophistication between 1889 and 1892. Community boundaries were officially extended into surrounding farmlands in an effort to make the City look larger on paper than it was in actuality and, therefore, more impressive to Montana’s voters. In a further effort to make Bozeman appear ready for the capital designation, the “Capitol Hill Addition” was platted in 1890, and South Eighth Avenue was laid out as a boulevard leading up to the intended site of the capitol. Electric lights were installed on the City’s main thoroughfares in 1891, and an extensive local streetcar system was established the following year. The Northern Pacific Railroad also constructed a brick passenger depot at 829 Front Street in 1892.
By September of 1892 – less than two months before the special election to settle the capital question – a regional promotional magazine, The Rockies, boasted that the Gallatin Valley possessed the economic stability of “the largest and most productive agricultural region in the entire northwest.” Bozeman, in
particular, was praised as having “every convenience found in eastern cities of ten times its population.”
Main Street in Bozeman, circa 1893
Despite this and other bold efforts at self-promotion, when the ballots were counted in 1892, Bozeman
took fourth place with 7,636 votes, behind Butte, Anaconda, and Helena with 7,757, 10,147, and 14,032
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CiTY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNiTY PLAN, APPENDiCES C-5
farmlands in an effort to make the City look larger on paper than it was in actuality and, therefore,
more impressive to Montana’s voters. In a further effort to make Bozeman appear ready for the capital
designation, the “Capitol Hill Addition” was platted in 1890, and South Eighth Avenue was laid out as a
boulevard leading up to the intended site of the capitol. Electric lights were installed on the City’s main
thoroughfares in 1891, and an extensive local streetcar system was established the following year. The
Northern Pacific Railroad also constructed a brick passenger depot at 829 Front Street in 1892.
By September of 1892 – less than two months before the special election to settle the capital question –
a regional promotional magazine, The Rockies, boasted that the Gallatin Valley possessed the economic
stability of “the largest and most productive agricultural region in the entire northwest.” Bozeman, in
particular, was praised as having “every convenience found in eastern cities of ten times its population.”
Despite this and other bold efforts at self-promotion, when the ballots were counted in 1892, Bozeman
took fourth place with 7,636 votes, behind Butte, Anaconda, and Helena with 7,757, 10,147, and 14,032
votes respectively. Although a great deal of time and effort went into Bozeman’s bid for the capital,
local residents were not discouraged following their defeat. The Bozeman Weekly Chronicle positively
asserted that “the capital contest has been the means of attracting a great deal of favorable attention to
Bozeman and the money spent is by no means wasted.”
The paper’s emphatic outlook was soon justified. Within a year, Helena got around to allocating other
state institutions, among which were the units of the higher education system. Due no doubt in part to
Bozeman’s impressive growth during its bid for the capital, the College of Agriculture and Mechanic
Arts was located in Bozeman on February 16, 1893 – the first of the units to be established. The school
opened in April of that year and classes were held in the local skating rink, where Holy Rosary Church is
now located. When the legislature finally appropriated the necessary funds, Montana or “Old Main” Hall
was built in 1896 and the foundation of what is now Montana State University was laid.
The advent of dry land farming techniques, which were aggressively promoted by the new agricultural
Main Street in Bozeman, circa 1893
Appendix A: Background Information Historical Perspective votes respectively. Although a great deal of time and effort went into Bozeman’s bid for the capital, local residents were not discouraged following their defeat. The Bozeman Weekly Chronicle positively asserted that “the capital contest has been the means of attracting a great deal of favorable attention to Bozeman and the money spent is by no means wasted.” The paper’s emphatic outlook was soon justified. Within a year, Helena got around to allocating other state institutions, among which were the units of the higher education system. Due no doubt in part to Bozeman’s impressive growth during its bid for the capital, the College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts was located in Bozeman on February 16, 1893 – the first of the units to be established. The school opened in April of that year and classes were held in the local skating rink, where Holy Rosary Church is now located. When the legislature finally appropriated the necessary funds, Montana or “Old Main” Hall was built in 1896 and the foundation of what is now Montana State University was laid. The advent of dry land farming techniques, which were aggressively promoted by the new agricultural college, coupled with an ongoing homestead boom, dramatically increased Bozeman’s population from 3,419 in 1900 to 5,107 in 1910. These demographic changes, in turn, reaffirmed Bozeman’s advantageous position as a regional supply center, inspiring numerous changes in the architectural character of the community. As early as 1907, a surplus of hard milling wheat was, for the first time,
available for shipment to markets outside of Montana. This reality prompted the Chicago, Milwaukee
and Saint Paul Railroad to gain access to Bozeman in 1911–a development that further bolstered the
local agricultural economy.
Bird’s eye view of Bozeman, circa 1900
The volume of agricultural and railroad activity in the Valley continued to intensify during the 1913
1929 Progressive era thanks in large measure to the growth of Montana State College’s Agricultural
Experiment Station–which encouraged the application of “industrial principles to agricultural
expansion.” In advocating the scientific management of farming, the Agriculture Experiment Station
also promoted crop diversification; and, following 1911 soil tests, 17,000 acres of peas were planted in
the Valley. The obvious success of the experiment, coupled with the fact that legume cultivation was a
natural soil enricher and pea vines could be used as animal fodder, stimulated the development of four
local seed pea companies. The incredible success of Bozeman’s seed pea industry stimulated the
incorporation of the Bozeman Canning Company on North Rouse Avenue. Soon the Gallatin Valley
was producing seventyfive percent of the seed peas raised in the United States and Bozeman was
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C-6 CiTY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNiTY PLAN, APPENDiCES
college, coupled with an ongoing homestead boom, dramatically increased Bozeman’s population from
3,419 in 1900 to 5,107 in 1910. These demographic changes, in turn, reaffirmed Bozeman’s advantageous
position as a regional supply center, inspiring numerous changes in the architectural character of the
community. As early as 1907, a surplus of hard milling wheat was, for the first time, available for shipment
to markets outside of Montana. This reality prompted the Chicago, Milwaukee and Saint Paul Railroad to
gain access to Bozeman in 1911–a development that further bolstered the local agricultural economy.
The volume of agricultural and railroad activity in the Valley continued to intensify during the 1913
-1929 Progressive era thanks in large measure to the growth of Montana State College’s Agricultural
Experiment Station–which encouraged the application of “industrial principles to agricultural expansion.”
In advocating the scientific management of farming, the Agriculture Experiment Station also promoted
crop diversification; and, following 1911 soil tests, 17,000 acres of peas were planted in the Valley. The
obvious success of the experiment, coupled with the fact that legume cultivation was a natural soil
enricher and pea vines could be used as animal fodder, stimulated the development of four local seed
pea companies. The incredible success of Bozeman’s seed pea industry stimulated the incorporation
of the Bozeman Canning Company on North Rouse Avenue. Soon the Gallatin Valley was producing
seventy-five percent of the seed peas raised in the United States and Bozeman was referred to as
the “Sweet Pea Capital of the Nation.” The industry thrived in the Gallatin Valley until the mid-1950s,
employing hundreds of local residents, particularly women.
Drought conditions prevailed throughout the 1920s, but Gallatin County fared relatively well in
comparison to other counties in eastern Montana. The community also reaped the rewards of an active
tourist economy during the era as thousands of pleasure seekers flooded through area train stations.
With the advent of the automobile, Bozeman’s role as a gateway to Yellowstone National Park became
even more pronounced; and, for the first time, recreational tourism began to rival agriculture as a major
industry in the area.
Due largely to the established relationship between agricultural pursuits and the Valley’s two
Bird’s eye view of Bozeman, circa 1900
CiTY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNiTY PLAN, APPENDiCES C-7
transcontinental railroads, the
Bozeman area survived the Great
Depression better than most, and
continued its historic precedent of
economic expansion throughout
its 1930-1950 Nationalization
Phase of Development. Like other
places across the nation, Bozeman
faced many challenges following
the Stock Market Crash of 1929;
but, for the most part, the town of
nearly 7,000 fared comparatively
well. Local newspaper headlines
on January 1, 1930 optimistically
proclaimed: “All signs point toward
continuance of prosperity…Nothing in the present situation that is
menacing or pessimistic…Agriculture in better condition than ever.”
Several factors contributed to this positive outlook. As in years past, an abundance of water in the region
caused agriculture in the Gallatin Valley to flourish at a time when most farmers and ranchers were
ravaged by natural disasters and financial ruin. Drought-stricken cattle from other regions were brought
into the Bozeman area. By 1932, local dairy farmers were constructing a $25,000 cooperative creamery
that was expected to double the farm population of the County. The success of the local farm economy
is further evidenced by the development of the Gallatin Valley Auction Yards and Vollmer slaughterhouse
complex in the mid-1930s.
When Montana’s economy was at its lowest point, Bozeman also witnessed a new relationship with the
federal government, which further bolstered the local economy. While drought conditions continued
to hinder agricultural pursuits and forced many Montana counties to seek federal assistance during
the Depression years, many area farmers and related businesses, such as the Montana Flour Mills
Company, profited by providing flour and cereal products for Roosevelt’s New Deal assistance programs.
Flourishing agribusiness, coupled with the presence of MSC’s Agricultural Extension Service, made
Bozeman the principle actor in Montana’s New Deal farm policy activity and underscored Bozeman’s role
as the de facto capital of rural Montana.
Thanks in large measure to its growing role in New Deal Farm policy, as well as the fact that many
unemployed students were flocking to Bozeman, Montana State College expanded dramatically during
the period, having obvious ripple effects on the town and its built environment. In 1932, MSC had 1,056
students, many of whom were attracted to Bozeman because they could not find jobs. By 1939, student
population had jumped nearly sixty percent to 1,801 students. This dramatic increase helped to further
bolster Bozeman during the worst years of the Great Depression and generated increasing opportunities
for local housing and business development.
While Bozeman’s population actually decreased during the era of the Great Depression, dropping from
8,855 in 1930 to 8,665 in 1940, construction activity in the City continued to grow. In 1932, for example,
the total value of local building permits was a less than impressive $98,883. By 1940, the total building
permit valuation had grown more than four times to $428,780, a solid indication that local growth and
development accelerated toward the end of the decade.
Sweet Pea Festival Parade, circa 1930s
Appendix A: Background Information Historical Perspective As expected, Bozeman’s economy continued to expand, especially after the bombing of Pearl Harbor in December of 1941. Mechanisms were already in place to provide the nation’s armed forces with locally produced agricultural commodities, such as flour, wool, and meat. Major local employers, such as Montana Flour Mills and the Bozeman Canning Company, operated at maximum capacity during the era.
Throughout WWII, and for more than a century after, the Bozeman Armory Building was home to Charlie Company and the 163rd Infantry Regiment of the Montana National Guard. This Guard unit
drew members from all over the state. The Armory Building was dedicated just 4 months after the
bombing of Pearl Harbor.
Main Street in Bozeman, circa 1940
The end of the war and the return of veterans brought ever-increasing activity to Bozeman. The effects
of the 1944 G.I. Bill of Rights stimulated further growth at the college and in the housing industry.
Local responses to shortages in housing supply prompted the development of wood product industries such as the Idaho Pole plant, which was established in 1946, and the pulpwood industry, started at Gallatin Gateway in 1947. Together these and other developments helped ensure the continuing
expansion of Bozeman and its institution of higher learning, Montana State College.
In the years immediately following World War II, the major factors influencing Bozeman’s earlier
development continued to exert an important influence on Bozeman’s character and appearance. The
agricultural heritage that had shaped daily life in the Gallatin Valley from day one continued to play a major role, as evidenced by the establishment of the Winter Fair in 1946. Likewise, the ever-growing Montana State College remained the largest local employer and continued to ensure the economic
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C-8 CiTY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNiTY PLAN, APPENDiCES
As expected, Bozeman’s economy continued to expand, especially after the bombing of Pearl Harbor
in December of 1941. Mechanisms were already in place to provide the nation’s armed forces with
locally produced agricultural commodities, such as flour, wool, and meat. Major local employers, such as
Montana Flour Mills and the Bozeman Canning Company, operated at maximum capacity during the era.
Throughout WWII, and for more than a century after, the Bozeman Armory Building was home to
Charlie Company and the 163rd Infantry Regiment of the Montana National Guard. This Guard unit drew
members from all over the state. The Armory Building was dedicated just 4 months after the bombing of
Pearl Harbor. The building has since been renovated, expanded, and converted into a hotel and is now
the tallest building in downtown.
The end of the war and the return of veterans brought ever-increasing activity to Bozeman. The effects
of the 1944 G.I. Bill of Rights stimulated further growth at the college and in the housing industry. Local
responses to shortages in housing supply prompted the development of wood product industries such
as the Idaho Pole plant, which was established in 1946, and the pulpwood industry, started at Gallatin
Gateway in 1947. Together these and other developments helped ensure the continuing expansion of
Bozeman and its institution of higher learning, Montana State College.
In the years immediately following World War II, the major factors influencing Bozeman’s earlier
development continued to exert an important influence on Bozeman’s character and appearance. The
agricultural heritage that had shaped daily life in the Gallatin Valley from day one continued to play a
major role, as evidenced by the establishment of the Winter Fair in 1946. Likewise, the ever-growing
Main Street in Bozeman, circa 1940
Montana State College remained the largest local employer and continued to ensure the economic
vitality of the community. But even as these historic forces continued to shape the growth of the area, a
succession of new technological and transportation-related developments further linked Bozeman with
the outside world and profoundly altered local life in the coming decades.
Radio, television, and Hollywood soon wedded the Gallatin Valley with the broader culture of the nation.
As music and other mass-produced popular amusements were instantly made available to area residents
for the first time, local values and aspirations changed. More than ever, Bozeman youth embraced the
possibility of leaving the Gallatin Valley for more sophisticated pastures.
Meanwhile, others discovered the Bozeman area. Northwest Airlines made its first landing at Gallatin
Field on June 22, 1947, and for the first time, commercial plane service conveniently connected the
Gallatin Valley with the rest of the world. Like the railroads, airlines further encouraged tourism and the
more recent phenomenon of living in Bozeman and working elsewhere.
In 1966 the interstate highway was completed through the Bozeman area. Prior to this time, all east-
west traffic coming through the area traveled down Main Street. With the completion of the interstate,
however, Main Street was bypassed–a transition which had dramatic economic impacts for Downtown
Bozeman and paved the way for modern day strip development on Bozeman’s periphery.
Together with already existing transportation systems, the interstate and airlines triggered Bozeman’s
emergence as a nationally recognized recreational mecca. Yellowstone Park and dude ranch tourism
flourished in the summer months; and with the establishment of Bridger Bowl (1955) and later Big Sky
(1973), a year-round tourism industry was established.
With growing frequency, the fertile farmland of the Gallatin Valley was subdivided for residential
development to accommodate a burgeoning local population. Between 1960 and 1970, Bozeman’s City
limits almost doubled in area, from 2,640 acres to more than 5,000. Many subdivision proposals were
brought before the Bozeman City Commission, which in turn increased from three to five members in
1970 to handle the heavier workload. That year, Bozeman’s first City-County planner was hired.
Despite brief declines, population in the Bozeman area increased during the last thirty years. From 1971
to 1975, the number of Bozeman residents increased four to five percent. Even more pronounced growth
was witnessed in the area immediately adjacent to the City limits. Within a four-and-a-half mile radius
from the City limits, population jumped eighteen percent during the period, with four thousand acres
of farmland turned into housing tracts. Between 1980 and 1990, Gallatin County’s population increased
another 17.7 percent to 50,463. During the next five years, the County’s population grew again to 59,406,
with an average annual increase of 3.4 percent, the highest increase in Montana. Between 1980 and
1990, Bozeman’s population grew a healthy 4.7 percent.
During the early 1980s, as Bozeman prepared for its centennial as an incorporated City, efforts were
undertaken to survey the town’s historic and architectural resources. Under the direction of paid and
volunteer professionals, more than eighty local residents documented roughly 4,000 properties in
Bozeman’s historic core. Since that time, nine historic districts containing more than eight hundred
buildings, as well as an additional forty individual landmarks, have been listed on the National Register of
Historic Places.
Under these development pressures, farming in the Bozeman area has steadily declined. Local
agribusiness has been increasingly supplanted by new economic stimuli – especially recreational
tourism and real estate development. In 1950, 1,129 farms and ranches dotted the Gallatin Valley. By 1992
CiTY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNiTY PLAN, APPENDiCES C-9
Appendix A: Background Information Historical Perspective number had dropped to 798. Between 1978 and 1992 alone, Gallatin County saw a 21.3 percent
decrease in acreage devoted to farmland, according to the United States Census of Agriculture. In the
five-year period between April of 1993 and April of 1998, an estimated 9,230 acres were developed in
the Gallatin Valley and outside the City limits of Bozeman.
North 7th Avenue, circa 1970
The start of the ongoing boom in Bozeman’s growth and development roughly coincides with the making of Robert Redford’s A River Runs through It in 1992. The movie’s imagery and story line had a tremendous impact in popularizing western Montana as “The Last Best Place” and, likewise, affiliated
the region with a simpler, recreation-oriented quality of life, which now epitomizes the local mindset.
The movie also promoted the rapid expansion of the region’s fly-fishing industry, which further
advanced the local tourist economy.
With the advent of the Internet, fax machines, and other high-tech means of communication, Bozeman
has attracted increasing numbers of residents who live in the Gallatin Valley but work elsewhere. Studies during the 1990s confirmed that, despite unparalleled population and economic growth in the area, more than forty percent of local residents were employed elsewhere. Telecommuters, retirees, and the
independently wealthy were settling in the Gallatin Valley, creating increased demands for local services
and lower-paying service industry jobs. Thus, despite an apparently booming local economy, Gallatin
County residents averaged $17,032 in annual wages during the 1990s and ranked thirty-third among
Montana’s fifty-six counties in per capita income. Due to the City’s continued economic expansion, the
annual average wage in the City had increased to $28,901 in 2005, and ranked eleventh among
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C-10 CiTY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNiTY PLAN, APPENDiCES
that number had dropped to 798. Between 1978 and 1992 alone, Gallatin County saw a 21.3 percent
decrease in acreage devoted to farmland, according to the United States Census of Agriculture. In the
five-year period between April of 1993 and April of 1998, an estimated 9,230 acres were developed in
the Gallatin Valley and outside the City limits of Bozeman.
The start of the ongoing boom in Bozeman’s growth and development roughly coincides with the
making of Robert Redford’s A River Runs through It in 1992. The movie’s imagery and story line had a
tremendous impact in popularizing western Montana as “The Last Best Place” and, likewise, affiliated
the region with a simpler, recreation-oriented quality of life, which now epitomizes the local mindset. The
movie also promoted the rapid expansion of the region’s fly-fishing industry, which further advanced the
local tourist economy.
With the advent of the Internet, fax machines, and other high-tech means of communication, Bozeman
attracted increasing numbers of residents who live in the Gallatin Valley but work elsewhere.
Studies during the 1990s confirmed that, despite unparalleled population and economic growth in the
area, more than forty percent of local residents were employed elsewhere. Telecommuters, retirees,
and the independently wealthy were settling in the Gallatin Valley, creating increased demands for local
services and lower-paying service industry jobs. Thus, despite an apparently booming local economy,
Gallatin County residents averaged $17,032 in annual wages during the 1990s and ranked thirty-
third among Montana’s fifty-six counties in per capita income. Due to the City’s continued economic
expansion, the annual average wage in the City had increased to $28,901 in 2005 and ranked eleventh
North 7th Avenue, circa 1970
CiTY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNiTY PLAN, APPENDiCES C-11
among Montana’s counties in annual average wage earned per capita. The larger concern now is
the rapid increase in the cost of living – and specifically the cost of housing – in the City relevant to
increases in wages and per capita income. Recent data from the US Census Bureau shows that median
household income is approximately $46,000 and the median home price was $398,000 as of August
2017. The EPS report prepared for the 2020 edition of the plan noted that, a household needs to earn at
least $68,400 annually to afford a home in Bozeman at the 30 percent of income affordability standard.
The 2024Q2 Market Report finds the median prices of a home is now up to $784,500, a very large
increase. Wages have seen a strong increase as well with Bozeman now with the highest median
household income of comparable Montana cities, but escalating cost of housing for both rent and
purchase has been a defining feature for Bozeman in the past five years. Today, a household would need
to earn 208 percent of the Area Median Income to afford the current median home price.
As the 2018 Economic and Planning Systems, Inc. (EPS) Report stated, “Bozeman has a level of economic
diversity and strength that exceeds many other small western cities, especially those that are not part of
a larger metropolitan region.”
This rapid pace of economic development has continued. Before the Covid downturn in 2020 the growth
in employment in the County was more than twice that of either Montana or the U.S. as a whole. In the
years beyond that dip its growth has been even faster according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Gallatin County has accounted for 30% of all job creation in the state between 2018-2023.
Main Street, 2019
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A key component of Bozeman’s healthy local economy has been the establishment of many high-tech
businesses in the Gallatin Valley.
Providing generally higher wages, these clean industries are widely regarded as examples of desirable
economic development that is in many ways compatible with the much-cherished natural amenities that
southwest Montana offers to its residents and visitors. The local economy has also been fueled in recent
years by the construction industry and businesses that support that industry such as building supplies,
banking and financial services, and landscaping material suppliers and installers.
The 2018 EPS report found that in-migration, or those moving from other areas made up a significant part
of the City and County’s population increase. Job growth increased as well, but according to EPS, nearly
half of all new jobs created from 2010 through 2016 paid less than $16.00 per hour ($34,000 per year). In
an already competitive and high-cost housing market, low-paying job growth increases the demand for
more affordable and attainable housing development in the community.
The rate of in-migration jumped with the onset of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. This global event had
significant local impacts with schools and businesses switching to remote classes and work, interruptions
in the supply chain causing shortages of various items, loss of jobs, and most importantly loss of life. In
the first year of the pandemic, 55 residents died in Gallatin County
Another consequence was a rapid increase in people seeking to relocate to Bozeman and other areas
seen as less hazardous. Housing prices, already high compared to wages, jumped 17.4% in 2020
and 29.6% in 2021.These changes were supported by the ability for people to work remotely due to
increased access to high-speed internet connectivity. If you were working outside of the office you could
do so just as well in Bozeman as elsewhere. Although remote work has decreased recently it is still at
15% in Bozeman, a large portion of the workforce.
The surge in housing demand has also stimulated significant amounts of new home construction. The
City’s building permit records show 7,140 homes having been issued building permits between January 1,
2021 and July 1, 2025.
CiTY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNiTY PLAN, APPENDiCES C-13
The community continues to be interested in high quality development that protects and reflects
Bozeman’s unique character. Bozeman possesses many of the qualities people seek in the communities
where they live and work.
These include: clean air, good schools, access to recreational activities, low crime, an attractive
community, and increasing economy. These amenities will continue to attract people to our community.
The challenge is accommodating growth and change while maintaining the very qualities that brought
people to Bozeman.
PHYSIOGRAPHY
GEOLOGY AND STRUCTURE
The Gallatin Valley is near the southern border of the northern Rocky Mountains physiographic province
and is part of the Three Forks structural basin. This structural basin is one of the high
intermountain basins that are characteristic of this province.
The Three Forks structural basin was probably formed in pre-Oligocene time. In the Oligocene
and Miocene time, there was either a continuation of down-faulting along one or more of the basic
boundaries or a down warping of the basin. During the formation of the basin, through-drainage
was interrupted and many hundreds of feet of sediments, derived from the adjoining highlands and from
falling volcanic ash, were deposited under lacustrine and terrestrial conditions. These Tertiary strata
constitute most of the valley fill.
Resumption of through-drainage in late Tertiary time resulted in extensive erosion of these materials. A
mantle of alluvium was deposited in much of the basin during Quaternary time.
The Bridger Range, a high linear mountain range that bounds the Gallatin Valley on the east, extends
from Bridger Creek to the head of Dry Creek. The mountains are composed of rocks ranging in age from
Precambrian to Cretaceous. The Paleozoic and Mesozoic rocks strike north- northwest, parallel to the
axis of the range.
They dip steeply to the east and in places are overturned to the east. Several high- angle thrust faults
transect the Bridger Range. Most of them have an eastward trend. Normal faulting along the west side of
the Bridger Range is believed to have elevated the range with respect to the valley.
Available subsurface information indicates that a fault system exists along the front of both the Bridger
and Gallatin Ranges. The mountains of
the Gallatin Range are composed of Precambrian gneiss and some infaulted blocks of Paleozoic and
Mesozoic rocks. The rocks are tightly folded and severely crumpled in places; yet, a general east-west
trend is recognizable. The Gallatin River Canyon separates the Madison Range on the west from the
Gallatin Range on the east. Structurally, however, the two ranges are segments of the same mountain
unit. This unit bonds the Gallatin Valley on the south.
The Tertiary strata in the Gallatin Valley form a homocline that dips from one to five degrees in a general
direction of the Bridger Range.
HYDROLOGY
Bozeman and Gallatin County are crossed with numerous creeks and irrigation conveyances. Most of
the creeks flow from the southeast to northwest to the Gallatin River. Major creeks and rivers within the
C-14 CiTY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNiTY PLAN, APPENDiCES
planning area include:
• East Gallatin River, in the northeastern portion of the City and planning area;
• Bozeman (Sourdough) Creek, flowing south to north through the City and joining with Rocky Creek to
form the East Gallatin River. Bozeman Creek has been channelized and rerouted into a storm pipe as
it flows through the center of town;
• Nash Spring Creek, Matthew Bird, and Figgins Creeks in the southern portion of the City of Bozeman;
• Hyalite Creek, southwest of the City;
• Bridger Creek, flowing west from Bridger Canyon, into the East Gallatin River;
• Baxter Creek and Aajker Creek, flowing south to north, through the western part of the City; and
• East and West Catron Creeks, flowing south to north, through the middle of the City.
Groundwater is another abundant resource in the Gallatin Valley. Generally, groundwater is near the
surface, and flows from south to north to the East Gallatin River. Locally high water tables of less than
ten feet below the surface are prevalent throughout the valley. Groundwater aquifers are recharged
through many sources. Recharge is received from infiltration from the many rivers, streams, and irrigation
facilities. In addition, faults located along the mountain fronts aid in recharge by distributing the rain and
snow runoff along their corridors.
The future quality and quantity of groundwater is uncertain. Changes in agricultural irrigation patterns in
the Gallatin Valley reduce recharge, rural development, prolonged drought, and increases in residential
and landscaping irrigation will all impact groundwater resources.
The quality of groundwater resources may also be in jeopardy due to the proliferation of on-site septic
systems.
WEATHER AND CLIMATE
The weather and climate of the Bozeman area is a significant factor in its character. Regular snowfalls
support multiple ski area which many locals and tourists enjoy and icy roads which are not enjoyed. The
melting snow feeds streams supporting multiple well known fishing locations that draw people from
Table A-1: Average Temperatures in Fahrenheit Scale by Month – 1892 through 2016
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Annual
Maximum Temperature 31.7 35.5 42.7 53.9 63.0 71.6 81.4 80.3 69.4 57.6 42.2 33.6 55.2
Minimum Temperature 12.0 15.3 21.4 30.4 38.4 45.2 51.1 49.5 41.2 32.9 22.2 14.5 31.2
Source: Montana State University Station, Montana Climate Summaries, Western Regional Climate Center.
Table A-2: Average Precipitation in inches by Month
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Annual
Total Precipitation 1892-2016 0.87 0.73 1.34 1.89 2.89 2.91 1.35 1.24 1.70 1.54 1.12 0.88 18.48
Total Snowfall 1948-2016 12.6 10.2 15.7 13.1 4.0 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.8 5.8 11.6 11.9 86.0
Snow Depth 1931-2016 5 5 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 3 2
Source: Montana State University Station, Montana Climate Summaries, Western Regional Climate Center.
CiTY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNiTY PLAN, APPENDiCES C-15
around the world and irrigation flows to support agriculture. Many popular hiking areas are near streams.
The dry late summers are often marked by wildfires and smoke migration from other areas often turns
the summer and fall skies brown
Bozeman is located at an elevation of 4,793 feet above sea level. The average growing season is 107
days.
The MSU weather station recorded that 23.75 inches of precipitation fell during 2018 which was 5.08
inches above average
SAND AND GRAVEL RESOURCES
Bozeman rests on an alluvial plain. As a consequence, sand and gravel are widely present within the
planning area. Many areas are not available for extraction due to other uses covering the surface or
the presence of significant buried infrastructure. Relocating such uses or infrastructure would not be
financially feasible.
The Montana Department of Environmental Quality reviews and issues permits for commercial sand
and gravel mining. Removal of gravel in order to create ponds or incidental to other activities does
not require a DEQ permit or review. Removal of sand and gravel can have substantial impacts to
groundwater, air quality, adjacent owners, public streets, and other interests.
Establishment of new or expanded extraction operations should be carefully reviewed and adequate
mitigation provided for identified negative impacts. There are no commercial gravel mines within the
planning area but many local ponds in newly developing areas were created by extracting gravel to
develop the subdivision.
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CiTY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNiTY PLAN, APPENDiCES D1
D
GLOSSARY
These terms are defined to help the reader understand what the terms mean when used in this plan.
If terms are not defined here they may be defined in an adopted topic plan. If not, they have standard
dictionary meanings.
Bozeman Planning Area. The area within which the City plans. Areas outside the city limits are only
advisory. See Figure 3-1. For the most recent version see the City’s website.
Compatible Development. The use of land and the construction and use of structures which is in
harmony with adjoining development, existing neighborhoods, and the goals and objectives of this
plan. Elements of compatible development include, but are not limited to: variety of architectural design;
rhythm; scale; intensity; materials; building siting; lot and building size; hours of operation; and integration
with existing community systems including water and sewer services, natural elements in the area,
motorized and non-motorized transportation, and open spaces and parks. Compatible development
D2 CiTY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNiTY PLAN, APPENDiCES
does not require uniformity or monotony of architectural or site design.
Commercial Center. A mix of commercial land uses typically serving more than one residential
neighborhood, usually a subarea of the city with services and retail goods. This term also includes small
commercial areas providing limited retail goods and services, such as grocery stores and dry cleaners for
nearby residential customers.
Compatible Land Use. A land use which may by virtue of the characteristics of its discernible outward
effects, exist in harmony with an adjoining land use of differing character. Effects often measured to
determine compatibility include, but are not limited to, noise, odor, light, and the presence of physical
hazards such as combustible or explosive materials.
Complete Street. Complete streets are streets designed and operated to enable safe use and support
mobility for all users. Those include people of all ages and abilities, regardless of whether they are
traveling as drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, or public transportation riders.
Connectivity. The degree to which roads and paths are connected and allow for direct travel between
destinations.
Density. For residential areas, the number of homes per net acre of land. For non-residential areas, by
floor area ratio: the number of square feet of building area per net acre of land.
Downtown. The area subject to the Downtown Bozeman Improvement Plan bound by the B-3 zoning
district which generally extends to Broadway Avenue, Lamme Street, 5th Avenue, and Olive Street.
Downtown is mixed-use district but primarily commercial in function and character, Downtown, and
particularly Main Street, is distinguished by its historic architecture but also includes notable recent
development especially in the areas outside of the historic core.
Goal. A statement of general purpose or intent relating to a defined topic. A goal generally seeks an
improvement in the status of a subject under the heading of a theme.
Growth. An increase in Bozeman’s population and/or area. The increase may be the result of natural
population growth through births exceeding deaths, in-migration, or annexation.
Growth Rate. A measure over time of the increase or decrease in City population compared to the City’s
population at a specified date. Growth rates are usually expressed as a percentage and applied to time
increments of one, five, or ten years.
Health. A state of physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or
infirmity. Health is a resource for everyday life, not the objective of living. Health is a positive concept
emphasizing social and personal resources, as well as physical capacities.
Human Scale. The proportional relationship of a particular building, structure, or streetscape element to
the human form and function. Human scale does not prohibit multistory structures.
Infill. The development or redevelopment of vacant, abandoned, or under-utilized properties within or
wholly surrounded by the City, and where water, sewer, streets, and fire protection have already been
developed and are provided. Infill is located within land subdivided for at least 35 years.
Missing Middle Housing. Missing middle housing is housing constructed in buildings which are of a
size and design compatible in scale and form with detached individual homes. Example housing types
include duplex, triplex, live-work, cottage housing, group living, row houses, townhouses, horizontally
layered apartments, flats, and other similar configurations.
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Mitigate/Mitigation. Measures required or taken to avoid, minimize, compensate for, or offset definable
negative impacts of development on the environment, public facilities and services, or other issues of
community concern defined by ordinance.
Neighborhood. A walkable area of Bozeman with a distinct character that may have some boundaries
defined by physical barriers, such as major roads or railroads or by natural features, such as
watercourses or topography. A neighborhood includes both geographic (place-oriented) and social
(people-oriented) components and is often characterized by residents sharing common amenities such
as an elementary school, park, shops, community center or other similar elements. As a distinct and
identified area, often with its own name, neighborhoods are recognized as fostering community spirit
and a sense of place, factors recognized as important in community planning.
Net acres. The area of land measured in acres, minus any dedications to the public, such as public or
private streets and parks.
Objective. A more specific statement than a goal which seeks to advance the intent of a goal. Objectives
bridge the distance between goals which are general in nature and policies which call for a specified and
distinct action to be accomplished. An example is: “Support and encourage creative site development
design.”
Open Space. Land and water areas retained for use as active or passive recreation areas, agriculture, or
resource protection in an essentially undeveloped state.
Pedestrian Oriented. Development designed with an emphasis on pedestrian safety, convenience and
accessibility that is equal to or greater than the emphasis given to automotive access and convenience.
Policy. A definite course or method of action selected from among alternatives and in light of given
conditions to guide and determine present and future decisions.
Sprawl. A pattern of development generally characterized by a combination of:
• Low population density,
• Forced reliance on individual automotive transportation,
• Distribution of land uses which require driving in order to satisfy basic needs, and,
• Development which leaves large undeveloped areas surrounded by development.
Special Topic Plan. A formal plan prepared for a specific physical resource or function or area of the City
which examines the current state, future needs, and recommended means of meeting identified future
needs. Examples of topic plans are the Wastewater Facility Plan, Affordable Housing Action Plan, various
Neighborhood Plans, and the Transportation Plan.
Walkable. A walkable area has:
• A center, whether it’s a main street or a public space.
• People: Enough people for businesses to flourish and for public transit to run frequently.
• Parks and public space: Functional and pleasant public places to gather and play.
• Pedestrian design: Buildings are close to the street, parking lots are relegated to the back.
• Schools and workplaces: Close enough that walking to and from home to these destinations is
realistic.
• Complete streets: Streets designed for bicyclists, pedestrians, and transit.