HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-15-25 Public Comment - Downtown URD - Downtown URD Public Comment-UDC Height Restrictions B3From:Ellie Staley
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Downtown URD Public Comment-UDC Height Restrictions B3
Date:Friday, December 12, 2025 11:31:17 AM
Attachments:DURD Public Comment-UDC height B3.pdf
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you
recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Hi Alex and Mike,
Please post the attached public comment regarding the UDC Height Restrictions. Thanks, and
have a great weekend, Ellie
Ellie Staley (she/her)
Executive Director
Downtown Bozeman Partnership
222 East Main Street #302 | Bozeman MT 59715
406-586-4008 | www.downtownbozeman.org
Thanks to our Platinum Sponsor:
The Downtown Business Improvement District and Downtown Urban Renewal District are City of Bozeman entities
administered by the Downtown Bozeman Partnership. City of Bozeman emails are subject to the Right to Know
provisions of Montana’s Constitution (Art. II, Sect. 9) and may be considered a “public record” pursuant to Title 2,
Chpt. 6, Montana Code Annotated. As such, this email, its sender and receiver, and the contents may be available
for public disclosure and will be retained pursuant to the City’s record retention policies. Emails that contain
confidential information such as information related to individual privacy may be protected from disclosure under
law.
December 11, 2025
Dear Bozeman City Commissioners,
As members of the Downtown Bozeman Urban Renewal District (DURD), we are writing to express our
concerns about the proposed 70-foot building height allowance in downtown Bozeman. While we fully
support thoughtful growth and reinvestment in our urban core, this building height reduction from the
originally proposed 90-foot height maximum will reduce development opportunities, limit taxable
revenue for the city and the district to reinvest in future projects, and will restrict density where we need it
the most: our downtown urban core.
Good planning and mindful development can address concerns relating to the scale, character, and long-
term economic health of our downtown. Thoughtful vertical growth is essential if we are to accommodate
increasing demand for housing, commercial space, and community services while preserving the
integrity of our surrounding neighborhoods and open parklands.
A 90-foot height allowance, paired with strong design standards as included with this version of the UDC
draft, gives downtown the fiexibility to attract high-quality, mixed-use development that expands the tax
base, supports local businesses, and encourages walkability. Concentrating growth in the urban core
aligns with the mission of the URD by attracting investment including reinvesting funds in infrastructure,
stabilizing and strengthening the tax base, and supporting the vitality and diversity of the Gallatin Valley
as its social and cultural center. Furthermore, the 90-foot height is approved and active in our downtown
plan adopted by the URD.
Importantly, additional height can also create opportunities for public beneflts—such as workforce
housing, improved streetscapes, and sustainability features—when tied to clear development incentives.
By planning for taller buildings in appropriate locations, we can shape growth in a way that serves the
long-term interests of Bozeman and Gallatin Valley.
For these reasons, we encourage the Commission to adopt a 90-foot building height allowance in the
downtown urban core and continue guiding downtown toward a vibrant, sustainable future.
Sincerely,
The Downtown Bozeman Urban Renewal Board