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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-18-26 - Historic Preservation Advisory Board - Agendas & Packet MaterialsA. Call to Order - 6:00 pm B. Disclosures C. Changes to the Agenda D. Public Service Announcements E. Approval of Minutes E.1 Approval of Minutes(Ruffalo) F. Consent G. Public Comments on Non-agenda Items Falling within the Purview and Jurisdiction of the Board THE BOZEMAN HISTORIC PRESERVATION ADVISORY BOARD OF BOZEMAN, MONTANA HPAB AGENDA Wednesday, February 18, 2026 General information about the Historic Preservation Advisory Board is available in our Laserfiche repository. If you are interested in commenting in writing on items on the agenda please send an email to comments@bozeman.net or by visiting the Public Comment Page prior to 12:00pm on the day of the meeting. At the direction of the City Commission, anonymous public comments are not distributed to the Board or staff. Public comments will also be accepted in-person and through Video Conference during the appropriate agenda items. As always, the meeting will be streamed through the Commission's video page and available in the City on cable channel 190. For more information please contact Sarah Rosenberg, srosenberg@bozeman.net This meeting will be held both in-person and also using an online video conferencing system. You can join this meeting: Via Video Conference: Click the Register link, enter the required information, and click submit. Click Join Now to enter the meeting. Via Phone: This is for listening only if you cannot watch the stream, channel 190, or attend in- person United States Toll +1 669 900 9128 Access code: 973 0055 8356 Approve 1 H. Special Presentation H.1 NCOD Design Guideline Update - Project overview and consultant introduction (Lakota Group) I. Action Items I.1 NCOD Design Guidelines Update Community Engagement Plan Discussion (Rosenberg) J. FYI/Discussions K. Adjournment This is the time to comment on any non-agenda matter falling within the scope of the Historic Preservation Advisory Board. There will also be time in conjunction with each agenda item for public comment relating to that item but you may only speak once per topic. Please note, the Board cannot take action on any item which does not appear on the agenda. All persons addressing the Board shall speak in a civil and courteous manner and members of the audience shall be respectful of others. Please state your name, and state whether you are a resident of the city or a property owner within the city in an audible tone of voice for the record and limit your comments to three minutes. General public comments to the Board can be found on their Laserfiche repository page. This board generally meets the 3rd Wednesday of the month from 6:00 to 8:00pm City Board meetings are open to all members of the public. If you have a disability that requires assistance, please contact our ADA Coordinator, David Arnado, at 406.582.3232. 2 Memorandum REPORT TO:Bozeman Historic Preservation Advisory Board FROM:Trenton Ruffalo SUBJECT:Approval of Minutes MEETING DATE:February 18, 2026 AGENDA ITEM TYPE:Minutes RECOMMENDATION:Approve STRATEGIC PLAN:1.1 Outreach: Continue to strengthen and innovate in how we deliver information to the community and our partners. BACKGROUND:None UNRESOLVED ISSUES:None ALTERNATIVES:Approve with Corrections FISCAL EFFECTS:None Attachments: 02212026 HPAB Minutes.pdf Report compiled on: January 27, 2026 3 Bozeman Historic Preservation Advisory Board Meeting Minutes, 01.21.26 Page 1 of 2 THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION ADVISORY BOARD MEETING OF BOZEMAN, MONTANA MINUTES JANUARY 21ST, 2026 General information about the Historic Preservation Advisory Board is available in our Laserfiche repository. A) 00:09:29 Call to Order - 6:00 pm Present: Chelsea Holling, Allyson Brekke, James Webster, Ashley Wilson Absent: Mitchell Korus Excused: Michael Wiseman B) 00:11:47 Disclosures C) 00:16:13 Changes to the Agenda D) 00:16:17 Approval of Minutes D.1 Approval of Minutes 101525 HPAB Minutes.pdf 00:16:27 Motion to approve James Webster: Motion Ashley Wilson: 2nd 00:16:32 Vote on the Motion to approve The Motion carried 4 - 0. Approve: Chelsea Holling, Allyson Brekke, James Webster, Ashley Wilson Disapprove: None 4 Bozeman Historic Preservation Advisory Board Meeting Minutes, 01.21.26 Page 2 of 2 E) 00:16:56 Public Comments on Non-agenda Items Falling within the Purview and Jurisdiction of the Board 00:17:50 Daniel Carty provides public comment 00:20:43 Danielle Nickolas provides public comment 00:21:09 Marcia Kaveny provides public comment F) 00:21:47 FYI/Discussions F.1 00:21:51 City Ethics Training F.2 00:53:02 Historic Preservation Project Update - Local Landmark Program and NCOD Design Guidelines G) 01:54:55 Adjournment This board generally meets the 3rd Wednesday of the month from 6:00 to 8:00pm 5 Memorandum REPORT TO:Bozeman Historic Preservation Advisory Board FROM:Sarah Rosenberg, Associate Planner/Historic Preservation Officer Rebecca Harbage, Deputy Director of Community Development Erin George, Director of Community Development SUBJECT:NCOD Design Guideline Update - Project overview and consultant introduction MEETING DATE:February 18, 2026 AGENDA ITEM TYPE:Citizen Advisory Board/Commission RECOMMENDATION:Receive presentation and ask questions. STRATEGIC PLAN:4.2 High Quality Urban Approach: Continue to support high-quality planning, ranging from building design to neighborhood layouts, while pursuing urban approaches to issues such as multimodal transportation, infill, density, connected trails and parks, and walkable neighborhoods. BACKGROUND:The City of Bozeman is in the early stages of updating the Bozeman Guidelines for Historic Preservation and the Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District ("NCOD Design Guidelines"). These guidelines were originally adopted in 2006 and had a minor update in 2015. This update will include an overhaul of the guidelines to align with current best practices in historic preservation, respond to community goals and values, and support the ongoing Local Landmark Project. The Community Development Department hired the Lakota Group as the consultant to provide their services to update the design guidelines. The Lakota Group was selected as the best qualified firm to complete this work, following a competitive procurement process. Lakota’s project team includes highly qualified historic preservation, architecture and planning professionals and they have completed similar historic design guideline updates for many other municipalities around the country. This contract was approved by City Commission on October 28, 2025. This special presentation will introduce the Lakota Group who will attend the HPAB meeting virtually. During the presentation, the Lakota Group will highlight their experience, share some case studies of work they have done around the country, and give a brief project overview. After the presentation, HPAB members will have an opportunity to ask questions. UNRESOLVED ISSUES:NA 6 ALTERNATIVES:NA FISCAL EFFECTS:Funds for this project were included in the FY25-26 biennial budget. Report compiled on: February 11, 2026 7 Memorandum REPORT TO:Bozeman Historic Preservation Advisory Board FROM:Sarah Rosenberg, Associate Planner/Historic Preservation Officer Rebecca Harbage, Deputy Director of Community Development Erin George, Director of Community Development SUBJECT:NCOD Design Guidelines Update Community Engagement Plan Discussion MEETING DATE:February 18, 2026 AGENDA ITEM TYPE:Citizen Advisory Board/Commission RECOMMENDATION:Provide recommendation to City Commission STRATEGIC PLAN:1.2 Community Engagement: Broaden and deepen engagement of the community in city government, innovating methods for inviting input from the community and stakeholders. BACKGROUND:The City of Bozeman has made a commitment to increase community engagement in decision making processes. From the adoption of the 2018 Strategic Plan to the Engage Bozeman platform in 2021, the City has established guiding principles to help develop tools and techniques for effective engagement efforts. Furthermore, as a community that must adhere to the Montana Land Use Planning Act, any City led project is required to develop a community engagement plan that identifies and establishes a process and methods for engaging public on process. City staff will provide an overview of the NCOD Design Guidelines Update Community Engagement Plan which highlights the goals of the project, timeline, and methods proposed to ensure there is public feedback and community input. HPAB will have the opportunity to ask questions and give feedback, ultimately providing a recommendation to the City Commission who adopts the final plan. UNRESOLVED ISSUES:None. ALTERNATIVES:As identified by the Historic Preservation Advisory Board FISCAL EFFECTS:Funds for the NCOD Design Guidelines update project have been budgeted. Attachments: Community Engagement Plan.pdf Report compiled on: February 12, 2026 8 9 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PLAN Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District (NCOD) Design Guideline Update Project Overview This project will provide a comprehensive update of the Bozeman Guidelines for Historic Preservation and the Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District, herein called “design guidelines”. The design guidelines were originally adopted in 2006, had a minor update in 2015, and apply to the Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District (NCOD). The NCOD has been in place since 1991 and contains over 4,000 properties and nine National Register Historic Districts located in and around Bozeman’s historic downtown core. The NCOD was created to stimulate the restoration and rehabilitation of structures while also inviting new construction that enhances the character and function of the area. Within the NCOD, any exterior modification requires design review through a Certificate of Appropriateness application. The current guidelines provide general direction about the design of changes to existing structures, additions, new construction, and site work. They are not meant to dictate solutions but define a range of appropriate responses to a variety of design issues. This project aims to update the design guidelines to consider current best practices in historic preservation, respond to community goals and values, and support the ongoing Local Landmark Project, which is a broader initiative to revise the historic preservation program, update associated code, and establish a local landmark program. The updated design guidelines will provide a valuable resource for property owners, permit applicants, and the design community when considering renovations, alterations, or new construction of structures within the NCOD. The project seeks to update the guidelines to achieve the following goals: • Better reflect contemporary preservation standards and nationally accepted best practices such as the Secretary of Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. • Address Bozeman’s community character, local conditions and priorities. • Guide new construction and infill. • Improve usability, organization, and visual clarity. Public feedback and community input are key to the project’s success and will be incorporated throughout the process. This document provides an overview of community engagement strategies. Key Terms: • Certificate of Appropriateness: A City of Bozeman permit required for all exterior alterations, new construction, demolition, or the movement of buildings on properties within the NCOD. • Design Guidelines: A City of Bozeman preservation planning document for use by property owners, permit applicants, design professionals, and City staff that assists in making informed decisions regarding the design of structures within the NCOD district through the Certificate of Appropriateness process. • Historic preservation: The practice of identifying, protecting, and maintaining buildings, sites, objects, and landscapes with historical, architectural, or cultural significance to ensure they are 10 preserved for future generations, telling important community stories, and maintaining community character. It may involve various methods like preservation, rehabilitation, restoration, and reconstruction to protect our significant heritage and promote understanding of the past. Historic Preservation can also involve community education initiatives and financial incentive programs. • Local Landmark Program: A new program being developed by the City of Bozeman to enable locations across the city to be recognized for historic and cultural significance. • National Register of Historic Places: The nation’s official list of buildings, sites, structures, and landscapes significant in the history, architecture, archaeology, and culture of the United States. National Register listing is honorary and may include individual properties or districts. • Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District (NCOD): An area, designated in 1991, in and around Bozeman’s historic downtown core where regulations beyond standard zoning apply to proposed alterations, additions, and new construction. • Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation: Nationally accepted principles for the rehabilitation of historic properties. The Standards emphasize maintaining the historic design, materials, and physical form of a building. Project Leads: City of Bozeman • Sarah Rosenberg, Historic Preservation Officer/Associate Planner • Rebecca Harbage, Deputy Director of Community Development • Erin George, Director of Community Development Consultants (The Lakota Group) • Matt Cole, Project Manager • Siraj Asfahani, Lead Preservation Planner • Douglas Kaarre, Preservation Planner • Douglas Gilbert, Preservation Architect Key Partners: Internal • City Commission (decision maker) • Community Development Department • Communications & Engagement Division • Legal Department Advisory Boards • Historic Preservation Advisory Board • Community Development Board External • General Public • Northeast Neighborhood Association • Bogert Park Neighborhood Association 11 • Cooper Park Neighborhood Association • Jandt Neighborhood Association • Midtown Neighborhood Association • South Central Association of Neighbors • University Neighborhood Association • Design professional/development community • Nonprofits and organizations that are affiliated with historic preservation • Downtown Bozeman Partnership • Montana State University Planning for Engagement & Participation Define Decision Making: Decision making is at the core of how we plan community engagement. It is essential to provide clarity on what decisions will be made, who will make them, and what information will be considered throughout the process. Many decisions are made throughout a given City project. The City’s approach calls on project teams to consider which decisions have already been made and which decisions can be made more sustainable by engaging the community. This section describes the decision-making process and the specific decision points at which the public may contribute. The project team is committed to ensuring the public is equipped with the right information and tools to contribute to a given decision. The City Commission is the final decision-maker on this project and will decide whether to adopt the updated design guidelines through a formal public hearing process that considers community input, legal review, and the recommendations of the project team and Historic Preservation Advisory Board. Throughout the course of this project, the public will have opportunities to shape the final recommendations by providing feedback that helps define the problem, fill potential information gaps, develop common understanding of decision criteria, and evaluate proposed alternatives prior to final decision-making. 12 At the time of drafting this plan, no specific decisions have been made beyond the decision to prioritize updates to the design guidelines and hire a consultant to support the project. It is important to recognize that the work being done with the Local Landmark Project, and decisions being made on that project, may influence the design guidelines update. Level of Community Engagement: Inform, Consult, and Involve. After there is clarity on the decision(s) and how the public will participate in the decision-making process, the project team determines the appropriate level of engagement. The public participation spectrum from the International Association for Public Participation (pictured below) is a commonly used tool for outlining different levels of engagement based on desired outcomes. It helps set expectations around participation in the process and ability to influence decisions. The public can expect that all levels of engagement will include one-way communications to provide the community with the resources and information they need to contribute effectively. Community engagement is an essential component of updating the design guidelines. The goal of public engagement in this project is to inform the community and stakeholders about the role of design guidelines and to gather meaningful input about community values and priorities related to historic preservation, neighborhood character, and design review, as well as input regarding usability of the document. Engagement will focus on building shared understanding of the need for and purpose of the design guidelines to ensure that the update is grounded in local knowledge and informed by those who live, work, and invest in the area. It is our goal to foster a sense of ownership and collaboration resulting in design guidelines that reflect the community’s vision of the NCOD and historic preservation. Methods of Engagement: Engagement on this project will be conducted using a variety of methods with the promise that the public will be informed, consulted, and involved throughout. There will be multiple opportunities for the 13 public and stakeholders to learn about the project and process and to provide feedback and recommendations as revisions to the design guidelines are drafted. The methods used to engage the community in this effort will include the following: • Community open houses and informational exhibits • Stakeholder meetings, both virtual and in person settings • Facilitated conversations with a neighborhood focus group which will be made up of a representative from each neighborhood association located within the NCOD and the Downtown Bozeman Partnership. • Progress updates with the Community Development Board and City Commission • Work sessions with the Historic Preservation Advisory Board (HPAB) • Social media posts • Engage Bozeman project page • Public hearings with HPAB, Community Development Board, and City Commission Community engagement should be flexible to allow public interest and participation which will help guide the selection of engagement methods. Over the course of the project, it may make sense to consider different or additional engagement methods such as: • Online survey or questionnaire • Walking conversation tours Community engagement efforts will be led by the Lakota Group and City staff. Not all methods of engagement will include in person visits from the Lakota Group. Stakeholder input, project schedule, and project funding may also affect whether such additional engagement methods are utilized. Engagement results will be compiled and summarized into a community engagement memorandum that will be presented to the Historic Preservation Advisory Board and posted on the Engage Bozeman project page. Project Timeline This section breaks down the project timeline to describe how and when engagement will occur. The timeline is an estimate and both the timing and engagement activities are subject to change based on a variety of factors. Timeline: Winter 2026 • Project Phase: Project Introduction • Actions: Introduce consultant team at Historic Preservation Advisory Board February meeting, discuss project timeline and approach, and give overview of Community Engagement Plan. Introduce consultant team to City Commission and present Community Engagement Plan for City Commission adoption in March. Upon approval of the Community Engagement Plan, create Engage Bozeman page and develop the neighborhood focus group. • Tools and Techniques: Published agenda, HPAB and City Commission public hearing, direct outreach to form neighborhood focus group. 14 Timeline: Spring 2026 • Project Phase: Community Engagement • Actions: Consultant in person visit in April to conduct community engagement opportunities with the public and external partners for feedback on existing design guidelines. Work session with Historic Preservation Advisory Board. Meeting with neighborhood focus group and any other stakeholder groups. Possible additional community engagement efforts conducted by staff outside of consultant in person visit. • Tools and Techniques: Engage Bozeman post, in person and virtual engagement events, stakeholder meetings, meeting with neighborhood focus group, social media posts, published agenda, HPAB work session. Timeline: Late Spring 2026 • Project Phase: Community Engagement Memorandum • Actions: Develop Community Engagement Memorandum that includes summary of community engagement activities, feedback and lessons learned. Solicit feedback from City of Bozeman staff and neighborhood focus group on draft of memorandum and make revisions prior to sharing publicly. Post final memorandum on Engage Bozeman. • Tools and Techniques: Community engagement memorandum, Engage Bozeman post, meeting with neighborhood focus group. Timeline: Early Summer 2026 • Project Phase: Community Engagement Findings Presentation • Actions: Project team presents findings and community engagement memorandum to Historic Preservation Advisory Board. • Tools and Techniques: Historic Preservation Advisory Board work session, published genda, Engage Bozeman post. Timeline: Summer 2026 • Project Phase: First Draft Development • Actions: Project team develops draft design guidelines using public input received to-date. Solicit feedback from City of Bozeman staff. • Tools and Techniques: Develop first draft of design guidelines and revise to incorporate staff input. Timeline: Early Fall 2026 • Project Phase: Public Review of First Draft Design Guidelines • Actions: Consultant in person visit, in person and virtual engagement events to present draft design guidelines. Hold work session with Historic Preservation Advisory Board to review draft. Solicit feedback on draft from neighborhood focus group. Provide update on draft to Community Development Board and City Commission for discussion. • Tools and Techniques: Engage Bozeman post, social media posts, in person and virtual engagement events, Historic Preservation Advisory Board work session, meeting with 15 neighborhood focus group, Community Development Board and City Commission public hearings, published agenda. Timeline: Late Fall 2026 • Project Phase: Final Design Guidelines Development • Actions: Project team develops final draft of design guidelines based on feedback gathered from all engagement methods, Historic Preservation Advisory Board, Community Development Board, City Commission, and City staff. • Tools and Techniques: Develop final draft of design guidelines. Timeline: Late Fall/Early Winter 2026 • Project Phase: Public Review and Project Recommendation of Final Draft • Actions: Public hearings at Historic Preservation Advisory Board and Community Development Board to provide final recommendation to the City Commission. • Tools and Techniques: Engage Bozeman post, public notice, social media posts, published agenda, HPAB and Community Development Board public hearing. Timeline: Winter 2026/2027 • Project Phase: Project Approval • Actions: Public hearing at Commission and adoption. • Tools and Techniques: Engage Bozeman project page, public notice, social media posts, published agenda, City Commission public hearing. Engagement Wrap-up 1. How will you show what you heard from members of the public and how public input has influenced the plan? a. Community engagement memorandum, design guidelines drafts and revisions, and presentations to the Historic Preservation Advisory Board, Community Development Board, and the City Commission will include a summary of where public input helped shape final outcomes. 2. How will you go about evaluating the success of the engagement effort? a. Engaging neighborhoods throughout each stage of the process through representation on the neighborhood focus group and having the focus group broadly support the final product. b. Reaching at least 1000 visits to our website and engaging in person with at least 100 people. c. Having the Historic Preservation Advisory Board support and champion the final recommendations to City Commission. 16