HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-19-26 Public Comment - C. Townsend - Re_ Request for Action_ Parking Controls and Process Transparency for Flanders Mill NeighborhoodFrom:Courtney Johnson
To:Bozeman Public Comment; Douglas Fischer; Greg Sullivan; Chuck Winn; Jennifer Madgic; Mike Maas
Cc:tinytim02@gmail.com; matzickmartin@gmail.com; Kim Fauls; William Baker; rachael@domaineinteriors.com;stevetesch1@gmail.com; manningkathryn@gmail.com; erichshore@gmail.com; willmortonjr@gmail.com; Megan Melief;albeewillett@gmail.com; bryaningle@gmail.com; johnj@brproducts.com; pattialbertaallen780@gmail.com; billsenecal@gmail.com;spitzer.joshua@gmail.com; lsedivymt@gmail.com; Thomas & Tracy Heck; gclem@comcast.net; jparsley@fsbfamily.com;
theandywang8@gmail.com; cta82@yahoo.com; ronsoltau414@gmail.com; hopekapsner@mac.com; ndnewbury@gmail.com;lilyliuwang@gmail.com; Scott Courtney Johnson
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Re: Request for Action: Parking Controls and Process Transparency for Flanders Mill Neighborhood
Date:Tuesday, May 12, 2026 6:31:35 PM
Attachments:image.pngimage.png260512 City Commission Memo DRAFT.pdf260512 GHS Parking District - DRAFT CODE.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.
Hello City Staff, Commissioners, and Neighbors,
Thank you for hearing my public comment this evening. Attached are the draft Commission packet, draftmunicipal code language, and supporting documents intended to help this initiative move forward in a timelymanner and support City staff in its review.
Residents have collected the required petition signatures, and we are respectfully requesting that the GallatinHigh Residential Parking District be scheduled for City Commission consideration. Timing matters.
Ideally, this would be scheduled with enough time for formal consideration and, if approved, potentialimplementation alongside the new parking lot before the start of the 2026–2027 school year.
Thank you,
Courtney Johnson
180213 Parking Calculations Memo.pdf
Courtney Johnson, AIA, NCARB406.579.0582courtneyjohnsonmt@gmail.com
On Fri, May 8, 2026 at 2:29 PM Courtney Johnson <courtney.johnson.mt@gmail.com> wrote:
Dear City Staff, Commission and Residents of Auger Lane,
My 1st grade daughter who many of you have seen, and who spoke at Commission last month was nearlyhit on the sidewalk by an 18-year-old Gallatin High School student riding a dirt bike this week.
The “sit and wait and see” approach is no longer acceptable.
Dear City Staff,
This is now our third formal request for a response from the City of Bozeman regarding the proceduralpath forward for establishing a Residential Parking Permit District for the Gallatin High School / FlandersMill neighborhood.
This request has been raised through multiple formal channels:
July 22, 2024: Residents submitted the original Resolution of Intent / request to evaluate aResidential Parking Permit District for the Gallatin High School area to the City Clerk, both inperson and by email.
September 25, 2024: The Transportation Board held a work session regarding a Gallatin HighSchool parking district.
May 14, 2025: I submitted the written request below asking for procedural clarity and action underBozeman Municipal Code Section 36.04.330. No formal response has been received to date.
April 14, 2026: I requested action in person during public comment at the City Commissionmeeting. No formal response has been received to date.
Current status: Residents now have signed petitions in hand in support of the Residential ParkingPermit District.
We are respectfully requesting that the City provide a formal written response confirming the nextprocedural step. Specifically, we ask the City to confirm whether the signed petitions will be accepted andwhether this item can be scheduled for review by the appropriate City body, including placement on theMay 19 City Commission agenda, which currently appears to be canceled due to no agenda items.
This is a life-safety concern. Daily student parking from Gallatin High School continues to be pushed intoan unsupervised residential neighborhood where residents and young children live, walk, bike, accessparks, and travel to and from school. Local residential streets are being used as unmanaged overflowparking areas, while the parking infrastructure created along Flanders Mill is not being fully utilized.Based on our daily counts, the Flanders Mill parking area averages approximately 35% utilization.
Based on BMC Section 36.04.330, the proposed district meets the designation criteria and intent because:
The area is residential in character.
Daily non-resident parking is occurring due to Gallatin High School.
Residential streets are being used for long-duration student parking during school hours.
Residents and guests are experiencing reduced access to on-street parking.
The parking pattern is creating life-safety concerns near crosswalks, intersections, driveways, schoolroutes, parks, homes, and sidewalks.
A district would help redirect daily student parking toward intended parking areas and reduceunmanaged parking on residential streets.
We respectfully ask that the Commission not cancel the May 19 meeting if this item can be placed on theagenda. Please allow this issue to move forward for consideration and decision through the process alreadyavailable under City code. The next month has historically been one of the most dangerous periods for thisneighborhood, with school traffic, student parking, spring sports, park activity, and more younger childrenwalking and biking all overlapping. I do not know how else to collaborate or how many more stepsresidents can reasonably be expected to take. We have worked with SROs, the Principal, the SchoolSuperintendent, City staff, adjacent businesses, neighbors, and community members. We have gathereddata, attended meetings, submitted formal requests, organized feedback, and now have signed petitions inhand.
Parking Deficit — Even After the New Lot
Gallatin High School: approximately 1,500 students, plus faculty, staff, visitors, athletics, andevents.
Current on-site parking: 613 spaces
New parking lot underway: +113 spaces
Future Gallatin on-site total: 726 spaces
By comparison:
Bozeman High School: 855 on-site spaces for a similar student population.
Bozeman High neighborhood: already protected by a Residential Parking Permit District.
Even after the new 113-space lot is built, Gallatin High will still have approximately 129 fewer on-site parking spaces than Bozeman High School, while the surrounding neighborhood remainswithout the same residential parking protections. For these reasons, we are asking the City to move thisrequest forward now. Please confirm receipt of this request and advise on the next formal step, includingwhether the signed petitions can be submitted and whether this item can be placed on the May 19 CityCommission agenda.
Thank you,
Courtney Johnson
991 Auger Lanecourtney.johnson.mt@gmail.com406-579-0582
On Wed, May 14, 2025 at 10:59 AM Courtney Johnson <courtney.johnson.mt@gmail.com> wrote:Date: May 14th, 2025
City of Bozeman121 N Rouse Ave,Bozeman, MT 59715comments@bozeman.net
RE: Request for Action: Parking Controls and Process Transparency for Flanders MillNeighborhood
Dear City Commission, City Manager Winn, and City Staff,
I’m writing as a resident of the Flanders Mill neighborhood to formally request clarity on the proceduralprocess for establishing residential parking controls and to ask the City to initiate the steps outlined inBozeman Municipal Code Section 36.04.330 to create a Residential Parking Permit Area.
On July 22, 2024, a Resolution of Intent was submitted to the City Clerk to address ongoing congestionand growing safety concerns due to overflow parking from Gallatin High School. I attended and spokeduring the September 25, 2024 Transportation Board meeting, introducing these concerns on behalf ofthe neighborhood, particularly following the closure of the Oak and Flanders Mill intersection, whichsignificantly increased cut-through traffic from a principal arterial onto our local residential streets.
Since then, I’ve partnered with neighbors to document access issues, track occupancy trends, and engagedirectly with City staff. While those efforts were initially met with constructive dialogue, the processnow appears stalled, with no formal response in weeks, no occupancy inventory completed, andcontinued uncertainty around next steps.
Request for Procedural Clarity: I respectfully ask the City to confirm:
1. Whether a parking occupancy study is procedurally required by ordinance before proceeding to apublic hearing or Commission action;2. Whether the Resolution of Intent is sufficient to initiate a formal hearing under Sec. 36.04.330;3. What specific steps residents must take to formally move this request forward under current policy
If parking inventory is required, I am happy to share the resident-collected data gathered throughout theschool year—particularly during the winter and spring months, when student parking increases as moresophomores (who are not eligible for on-campus parking) obtain their driver’s licenses.
Neighborhood Alignment with Ordinance Criteria: Per Section 36.04.330(A) of the BozemanMunicipal Code, the City Commission may create residential parking permit areas after a public hearingif the following conditions are met:
1. The area is predominantly residential;2. Streets are regularly congested with non-resident vehicles;3. Parking limits would better serve residents’ needs.
Our neighborhood clearly meets all three criteria. Additionally, the ordinance supports implementationwhen a parking district would further any of the following objectives:
1. Reducing traffic hazards2. Promoting tranquility among residents3. Reducing noise and litter
We are experiencing:
Obstructed emergency access routesBlocked fire hydrants and drivewaysDelayed garbage and delivery servicesUnsafe pedestrian conditions near Diamond Park and Safe Routes to School for MeadowlarkElementary studentsVandalism at Diamond Park and to private property
These conditions are public safety issues and directly support the need for parking controls, consistentwith the intent of the ordinance.
Need for Timely Action: We understand the City anticipates completing the new student parking lot atOak and Cottonwood next fall. However, we request that this infrastructure investment be concurrentlyimplemented with a residential parking program in Flanders Mill to ensure both are effective. Choosingto “wait and see” whether the new lot resolves these issues will only extend life safety risks and servicedisruptions. Without restrictions in place, students will understandably continue choosing the mostconvenient option—which is street parking in residential neighborhoods rather than using the new lotand crossing the proposed bridge.
Bozeman High School and MSU already benefit from established parking districts. We respectfullyrequest equal protection and a transparent, timely process to address this issue before the 2025–2026school year begins.
I respectfully request the City Staff and Commission:
1. Clarify the formal process and requirements under Sec. 36.04.3302. Consider initiating the public hearing process to establish a Residential Parking Permit Area forthe affected streets3. Act before the start of the 2025–2026 school year to ensure safety, access, and the effectiveness ofpublic infrastructure investments at the Sports Park.
This request is not simply about neighborhood convenience, it’s about establishing necessary trafficprotections to support the health, safety, and welfare of students, parents, and residents in this impactfularea. With young children walking to school, public park access, and increased daily traffic fromGallatin High, we must treat this as a matter of responsible planning. The tools already exist in the City’sordinance to proactively address these issues. Let’s use them now to implement an effective and safersolution.
Thank you for your time, your service, and your commitment to thoughtful city planning. I remainavailable to share neighborhood data, photos, and community feedback to support this effort.
Sincerely,Courtney Johnson991 Auger Lanecourtney.johnson.mt@gmail.com406-579-0582
Attachments:240722 Resolution of Intent submitted to City Clerk Mike Mass240925 Bozeman Transportation Board Meeting Minutes.pdf
Reference Ordinance: Sec. 36.04.330. - Procedure for the establishment of a residential on-streetparking permit regulation program.
Cc:Public Comment – City Commission: comments@bozeman.netCity Attorney Greg Sullivan – gsullivan@bozeman.netParking Manager Nicholas Focken – nfocken@bozeman.netTransportation & Engineering Director Nicholas Ross – nross@bozeman.netCity Manager Chuck Winn – cwinn@bozeman.net
-- Courtney Johnson, AIA, NCARB406.579.0582courtneyjohnsonmt@gmail.com
-- Courtney Johnson, AIA, NCARB406.579.0582courtneyjohnsonmt@gmail.com
Commission Memo
Gallatin Residential Parking District
Month XX, 2026
Page 1 of 3
Report To: Mayor and City Commission
From: Courtney Johnson, Former Senior Planner
Subject: Creation of Gallatin High School Residential On-Street Parking Permit Regulation
Program: Sec. 36.04.366
Meeting Date: Month XX, 2026
Agenda Item Type: Public Hearing - Ordinance / Policy Action
Recommended Motion: “I move to approve Ordinance No. ____ creating Sec. 36.04.366, Gallatin High School
Residential On-Street Parking Permit Regulation Program, and direct staff to proceed with implementation,
signage, permitting, and enforcement prior to the start of the 2026–2027 school year.”
Report Date: May 12, 2026
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Residents adjacent to Gallatin High School are requesting City Commission action to establish a targeted
Residential On-Street Parking Permit District for streets directly impacted by daily high school parking overflow.
This request uses an existing City tool to manage a known land use and transportation impact in a residential
neighborhood where student parking, school traffic, park activity, daycare traffic, garbage service, emergency
access, and elementary-aged children walking and biking now overlap daily.
The issue was foreseeable. During the 2018 Gallatin High School entitlement process, the School District claimed
an exemption from zoning standards because off-site parking was not permitted for commercial parking use,
including PLI zoning. The 2018 Commission memo stated that parking beyond the school site was anticipated for
only “one to two events per year,” with adjacent local streets such as Flanders Mill and Annie contemplated for
those limited events.
In 2024, additional striping was added along Flanders Mill Road following resident coordination with the
Transportation Board as a practical effort to shift parking out of the neighborhood and toward a safer, more
appropriate location. However, those spaces remain significantly underutilized, with observed utilization below
35% of available off-site parking.
What residents are experiencing today is different from the limited event parking contemplated in 2018. The
adjacent neighborhood is now absorbing daily overflow parking during the school year, not occasional event
parking. The proposed district is a code-based response to restore residential street function, improve emergency
and service access, and reduce safety concerns/conflicts school routes, and neighborhood intersections.
Residents request that this approach be implemented for the 2026–2027 school year, concurrently with the
addition of the new Sports Park shared-use parking lot. The request was initially submitted in July 2024. Residents
are asking that the Commission hearing, public notice, ordinance process, and implementation proceed without
delay so the district can be effective on the first day of school.
BACKGROUND:
Gallatin High School was approved and constructed with 613 on-site parking spaces. The 2018 parking analysis
identified 613 on-site spaces and 194 on-street spaces within 1,000 feet, for a total area parking supply of 807
spaces.
The same 2018 analysis compared Gallatin High School to Bozeman High School. Bozeman High School was
documented as having 855 on-site spaces, compared with Gallatin’s 613 on-site spaces.
Commission Memo
Gallatin Residential Parking District
Month XX, 2026
Page 2 of 3
That framework matters because the neighborhood request is not asking the City to revisit the original school
approval. Residents are asking the City to respond to the real-world condition that has developed since the school
became fully occupied.
On September 25, 2024, the Transportation Board held a work session specifically for the Gallatin High School
parking district. The minutes show a staff presentation, public comment, board questions, discussion, and a recap
by Director Ross.
The attached draft ordinance creates Sec. 36.04.366 and identifies the proposed district streets, school-year
enforcement period, permit structure, service-provider exceptions, visitor permits, signage, enforcement, and
process for future boundary revisions.
Relationship to 2018 Entitlement Materials
The 2018 Commission memo is important because it shows that parking impacts were part of the original public
discussion. The School District’s claimed exemption included Sec. 38.25.040 because zoning designations did not
permit off-site parking for commercial parking use, including PLI zoning. The memo stated that additional parking
beyond the school site would be needed only “one to two events per year,” with Annie, Flanders Mill, and
Meadowlark Elementary parking contemplated for special event conditions.
The 2018 parking analysis also stated that the joint-use approach would accommodate worst-case event parking
“without infringing on adjacent neighborhoods.” This language appears on page 8 of the February 13, 2018
Parking Analysis.
That is not the condition residents are experiencing today. The requested district is therefore a reasonable post-
occupancy correction using the City’s existing parking management authority.
Prior City Review
The Transportation Board work session held September 25, 2024 confirms that the Gallatin High School parking
district has already been brought into the City’s public process. The minutes document a staff presentation by the
City Parking Manager, public comments focused on safety, boundaries, pricing, funding, and policy approach,
followed by board questions and discussion.
The City’s September 2024 Transportation Board packet framed the issue as a choice between a Residential
Parking Permit District and a Parking Benefit Zone. The packet notes that a Residential Parking Permit District is
exclusive to residents and can be created by ordinance when criteria are met, including reducing traffic hazards.
After the work session and a clearer understanding of the pathways available under Bozeman Municipal Code
36.04.330. - Procedure for the establishment of a residential on-street parking permit regulation., a Residential
On-Street Parking Permit District was decided to be the appropriate approach.
A Residential Parking Permit District is appropriate because the issue is not simply parking turnover or revenue.
The concern is residential street safety, visibility, and access adjacent to a school, park, daycare, trail system, and
elementary pedestrian routes.
Fiscal Considerations
Residents understand that permit districts require administration, signage, permitting, and enforcement. The
draft ordinance allows permit fees to be established by resolution, which gives the City flexibility to address cost
recovery without delaying district creation.
Commission Memo
Gallatin Residential Parking District
Month XX, 2026
Page 3 of 3
The 2024 Transportation Board materials identified permit cost, citation cost, enforcement staffing, software
setup, GIS boundary creation, and sign installation as implementation considerations.
The Commission does not need to resolve every operational cost detail before determining whether the district is
warranted. The ordinance can create the district, and the fee resolution and implementation plan can establish
the final permit cost, enforcement process, and signage plan.
Recommended Findings
The Commission can reasonably find that the proposed district:
1. Addresses a recurring school-year parking impact on residential streets.
2. Reduces traffic hazards created by concentrated parking near intersections, park access, and pedestrian
routes.
3. Supports residential tranquility while preserving access for residents, visitors, emergency vehicles, and
service providers.
4. Is consistent with the City’s prior review of Gallatin High School parking impacts.
5. Responds to a condition that has exceeded the limited off-site parking assumptions discussed during the
2018 entitlement process.
6. Uses an existing municipal code tool rather than creating a new or extraordinary process.
7. Can be adjusted by future ordinance if boundaries need to be refined after implementation.
Alternatives
The Commission may:
1. Approve the ordinance as drafted.
2. Approve the ordinance with modified boundaries or enforcement hours.
3. Direct staff to return with a revised ordinance and implementation plan by a date certain.
4. Take no action.
Taking no action leaves residents, City services, school traffic, young pedestrians, and park users in the
same unresolved conflict that has now been discussed for more than two years through City process.
Attachments/References:
1. Code Reference: BMC Sec. 36.04.330. - Procedure for the establishment of a residential on-street parking
permit regulation program.
2. Draft Ordinance BMC Sec. 36.04.366, Gallatin High School Residential On-Street Parking Permit Regulation
Program (attached)
3. May 7, 2018 City Commission Memo Agency Exemptions Application 18085
4. July 22, 2024 Resolution of Intent – submitted to City Clerk (attached)
5. September 25, 2024 Transportation Board - Meeting Agenda
6. September 15, 2024 Transportation Board - Work Session Memo
7. September 25, 2024 Transportation Board - Gallatin Parking Presentation
8. September 25, 2024 Transportation Board - Minutes
9. January 12, 2018 Bozeman School District Board Meeting
1. Bond Update – project summary (pg 6)
2. 11.12.2012 Interlocal Agreement (pg 57)
3. 01.16.2018 Joint Use Parking Requirements for Gallatin High (pg 63)
4. 01.16.2018 Parking Analysis (pg 65)
DRAFT FOR REVIEW
Sec. 36.04.366. - Gallatin High School Residential On-Street Parking Permit
Regulation Program.
A. The streets designated, pursuant to this section, as the Gallatin High School
Residential On-Street Parking Permit Program, and hereinafter referred to as "GHS
Residential District," shall be as follows:
1. South side of Tanzanite from Flanders Mill to Auger
2. East and West Sides of Auger from Tanzanite to Sunstone
3. South and north side of Annie from Flanders Mill to Auger
4. South side of Sunstone from Flanders Mill to Auger
B. It is unlawful for any person to stop, stand, or park a vehicle on any street within the
area listed in 36.04.366.A between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday
through Friday, from August 15 to June 15, except for legal holidays, except for the
following circumstances:
1. Those vehicles displaying a valid Gallatin High School residential parking
permit, a temporary HS visitor's permit for that location, or a HS service
provider permit;
2. An emergency vehicle, including, but not limited to an ambulance, fire engine
or police vehicle; or
3. A clearly marked business vehicle which is under the control of a person
providing a service to persons or property located in the GHS Residential
District, including but not limited to delivery vehicles.
C. These regulations will be enforced by the city police department and parking
services division.
D. The department of transportation and engineering will post signs in accordance with
the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices that indicate the general nature of
the restrictions and the hours and days when the restrictions are in effect.
E. Permits shall be issued for an annual permit year beginning August 1.
F. The amount of the permit fees shall be established by resolution.
G. Permits shall be issued by the city finance department. Permits may be issued for
motor vehicles only upon application by a legal resident within the GHS Residential
District who has a motor vehicle registered in the applicant's name, or who has a
motor vehicle for the applicant's exclusive use and under the applicant's control;
and satisfying the requirements of section 36.04.350.A and B.
H. No more than two visitor permits shall be issued annually to each single residential
dwelling unit for use by visitor vehicles.
I. Nonresidential uses may be provided with posted time limit parking as approved by
the director of transportation and engineering.
J. Annual visitor permits may be issued to nonresidential uses located within the
district for circumstances not otherwise provided for within this section.
K. Upon request by a resident or employer within the GHS Residential District, the city
police department may issue special gathering permits.
L. Residential permits shall become void if either the owner/operator of the vehicle
moves out of the GHS Residential District or the owner/operator of the vehicle sells
the vehicle. A permit holder who moves within the GHS Residential District or
purchases another vehicle and desires to transfer the permit must apply for such
transfer and pay the fee as established by resolution.
M. The GHS Residential District boundaries may be revised by ordinance.