HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-17-26 - Community Development Board - Agendas & Packet MaterialsA. Call to Order - 6:00 pm
B. Disclosures
C. Changes to the Agenda
D. Approval of Minutes
D.1 Approval of Minutes(Ruffalo)
E. Public Comments on Non-agenda Items Falling within the Purview and Jurisdiction of the Board
THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BOARD OF BOZEMAN, MONTANA
CDB AGENDA
Monday, July 20, 2026
General information about the Community Development 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 Chris Saunders, csaunders@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
+1 346 248 7799
Access code: 947 0602 4018
This is the time to comment on any non-agenda matter falling within the scope of the Community
Development 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 Community Development Board cannot take action on any item which does not
appear on the agenda. All persons addressing the Community Development Board shall speak in a
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F. FYI/Discussions
F.1 Bozeman Creek Vision Plan - Engagement Summary & Community Priorities (Henderson)
F.2 Upcoming Items for the August 3, 2026, Community Development Board Meeting
Agenda.(Saunders)
G. Adjournment
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 in their Laserfiche repository folder.
This board generally meets the first and third Monday of the month from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
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.
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Memorandum
REPORT TO:Community Development Board
FROM:Trenton Ruffalo
SUBJECT:Approval of Minutes
MEETING DATE:July 20, 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:
061526 CDB Meeting.pdf
Report compiled on: July 7, 2026
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Bozeman Community Development Board Meeting Minutes, 06.16.26
Page 1 of 4
THE CITY COMMMISSION MEETING OF BOZEMAN, MONTANA
MINUTES
06.16.26
General information about the Community Development Board is available in our Laserfiche repository.
A) 00:08:34 Call to Order - 6:00 pm Present: Erik Bonnett, Jason Delmue, Mark Egge, Lauren Mitro
Absent: None
Excused: Joey Morrison, Chris Egnatz, Ben Lloyd
C) 00:11:37 Changes to the Agenda
B) 00:11:32 Disclosures
D) 00:11:46 Approval of Minutes
D.1 Approval of Minutes
060126 CDB Minutes.pdf
050426 CDB Minutes.pdf
00:12:28 June 1st 00:54:31 mark correction required. Change the word “compounds” to
“shelters” in the motion for the minutes
00:13:20 Motion to approve with corrections
Mark Egge: Motion
Erik Bonnett: 2nd
00:13:41 Vote on the Motion to approve with corrections The Motion carried 4 - 0.
Approve:
Erik Bonnett
Jason Delmue
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Bozeman Community Development Board Meeting Minutes, 06.16.26
Page 2 of 4
Mark Egge
Lauren Mitro
Disapprove:
None
E) 00:13:57 Action Items
E.1 00:14:02 2026 Unified Development Code Housekeeping Amendments 1, to
Amend Chapter 38 Unified Development Code, BMC, to Address Legacy Short Term
Rentals in the RA district and Parking in the B-3 District After October 1, 2026,
Application 26307
26307 Project Report - 2026 Housekeeping Code Amendments 1.pdf
004 26307 2026 UDC Housekeeping - B3 Parking Post Oct 1, 2026 - DRAFT.pdf
00:14:14 Community Development Manager Chris Saunders presents to the Board
00:20:07 Community Development Director Erin George presents to the Board
00:30:49 Board question and discussion on Short Term Rentals
005 26307 2026 UDC Housekeeping - Legacy STR - DRAFT2.pdf
00:55:14 Motion to approve Having reviewed and considered the project report, draft ordinances,
public comment, and all information presented, I hereby adopt the findings presented in the project
report for application 26307 and move to recommend approval of the amendments.
Mark Egge: Motion
Erik Bonnett: 2nd
00:55:51 Motion to amend the main motion to modify the ordinance to allow type 2 short term rentals
in the RA zone rather than grandfather those in.
Mark Egge: Motion
Lauren Mitro: 2nd 01:04:11 Vote on the Motion to amend the main motion to modify the ordinance to allow type 2 short
term rentals in the RA zone rather than grandfather those in. The Motion carried 4 - 0.
Approve:
Erik Bonnett
Jason Delmue
Mark Egge
Lauren Mitro
Disapprove:
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Bozeman Community Development Board Meeting Minutes, 06.16.26
Page 3 of 4
None
01:05:03 Motion to amend motion to allow type 2 ownership to be defined as living in the same
dwelling or any separate dwelling on the same parcel
Erik Bonnett: Motion
None : 2nd
01:18:33 Member Bonnett withdraws motion
01:19:21 Vote on the Motion to approve as amended: Having reviewed and considered the project
report, draft ordinances, public comment, and all information presented, I hereby adopt the findings
presented in the project report for application 26307 and move to recommend approval of the
amendments including to allow type 2 short term rentals in in the RA zone rather than grandfather those
in. The Motion carried 4 - 0.
Approve:
Erik Bonnett
Jason Delmue
Mark Egge
Lauren Mitro
Disapprove:
None
F) 01:19:45 Public Comments on Non-agenda Items Falling within the Purview and
Jurisdiction of the Board
G) 01:20:00 FYI/Discussions
G.1 01:20:03 Engagement Framework Update
01:20:11 The City's Communication and Engagement Manager Takami Clark presents to the
Board
G.2 02:00:49 Upcoming Items for the July 6, 2026, Community Development Board
Meeting Agenda and Potential Cancellation of the July 6, 2026 Meeting.
02:01:57 Board decides to cancel 07.06.26 Meeting
H) 02:04:37 Adjournment
This board generally meets the first and third Monday of the month from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
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Bozeman Community Development Board Meeting Minutes, 06.16.26
Page 4 of 4
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Memorandum
REPORT TO:Community Development Board
FROM:Jon Henderson, Assistant City Manager
SUBJECT:Bozeman Creek Vision Plan - Engagement Summary & Community Priorities
MEETING DATE:July 20, 2026
AGENDA ITEM TYPE:Plan/Report/Study
RECOMMENDATION:Bozeman Creek Vision Plan - Engagement Summary & Community Priorities
STRATEGIC PLAN:6.6 Habitat: Work with partner organizations to identify at-risk,
environmentally sensitive parcels contribute to water quality, wildlife
corridors, and wildlife habitat.
BACKGROUND:The Bozeman Creek Vision Plan was approved as a City Commission priority
on August 6th, 2024 via Resolution 5626 and further recognized in the 2025-
2026 City Commission Priorities Work Plan adopted on June 23, 2026, in
support of the following goals:
Enhance flood mitigation efforts
Improve water quality & ecological health
Increase access and connectivity to parks & trails
Support economic vitality opportunities
Strengthen community connection to a vital resource
This project builds on previous work such as the 2012 Bozeman Creek
Enhancement Plan, the 2020 Bozeman Creek Analysis Technical Assistance
Grant Report, the 2023 Gallatin Valley Sensitive Lands Protection Plan , and
the 2025 Bozeman Creek Flood Mitigation and Reclamation Preliminary
Engineering Report, among other important efforts.
On December 9th, 2025, the City Commission adopted
a Resolution approving a formal Community Engagement Plan, incorporating
feedback received during an introduction to the project through a Special
Presentation on October 7th, 2025.
PORT Architecture and Urbanism, LLC was selected following a competitive
Request for Proposals and subsequently contracted under a Professional
Services Agreement approved on January 27, 2026.
Furthermore, the City of Bozeman has partnered with SeeBozemanCreek in
an effort to leverage the power of community-led interests towards a
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holistic approach to achieving shared goals among a wide range of
constituents.
A series of work sessions were held in February and April of 2026 with a
wide variety of constituents, including Neighborhood Association
representatives, Downtown Board members, Downtown property &
business owners, Watershed Council leadership, SeeBozemanCreek Advisory
Committee members, City staff, and others to begin exploring a number of
project and policy options. Key takeaways included:
A vision for Bozeman Creek should be in alignment with broader
ecological context
Emphasize quality of life improvements tied to enhanced ecosystem
services
Bozeman is becoming amenitized, which is not always aligned with
community needs/goals
The state and local legislative context is unique and nuanced
A catastrophic flood event is not an 'if', but a 'when'
On June 2, 2026 a public open house was held at Soroptimist Park to give the
community an opportunity to provide feedback on a number of "big ideas"
that were generated through previous engagement, as described above.
Moving forward, four distinct categories have begun to take shape, further
described in the attached memo titled "Bozeman Creek Vision Plan Status".
On July 14, 2026 the City Commission conducted a Work Session which
provided a summary of efforts completed to date, including a review of the
proposed recommendations, and an opportunity to provide overall
guidance.
While considerable progress has been made in developing potential project
and policy recommendations, it is important to note that significant effort is
still needed to shape draft ideas in a way that ensures a successful outcome.
On July 20, 2026 the Community Development Citizen Advisory Board will
have an opportunity to provide input on the Bozeman Creek Vision Plan with
a focus on preliminary policy recommendations, further described in the
attached memo titled "Bozeman Creek Policy Recommendations".
On August 8, 2026 the public will have an opportunity to review a Draft
Vision Framework Plan during the SLAM and Sweet Pea Festivals. Feedback
gathered during this event will inform final refinements prior to
development of the pre-final plan, which will be presented to a number of
Citizen Advisory Boards in the month of September. A final public event will
be held in November to provide an opportunity for clarification and
affirmation prior to the City Commission's consideration of approval of the
Bozeman Creek Vision Plan in December.
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Beyond the Vision Plan, several strategies will be considered for
implementation, further described in the attached memo titled "Bozeman
Creek Planning Next Steps Guidance".
Additional information can be found on the City’s Engage Bozeman website,
where citizens can subscribe to regular updates.
UNRESOLVED ISSUES:None.
ALTERNATIVES:As directed by the City Commission.
FISCAL EFFECTS:Funding for this effort has been allocated in the FY26 approved budget as a
three-way split between the Parks Maintenance District, the Stormwater
Fund, and the Public Works Administration Fund for a total of $150,000.
Attachments:
Bozeman Creek Vision Plan Status.pdf
Bozeman Creek Policy Recommendations.pdf
Bozeman Creek Planning Next Steps Guidance.pdf
Report compiled on: July 14, 2026
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PORT | Philadelphia + Chicago | porturbanism.com 1
June 25, 2026
MEMO: Bozeman Creek Vision Plan Status
Based upon the feedback received during the June 2, 2026 public event at Soroptimist Park—as well as
further discussions with project stakeholders—PORT proposes to advance the “11 Big Ideas” presented
for public feedback by sorting them into four distinct categories for further inquiry and development.
These four categories—which are briefly described below—are intended to structure revisions, edits,
and advancements of those big ideas that received support into a more actionable form. Note, some big
ideas have been dropped based upon public feedback.
01 Flood Mitigation
• Identify recommendation for intended designed level of service for Bozeman Creek and the Mill
Ditch as it relates to flood mitigation capital investments (ex. revised channel profile and
hydraulic structure upgrades).
• Develop sequencing recommendations for capital projects
• Identify at-risk populations and property owners who will benefit from these upgrades.
02 Downtown Creekside Parks
• Advance spatial definition and extents of three proposed Downtown Creekside Parks (Bogert,
Rouse-Soroptimist, and City Hall).
• Engage with adjacent and potentially impacted property owners.
• Liaise with agencies having jurisdiction on implementation considerations and concerns
• Clarify flood mitigation role of Downtown Creekside Parks
03 Zoning and Planning Policy Recommendations
• Develop recommendations for limited city acquisition (right of first refusal) for creek adjacent
properties and potential funding structure
• Develop revised setback requirements for properties abutting Bozeman Creek
• Develop incentive recommendations for creek side trail easements and floodplain enhancement
on private property
• Advance recommendations for redeveloping public property in or adjacent to Bozeman Creek
floodplain for purpose of increased public benefit (affordable housing or sim)
• Develop stormwater/sponge park recommendations for improved water quality in creek
04 Connectivity and Access
• Identify areas of unused or under-used public right-of-way along creek corridor for potential
creek/trail access projects.
• Further study of major capital connectivity projects (bridge over rail)
END OF MEMO
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PORT | Philadelphia + Chicago | porturbanism.com 1
June 29, 2026
MEMO: Bozeman Creek Vision Plan Policy Recommendations
PORT is providing the City of Bozeman and SeeBozemanCreek with the following updated zoning and
planning policy recommendations for internal project team review and discussion. These revised
recommendations are based upon the feedback received during the June 2, 2026 public event at
Soroptimist Park—as well as further discussions with project stakeholders.
As part of the upcoming July 13-15, 2026 stakeholder workshops, PORT would like to table these
recommendations for discussion with City of Bozeman Staff and the SBC Advisory Committee as a
means of evaluation and advancement. In anticipation of those discussions, we are sharing the updated
recommendations with the client group for initial feedback and comment.
In developing these, we do want to point out that many may have potential legal implications as they
relate to property rights, which are different in every state. These are shared at present as high level
ideas that will require additional internal study and external evaluation beyond the scope of services for
this contract. This caveat should be made in all public sharing of the proposed.
03 Potential Bozeman Creek-related Zoning and Planning Policy Recommendations
1)Right of First Refusal (Parcel Acquisition)
Promote limited acquisition of creek-adjacent parcels by City of Bozeman upon any parcel in the
Bozeman Creek 100-year floodplain being put up for sale or transfer. Acquisition via new right-
of-first-refusal city policy. COB to acquire parcels at market rate via newly created designated
fund created alongside enactment of policy.
2)Setback Updates
Update set-back requirements for parcels adjacent to Bozeman Creek. Revised setbacks to be
based upon percentage of total parcel area in the floodway and flood plain. Updated
requirements would include provision for creek side path easement. Could include incentive
bonuses or variances for property-owner provision of floodplain enhancements including
streambank or riparian habitat restoration. Construction and maintenance of creek side path
responsibility TBD.
3)Incentive Structure (Variances + Tax Relief)
Create incentives such as opportunities for zoning variances or property tax relief for private
property owner provision of floodplain enhancements or provision of creek side trail along
Bozeman Creek. Would apply to creek adjacent parcels, as well as those parcels within the
floodplain but not touching the creek (floodplain enhancements).
4)Non-Profit Partnership
Pursue a lease agreement (or similar) with a newly created non-profit partner to collaborate on
the construction, administration, maintenance, and operation of the three proposed Downtown
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PORT | Philadelphia + Chicago | porturbanism.com 2
Bozeman Creekside Parks (and possibly a larger extent of Bozeman Creek at the city’s
discretion). This partnership would be based upon the conservancy/friends-of-park model
utilized for the public-private partnership management of public spaces throughout the United
States. This structure would provide COB with a private non-profit partner whose exclusive focus
would be the management of Bozeman Creek’s downtown reach—from Bogert Place to E. Beall
Street. (Possible expanded management stretch from the Gallagator Linear Trail/Ice House park
to Interstate 90).
5)COB Property Redevelopment
Identify COB-controlled properties located in and around Bozeman Creek (within 100-year
floodplain) that could be redeveloped—via long-term lease or sale—for the purpose of
increased public benefit (affordable housing, new park space, or similar). Any revenue from
redevelopment would be directed into the acquisition fund described above or used for
ongoing Bozeman Creek maintenance.
6)Green Stormwater Infrastructure
Revise COB stormwater management policies to include use of exiting city parks as Green
Stormwater/Sponge-Park Infrastructure for the expressed purpose of improved in creek water
quality, recharged aquifers, and storm event flood mitigation. Will require coordination with the
COB Stormwater Division and alignment with the MS4 water quality and quantity permit
requirements.
END OF MEMO
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PORT | Philadelphia + Chicago | porturbanism.com 1
June16, 2026
Jon Henderson
Assistant City Manager
City of Bozeman
MEMO: Bozeman Creek Planning Next Steps Guidance
Dear Jon—
This memo outlines potential considerations for next steps related to the Bozeman Creek Vision Plan
following the conclusion of the current scope or work on or around December 15, 2026, and coinciding
with anticipated City Commission approval of the plan’s proposed recommendations. As we are only
roughly halfway through the Vision Plan process/schedule, the exact specificity of next steps is not yet
clear. But given the direction the project is going, we can anticipate work needed in the following areas.
FLOOD MITIGATION
• Additional flood bypass and hydraulic structure modeling
• Development of implementation sequencing and preferred permitting path evaluation
• Coordination with local, state, and federal agencies having jurisdiction
• Exploration of water rights status and pursuit of rights transfer if necessary
• Development of Schematic Design (30%) for Mill Ditch and/or main channel hydraulic structure
renovation or replacement
DOWNTOWN CREEKSIDE PARKS
• Schematic Design (30%) for Downtown Creekside Park(s)
• City Hall, Rouse Parking and Street, and/or Bogert Park
• Adjacent property owner coordination
• URA/Downtown BID coordination
NEW TRAILHEADS/PATHS/CONNECTOR PROJECTS
• Schematic Design (30%) for individual project
• Property Owner coordination
• Neighborhood group coordination
• Adjacent property owner coordination
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PORT | Philadelphia + Chicago | porturbanism.com 2
ENGAGEMENT
• Continued engagement with SeeBozemanCreek Advisory Group
• Ongoing meetings with Downtown Businesses, Neighborhood Groups, Montana State
University, and other stakeholders
• Ongoing Small Group and Open Public Workshops
• Bozeman Creek Vision Plan Website Content
COST ESTIMATION
• Formal Cost Estimation of Phase 1 project components
• Preparation of exhibits in support of costing evaluation
• Estimates would be incorporated into schematic design for projects described above and below
POLICY DEVELOPMENT
• Support for development of precise policy language to be incorporated into City of Bozeman
Unified Development Code, zoning or similar
• Further development of policies related to setback incentivization, right of first refusal upon sale
listing, establishment of city acquisition fund, and/or administration of creek maintenance
GRANT SUPPORT
• Preparation of visual exhibits, technical information, and narrative description for public and
philanthropic grant applications
• Materials above related to both Planning and Capital Construction Grant Pursuit
• Note that provision of schematic design or further development as described above will often be
necessary to secure larger capital construction grants
• Assistance in identifying/vetting and coordinating with new project-focused grant writer (CoB or
SBC hire)
CAPACITY BUILDING
• Development of collaboration structure for establishment of Public Private Partnership between
City of Bozeman and non-profit partner
• Coordination/support for See Bozeman Creek (or similar) being stood up as a registered 501(c)3
in order to function as project administrator (conservancy or friends of group) on behalf of the
City of Bozeman
ADDITIONAL PLANNING/DESIGN STUDIES
• Urban design plans for redevelopment of city-controlled properties not directly touching the
creek
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PORT | Philadelphia + Chicago | porturbanism.com 3
• Examples could include identified considerations including City of Bozeman Public Works sites
(creek-oriented affordable housing) and/or existing City of Bozeman Parks (sponge infrastructure)
We understand that your intent is to include capital costs for Bozeman Creek projects in the FY2028
budget which we agree is an appropriate goal. However, we would caution that there is significant
additional work necessary following completion of the Vision Plan to have a clear sense of what that
capital ask should be, specifically what it will support, and the particularities of the permitting and
construction path necessary to complete the initial phase of work. With this in mind, our
recommendation is that the City of Bozeman look to set aside an amount in FY27 commensurate with
what was identified in the FY26 budget (+/-$150,000) to support development of selected aspects of the
work described above during this next year’s time-frame. Please note that all work described above
cannot be completed in full for this amount alone.
The specifics of what we would recommend undertaking following completion of the Vision Plan will
come into greater focus as our work moves into the fall of this year (Task 5). However, holding this
amount for next year will assure that progress on the Creek’s transformation is able to continue and that
the City of Bozeman will not have to remobilize to continue this work after an extended pause that
would risk loss of momentum.
We anticipate that different aspects of the work described above would be undertaken with different
combinations of subconsultants, with PORT serving as the lead and coordinating entity for the identified
work undertaken on the City of Bozeman’s behalf. Collaborating consultants would likely include
additional engineering, cost estimating, permitting, and restoration ecology beyond the current PORT
and RIO ASE team
We would also point out that setting this amount aside for FY27 would allow these funds to potentially
be identified as matching amounts for future partnerships with local philanthropic support and/or
applications for grants, substantially expanding the impact of this funding. This ongoing buildup of a
network of public-private support will help sustain the necessary work to deliver on the project’s long
term five-part goal set as described in the original RFP.
Please let us know if you have any questions or require any clarification. We would be happy to discuss
these items in further detail at your convenience if that was of use to you.
END OF MEMO
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Memorandum
REPORT TO:Community Development Board
FROM:Chris Saunders, Community Development Manager
Erin George, Community Development Director
SUBJECT:Upcoming Items for the August 3, 2026, Community Development Board
Meeting Agenda.
MEETING DATE:July 20, 2026
AGENDA ITEM TYPE:Citizen Advisory Board/Commission
RECOMMENDATION:Information only, no action required.
STRATEGIC PLAN:4.1 Informed Conversation on Growth: Continue developing an in-depth
understanding of how Bozeman is growing and changing and proactively
address change in a balanced and coordinated manner.
BACKGROUND:The following items are presently scheduled for the August 3, 2026,
Community Development Board meeting:
1. Work session on building height in the B-3 zoning district and zone edge
transitions. This is in preparation for a work session by the City Commission
on the same topics.
Comment related to these items may be submitted at
comments@bozeman.net. No discussion or action will be taken until August
3, 2026.
UNRESOLVED ISSUES:N/A
ALTERNATIVES:N/A
FISCAL EFFECTS:No budgeted funds are expended with this item.
Report compiled on: July 15, 2026
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