Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-23-26 - Transportation Board - Agendas & Packet MaterialsA. Call to Order - 6:00 PM B. Disclosures C. Changes to the Agenda D. Public Service Announcements D.1 Staff Updates(Lonsdale) E. Approval of Minutes E.1 Approval of the August 26, 2026 Transportation Board Meeting Minutes (Lonsdale ) F. Consent Items G. Public Comments on Non-agenda Items Falling within the Purview and Jurisdiction of the Board THE TRANSPORTATION BOARD OF BOZEMAN, MONTANA TB AGENDA Wednesday, September 23, 2026 General information about the Transportation Board can be found 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 Nick Ross, nross@bozeman.net This meeting will be held both in-person and also using an online videoconferencing 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: 982 5865 6090 1 H. Special Presentations H.1 Northwest Bozeman Area Plan(Naumann) H.2 Shared Use Path and Electric Bike Transportation Policy Work Session (Lonsdale) I. Action Items J. FYI/Discussion K. Adjournment This is the time to comment on any non-agenda matter falling within the scope of the Transportation 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 fourth Wednesday of the month from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Citizen Advisory 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:Transportation Board FROM:Taylor Lonsdale, Transportation Engineer and Staff Liason SUBJECT:Staff Updates MEETING DATE:September 23, 2026 AGENDA ITEM TYPE:Citizen Advisory Board/Commission RECOMMENDATION:Receive staff update STRATEGIC PLAN:1.1 Outreach: Continue to strengthen and innovate in how we deliver information to the community and our partners. BACKGROUND:Transportation Engineer, Taylor Lonsdale, acting as Staff Liason Provides the Board with staff updates and transportation related items. UNRESOLVED ISSUES:None ALTERNATIVES:None FISCAL EFFECTS:None Report compiled on: September 17, 2026 3 Memorandum REPORT TO:Transportation Board FROM:Taylor Lonsdale, Transportation Engineer and Staff Liason for Nicholas Ross SUBJECT:Approval of the August 26, 2026 Transportation Board Meeting Minutes MEETING DATE:September 23, 2026 AGENDA ITEM TYPE:Citizen Advisory Board/Commission RECOMMENDATION:I move to approve the August 26, 2026 Transportation Board Meeting Minutes STRATEGIC PLAN:1.1 Outreach: Continue to strengthen and innovate in how we deliver information to the community and our partners. BACKGROUND:Minutes from the August 26, 2026 Transportation Advisory Board. UNRESOLVED ISSUES:None ALTERNATIVES:As recommended by the board. FISCAL EFFECTS:None Attachments: 082626 Transportation Board Meeting Minutes Report compiled on: September 17, 2026 4 Bozeman Transportation Board Meeting Minutes, August 26, 2026 Page 1 of 3 THE TRANSPORTATION BOARD MEETING OF BOZEMAN, MONTANA MINUTES August 26, 2026 Present: Bryce Gordon, Shannon Mahoney, Rio Roland, Simon Rucinski, Grace Gilbreth Absent: None Excused: Hayden Glines, Mike Veselik Staff present at the Dias: Director of Transportation and Engineering, Nicholas Ross, Commissioner Jennifer Madgic, and Transportation and Engineering Admin, Maliah Beauchaine A) 00:02:25 Call to Order - 6:00 PM B) 00:02:36 Disclosures Simon Rucinski disclosed that he works at a local architecture firm that has clients seeking valet approval but he is not actively working on those projects and has no approval authority. He will still provide feedback on the presentation. C) 00:03:33 Changes to the Agenda 00:03:35 Motion to approve the excused absence of Hayden Glines and Mike Veselik. Bryce Gordon: Motion Shannon Mahoney: 2nd 00:03:53 Vote on the Motion to approve the excused absence of Hayden Glines and Mike Veselik. The Motion carried 5 - 0. Approve: Bryce Gordon Shannon Mahoney Rio Roland Simon Rucinski 5 Bozeman Transportation Board Meeting Minutes, August 26, 2026 Page 2 of 3 Grace Gilbreth Disapprove: None D) 00:04:00 Public Service Announcements D.1 Staff Updates E) Approval of Minutes E.1 Approval of the July 22, 2026 Transportation Board Meeting Minutes 072226 Transportation Board Meeting Minutes 00:06:23 Motion to approve of the Transportation Advisory Board meeting minutes for July 22, 2026. Bryce Gordon: Motion Grace Gilbreth: 2nd 00:06:47 Vote on the Motion to approve of the Transportation Advisory Board meeting minutes for July 22, 2026. The Motion carried 5 - 0. Approve: Bryce Gordon Shannon Mahoney Rio Roland Simon Rucinski Grace Gilbreth Disapprove: None G) Special Presentations G.1 00:07:08 Valet Parking Work Session 00:29:35 Questions of Staff F) 00:54:34 Public Comments on Non-agenda Items Falling within the Purview and Jurisdiction of the Board There was no public comment. 00:54:40 Additional Questions of Staff 6 Bozeman Transportation Board Meeting Minutes, August 26, 2026 Page 3 of 3 G.2 01:10:43 FY28-32 Capital Improvement Plan Work Session 01:43:42 Questions of Staff H) 02:02:09 FYI/Discussion Nick Ross would like to note that Taylor Lonsdale will be acting as staff liaison for the next couple months in his absence. I) 02:02:28 Adjournment This board generally meets the fourth Wednesday of the month from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. 7 Memorandum REPORT TO:Transportation Board FROM:Chris Naumann - Sanbell Bozeman Branch Manager SUBJECT:Northwest Bozeman Area Plan MEETING DATE:September 23, 2026 AGENDA ITEM TYPE:Citizen Advisory Board/Commission RECOMMENDATION:A work session on the Northwest Bozeman Area Plan. STRATEGIC PLAN:4.3 Strategic Infrastructure Choices: Prioritize long-term investment and maintenance for existing and new infrastructure. BACKGROUND:This planning effort is connected to the proposed Gooch Hill Sanitary Sewer Lift Station, which will provide the infrastructure necessary to support future development in this area. While the lift station is a separate engineering project, the Area plan will guide how this area develops after the lift station is operational. The Area plan will address potential land uses, transportation connections, parks and open space, public infrastructure coordination, and protection of natural resources. UNRESOLVED ISSUES:None ALTERNATIVES:As suggested by the board. FISCAL EFFECTS:None Attachments: Transportation Board Packet 092326 Report compiled on: August 31, 2026 8 Northwest Bozeman Area Plan City of Bozeman Transportation Board Work Session September 23, 2026 Area Plan Overview The Northwest Bozeman Area Plan is the culmination of a long-range planning effort focused on approximately 3,000 acres in the northwest corner of the City’s growth boundary. The City of Bozeman initiated this planning effort in connection with the proposed Gooch Hill Sanitary Sewer Lift Station, which will provide the infrastructure necessary to support future development in this area. While the lift station is a separate engineering project, the Area Plan guides how this area develops after the lift station is operational. The Area Plan addresses potential land uses, transportation connections, parks and open space, public infrastructure coordination, and protection of natural resources. The purpose of the Area Plan is not to maintain the status quo, but to thoughtfully envision the area’s transition over time as growth continues. The Area Plan aligns with the Bozeman Community Plan and other adopted City plans to ensure future development refiects community priorities and citywide goals. The Northwest Bozeman Area Plan is not a development plan but rather a long-range vision plan. The Area Plan provides general guidance and does not establish regulations. The Area Plan does not require property owners to develop their land. It does not dictate when development will occur. Property owners retain the right to decide whether, when, and how they pursue development, subject to applicable city regulations. The area plan serves as a long-range vision that helps protect natural resources, guides infrastructure improvements, and facilitates land use decisions as growth occurs over time. In short, the goal of the Northwest Bozeman Area Plan is to proactively shape one of Bozeman’s key growth areas before development occurs. Existing Conditions The Northwest Bozeman Area Plan boundary includes approximately 3,000 acres south of Interstate 90 between Bozeman and Belgrade. Most of the planning area is 9 outside of the current Bozeman city limits consisting of private property primarily used for agriculture. The planning area also includes numerous residences along the eastern boundary including the Valley Center and Northwest Crossing subdivision. The planning area contains dozens of natural and man-made water courses. Most notably Aajker and Baxter Creeks traverse this geography south to north with McDonald Creek crossing the southwest corner of the planning area. Numerous primary and secondary irrigation ditches crisscross this area. A signiflcant amount of wetland and riparian habitat fiank these water courses. The topography is relatively fiat, gently sloping from south to north with elevations ranging between 4,500 and 4,750 feet above sea level. There are several small areas with slopes greater than 25% along parts of Harper Pucket Road, Baxter Creek, and a few abandoned railroad spurs. Very few paved roads bisect the planning area. The primary north-south roads include Cottonwood, Harper Pucket and Hidden Valley. The primary east-west corridors include East Valley Center, Baxter Lane, Oak Street, and Durston Road. Almost no City services for water and sewer exist within the planning area. Area Plan Location The Northwest Bozeman Area Plan boundary was determined by the portions of the two drainage basins to be partially services by the Gooch Hill Sewer Lift Station; more speciflcally, the northern portion of the Aajker Creek basin and the western half of the Lower Baxter Creek basin. The planning area is deflned by the existing and future road network. East Valley Center Road establishes the entire length of the northern plan boundary. The eastern and southern plan boundary align with Durston Road, Oak Street, Cottonwood Road, Cattail Street, and the potential future extension of Ferguson Avenue north back to East Valley Center. The western plan boundary runs north-south approximately one- half mile east of Love Lane. Approximately 250 acres of the planning area is currently included in the Bozeman city limits located northwest of the Cottonwood and Oak intersection. The remaining 2,750 acres of planning area falls within the jurisdiction of Gallatin County. Gallatin County zoning designations within the planning area include in order of prevalence: unzoned, RR/A, AS, R-MH, and RS. There are several other overlapping jurisdictions. Most of the planning area is within the Central Valley and Hyalite Fire Districts. Bozeman Elementary and Highs School District #7 covers much of the planning area with a small portion of the Belgrade Elementary and High School District #44 overlapping the northwest corner. 10 Planning Context The Northwest Bozeman Area Plan geography is included within numerous jurisdictional planning boundaries including the City of Bozeman Community Plan, the Triangle Community Plan, and the newly formed Gallatin Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization. The primary purpose of the Area Plan is to provide land use guidance when any of the private properties within the planning boundary are annexed into the City of Bozeman. Therefore, the Area Plan is primarily based upon the goals of the Bozeman Community Plan. Community and land use planning in Montana is deflned and governed by the 2023 Montana Land Use Planning Act. A land use plan, commonly called a community plan or growth policy, establishes community goals related to land use, housing, natural resources, economic development, public facilities, and local services. State law allows for the adoption of area plans that are consistent with the overall land use plan. The current City of Bozeman land use plan was adopted as the 2025 Bozeman Community Plan. The Community Plan establishes the fundamental vision for guiding the continued growth of the community and articulates the citizenry’s priority to maintain Bozeman as “a fiourishing, safe, healthy, and a vibrant place to live, work, and raise a family.” The Northwest Bozeman Area Plan directly supports and advances the seven themes established in the Bozeman Community Plan. 1. A Resilient City 2. A City of Unique Neighborhoods 3. A City Bolstered by Downtown and Complimentary Districts 4. A City Infiuenced by Our Natural Environment, Parks, and Open Lands 5. A City that Prioritizes Accessibility and Mobility Choices 6. A City Powered by its Creative, Innovative, and Entrepreneurial Economy 7. A City Engaged in Regional Coordination The Area Plan incorporates by reference the content of the Community Plan for detailed information and projections relating to socio-cultural demographics, economic development, and infrastructure planning, in addition to the adoption and amendment processes. The Northwest Bozeman Area Plan will become an amendment to the Bozeman Community Plan. As such, the process to formulate and adopt the Area Plan meets the land use plan requirements established by state law. 11 Vision Overview The Northwest Bozeman Area Plan vision is to protect existing natural resources to the greatest extent possible while thoughtfully planning for the public infrastructure and private development to meet the needs of a growing community. The 2025 Bozeman Community Plan and the 2020 Triangle Community Plan provide the foundation upon which the Northwest Bozeman Area Plan was built. These guiding documents capture the diverse perspectives of Gallatin Valley residents and articulate the common values around community resilience, vibrancy, and sense of place. More speciflcally, the Area Plan vision is informed by identifying the planning objectives, refiecting on the Community Plan themes, determining applicable future land use designations, and applying the framework elements. These components are described below and considered in more detail throughout the plan. Planning Objectives The Northwest Bozeman Area plan is structured around flve planning objectives. These objectives refiect community values and guide future growth in ways that create safe, resilient, and inclusive neighborhoods. The following objectives were informed by the initial community engagement. • Collaborate with partners to ensure alignment with adopted community plans o Considering the numerous overlapping jurisdictions and planning boundaries, it is imperative that the Area Plan build upon the proceeding planning processes. The goal is to apply the lessons learned from other plans to this particular geography. • Engage the community to identify shared values to be reflected in the Area Plan o Community engagement helped guide and inform the Area Plan vision, planning objectives, and recommendations. The planning area has unique characteristics that resonate with the community and create a strong sense of place. • Protect natural resources and sensitive lands within the regulatory framework o The quantity and quality of water courses, wetlands, and riparian habitat add tremendous ecological, social, and cultural value to the Gallatin Valley. Impacts to these natural resources should be minimized to the greatest extent possible. • Plan infrastructure to provide access for vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians and sufficient capacity for public utilities o Future growth and annexation will require constructing a cohesive multimodal transportation network that accommodates vehicles, 12 bicyclists, and pedestrians. Public and private utilities will align with the transportation network. • Promote a mix of land uses to enhance economic health and community vitality o The vision is to facilitate a diversity of services and amenities within or near new residential neighborhoods. Having convenient and proximate access to everyday needs reduces traffic and environmental impacts. Framework Elements The Northwest Bozeman Area Plan is structured around four framework elements that inform the alignment of natural resources, public infrastructure, active transportation, and future land uses. The purpose of the framework is to ensure that any future development on this land will create desirable neighborhoods that will thrive through a mix of uses, active transportation, unique identity, and natural resource protection. The Natural Resources framework element identifles streams, ditches, wetlands, associated setback areas, and slopes exceeding 25 percent. These natural resources and environmental features represent important community assets within the planning area. Mapping these resources helps inform where future infrastructure and development should be directed to minimize impacts and preserve sensitive landscapes. The Active Transportation framework element incorporates a network of shared use paths and natural trails to provide opportunities for non-motorized recreation and commuting. Paved shared use paths will typically follow the collector and arterial street network. Natural surface trails will align with watercourses and natural areas when possible. The Public Infrastructure framework element proposes a system of primary streets, water mains, sewer mains, and stormwater facilities. These infrastructure corridors are aligned to provide connectivity and distribution of services while minimizing natural resource impacts. The Future Land Uses framework element revises the Community Plan Future Land Use Map to appropriately locate the various land uses. The locations were determined using a suitability analysis in ArcGIS to collocate the more intense and commercial oriented land uses along primary transportation corridors and at major street intersections. All four element layers are combined and create a comprehensive framework to guide future development. Natural resources establish the base. Public infrastructure creates corridors for travel and utilities while minimizing impacts. The active 13 transportation system provides dedicated space and efflcient connectivity for bicyclists and pedestrians. And, flnally, future land uses are designated in the most suitable areas for the given densities. --FRAMEWORK MAPS ON FOLLOWING PAGES-- 14 Legend Area Plan Boundary (NOT TO SCALE) I-90 HUFFINE LNJACKRABBIT LN19TH AVEBOZEMAN FOUR CORNERS BELGRADE 15 Legend Area Plan Boundary Bozeman City Limits (NOT TO SCALE) E VALLEY CENTER RD BAXTER LN W OAK ST DURSTON RD DAVIS LNCOTTONWOOD RDHARPER PUCKETT RDFERGUSON AVEGOOCH HILL RDLOVE LN16 Legend Waterways Irrigation Ditches Wetlands & Stream Setbacks (50') >25% Slope Area Plan Boundary (NOT TO SCALE) E VALLEY CENTER RD BAXTER LN W OAK ST DURSTON RD DAVIS LNCOTTONWOOD RDHARPER PUCKETT RDFERGUSON AVEGOOCH HILL RDLOVE LN17 (NOT TO SCALE) E VALLEY CENTER RD BAXTER LN W OAK ST DURSTON RD DAVIS LNCOTTONWOOD RDHARPER PUCKETT RDFERGUSON AVEGOOCH HILL RDLOVE LNLegend Existing Street Classification Principal Arterial Minor Arterial Collector Future Street Classification Principle Arterial Minor Arterial Collector Area Plan Boundary 18 Legend Proposed Shared Use Paths PRAT Plan Proposed Natural Trails Existing Paths & Trails Existing Roadways Wetland and Stream Setbacks (50ft) Area Plan Boundary (NOT TO SCALE) E VALLEY CENTER RD BAXTER LN W OAK ST DURSTON RD DAVIS LNCOTTONWOOD RDHARPER PUCKETT RDFERGUSON AVEGOOCH HILL RDLOVE LN19 Legend Existing Street Classification Principal Arterial Minor Arterial Collector Future Street Classification Principle Arterial Minor Arterial Collector Existing Trails PRAT Plan Trails Streams Wetland and Stream Setbacks Area Plan Boundary (NOT TO SCALE) E VALLEY CENTER RD BAXTER LN W OAK ST DURSTON RD DAVIS LNCOTTONWOOD RDHARPER PUCKETT RDFERGUSON AVEGOOCH HILL RDLOVE LN20 Legend Bozeman City Limits Area Plan Boundary Future Land Use Urban Neighborhood Residential Mixed Use Community Commercial Mixed Use Regional Commercial Services Traditional Core Industrial Maker Space Mixed Use Public Institution Parks and Open Space Present Rural (NOT TO SCALE) E VALLEY CENTER RD BAXTER LN W OAK ST DURSTON RD DAVIS LNCOTTONWOOD RDHARPER PUCKETT RDFERGUSON AVEGOOCH HILL RDLOVE LN21 Memorandum REPORT TO:Transportation Board FROM:Taylor Lonsdale, Transportation Engineer SUBJECT:Shared Use Path and Electric Bike Transportation Policy Work Session MEETING DATE:September 23, 2026 AGENDA ITEM TYPE:Citizen Advisory Board/Commission RECOMMENDATION:Provide feedback to staff on policy topics. STRATEGIC PLAN:4.5 Housing and Transportation Choices: Vigorously encourage, through a wide variety of actions, the development of sustainable and lasting housing options for underserved individuals and families and improve mobility options that accommodate all travel modes. BACKGROUND:City staff have identified a need to review city codes and ordinances related to shared use paths and e-devices with the goal of aligning city code with best practices related to mobility and safety. Initial review of Bozeman Municipal Code (BMC) and Montana Code Annotated (MCA) revealed some inconsistencies and opportunities for continued alignment as well as needs and opportunities with in BMC to update some outdated items while addressing new topics related to the growing use of e-devices. This work will focus on public right of way and will not specifically address parks or open space. This will relate to and be coordinated with the work that Parks Department staff is doing to codify items from the Parks Recreation and Active Transportation Plan (PRAT). Shared Use Paths - Staff have identified a need to provide a clear definition of shared use path, a need to clarify maintenance responsibility for shared use paths, and a need to look at how to regulate use of shared use paths by e-devices. E-Devices - There is a need to review and revise definitions within BMC related to e-devices. Staff is looking to address questions such as: What are they? Where do they operate? How do we enforce regulations? Staff is currently reviewing the city's statutory authority for regulating e-devices differently than MCA to better understand what options the city has. General Policy Items - Staff is looking at some general clean up of Chapter 36, Article 10 - Bicycles. The intent is to align city code with best practice and MCA. 22 Staff will present the topics identified and asks the Board for input related to the specific items and other policy topics that they may identify. UNRESOLVED ISSUES:Staff anticipates a future ordinance amending Bozeman Municipal Code based on policy feedback received. ALTERNATIVES:As identified by the board. FISCAL EFFECTS:None currently identified. Report compiled on: September 8, 2026 23