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Commission Memorandum
REPORT TO: Honorable Mayor and City Commission
FROM: Chris Saunders, Interim Director of Planning and Community
Development
Chris Kukulski, City Manager
SUBJECT: Department of Planning and Community Development 2009 Annual
Report
MEETING DATE: February 8, 2010
AGENDA ITEM TYPE: Action
RECOMMENDATION: Receive the 2009 annual report from the Department of Planning
and Community Development.
BACKGROUND: The Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD) has
presented an annual report to the community on development and departmental activity since
1995. The report summarizes the number and type of zoning and subdivision projects reviewed,
annexations completed, homes constructed, and similar descriptive information. The report also
describes significant events and projects completed by the DPCD that year.
Calendar year 2009 saw four major long range planning projects come to completion:
1) Bozeman Community Plan, a growth policy update
2) Greater Bozeman Area Transportation Plan, a joint project with Bozeman, Gallatin
County, and many other partner organizations
3) Economic Development Plan, a first ever stand alone planning effort for Bozeman
4) Downtown Bozeman Improvement Plan, a neighborhood plan looking at issues unique to
the Downtown
The year also saw a change in the character of development reviews with few subdivisions but a
large increase (160%) in site development reviews, see page 3 of the report. Although slowed
from the rapid rate seen a few years ago, residential construction continues within the City. A
total of 182 homes were granted building permits. There was diversity in the type of construction
with 5 of the 7 housing types tracked showing activity. The report concludes with a summary of
significant accomplishments in 2009, along with anticipated activities to occur in calendar 2010.
This report contains a clarification on the annexation activity processed by the City in 2009. Staff
will be present to receive and answer questions from the Commission.
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Page 2
FISCAL EFFECTS: None at this time
ALTERNATIVES: As suggested by the City Commission.
Attachment: DPCD 2009 Annual Report
Report Compiled: February 3, 2010
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1 Department of Planning & Community Development - Annual Report 2009
City of Bozeman
Department of Planning & Community Development
and Bozeman Planning Board
Year 2009 Annual Report
Long Range Planning Documents Page 1
Demographic/Annexation Statistics Page 2
Growth Policy Adoption Page 2
Subdivision/Zoning Activity Page 3
COA/Building Permit Activity Page 4
Economic Development Plan Page 4
Economic Development Page 4
Census 2010 Update Page 5
Transportation Plan Adoption Page 5
T.I.F. Districts Page 6
Downtown Bozeman Improvement Plan Page 7
2009 Accomplishments Page 7
2010 Work Plan Page 8
Planning Director Retirement Page 8
DPCD Staff Page 8
2009 has been a busy year for long range planning in Bozeman. In association with partners, the City
completed four major planning documents. These are the Bozeman Community Plan, Greater Bozeman Area
Transportation Plan update, Bozeman Economic Development Plan, and the Downtown Bozeman
Improvement Plan. These are described in more detail later in this report. These plans advance the physical,
economic, and social well being of the community. The planning process continued the City’s tradition of
combining work by the citizens, in-house staff, contracted consultants, and partner organizations. Common
themes of efficiency, quality of life, public transparency, and support for individual initiative bound all these
efforts together. Working to implement these documents will occupy the Department of Planning and
Community Development and others for years to come. All of these documents are available through the
City’s website at http://www.bozeman.net/bozeman/planning/plansPlanning.aspx.
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2 Department of Planning & Community Development - Annual Report 2009
DEMOGRAPHIC TRENDS
Recent Population Trends - City of Bozeman
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the City of Bozeman’s
population increased from 22,660 in 1990 to 27,509 in 2000-
an increase of 4,849 people.
City, County and State Historic Population Trends: 1900 - 2000
The City’s population is estimated to be approximately 39,442 at the end of 2009. Therefore, based on these
estimates the City’s population grew by 1,461 people or 3.8 percent during 2009. Gallatin County’s population
is estimated to be 89,824 at the end of 2009; the State of Montana population has been estimated at 974,989 at
the end of 2009. These estimates may be above or below actual population. The upcoming 2010 Census will
provide an actual count of the people in the City and County.
THE CITY BOUNDARIES CHANGE ONLY A LITTLE IN 2009
In order to accommodate increasing population and
business growth, new land for residential, commercial
and industrial development is annexed to the City. In
2008, the City was approximately 12,318.5 acres (19.25
square miles) in size. The total amount of acreage an-
nexed into the City for 2009 was 0.43 acres, which
maintained the approximate total size of the City at
19.25 square miles. The DPCD received 2 Annexation
Applications in 2009 and 1 application was finalized.
The remaining application is still in review.
Annexation to the City of Bozeman (in Acres): 1990 - 2009
BOZEMAN COMMUNITY PLAN ADOPTION
The centerpiece of Bozeman’s commitment to its future is its growth policy. The City of Bozeman adopted is
new growth policy, the Bozeman Community Plan, on June 1, 2009. The growth policy advances the City’s
commitment to fairness, openness, and efficiency in providing quality services to the citizens of Bozeman. The
prior edition of the growth policy was wholly replaced with the new document. The growth policy coordinates
between many issues; avoiding conflict, and maximizing return on private and public efforts. For example, the
City’s water, sewer, and parks plans, and the growth policy all utilize the same population projections and
service area for analysis. Chapters pull together critical concepts and address important goals and issues in a
concise and readable way. Bozeman has identified seven key principles in organizing its future. These are
described in detail in Chapter Three of the Bozeman Community Plan.
• Centers – Focal points for the community.
• Neighborhoods – Small town within a city.
• Sense of Place – We know where we are and why.
• Natural Amenities – Rivers, mountains, wildlife, and the Big Sky
• Urban Density – Good things can come in compact packages.
• Integration of Action – Keeping both hands working to the same purpose.
• Sustainability—Thinking of the future in today’s actions.
Implementation will occur by daily City operations, updated regulations, public capital improvements, and
private development.
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995
10.38 0.00 85.92 31.36 11.92 540.14
1996 1997 1998 1999* 2000 2001
11.50 958.96 90.04 104.06 632.09 794.06
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
222.75 186.58 484.47 444.50 716.80 468.26
2008 2009
103.50 0.43
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3 Department of Planning & Community Development - Annual Report 2009
SUBDIVISION ACTIVITY
Subdivision activity decreased in 2009. In 2009, final plat applications for 10 lots were received and
preliminary plat applications for 6 lots were received. Since the beginning of 1996, 5,989 new building lots
have been created in the City. In 2009, the Department of Planning and Community Development processed
11 subdivision applications and 7 subdivision exemption applications. Since the beginning of 1996, 634
subdivision applications have been processed. A strong inventory of platted lots has improved affordability
and diversity of building sizes. Recovery in the construction industry will not be impeded by lack of building
sites.
Subdivision Reviews by Type: 1996 - 2009
Final Plat Lots by Type: 2009
This pie chart illustrates lots by type applied for with final plat applications in 2009. SHR, 5, 50% - Industrial,
0, 0.0% - Commercial, 3, 30% - Mixed Use, 2, 20% - MHR, 0, 0.0% - 2-3 units, 0, 0.0%.
ZONING ACTIVITY
As shown in the table below, the DPCD processed 52 zoning applications in 2009. This is 32 applications, or
160%, more than the number of applications processed in 2008. Zoning projects include Site Plans, Condi-
tional Use Permits (CUP), Planned Unit Development (PUD) Concept Plans and PUD Preliminary Plans. In
2009, DPCD also processed 3 Zone Map Amendments (ZMA), 1 Master Site Plan, 1 Master Signage Plan, 13
Reuse/Further Development applications, 3 Zone Code Amendments (ZCA), 2 Variances, 1 Appeal, 41 Modi-
fications to Approved Plans, 10 Special Temporary Use Permits, 1 Sketch Plan, and 10 Informal reviews.
Zoning Reviews by Type: 1996 - 2009
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Preliminary Plat 219 416 513 333 258 671 700 413 661 1,637 688 1,434 38 6
Final Plat 248 337 278 330 265 405 343 564 581 495 1,211 861 61 10
0 200 400 600 800 10001200140016001800
19961997199819992000200120022003200420052006200720082009
Number of Lots: 1996 - 2009
Final Plat Preliminary Plat
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Site Plan 24 26 36 24 20 40 40 39 46 53 53 29 14 37
CUP 6 14 25 12 14 14 12 16 11 14 14 6 5 14
PUD Concept Plan 1 4 6 0 1 4 9 5 6 6 6 2 0 1
Preliminary PUD 1 3 7 3 3 4 6 6 2 7 7 2 1 0
Total 32 47 74 39 38 62 67 66 65 80 80 39 20 52
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4 Department of Planning & Community Development - Annual Report 2009
OVERLAY DISTRICT COA ACTIVITY
In 2009, 221 applications for Certificates of Appropriateness (COA) were processed for projects located in the
Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District or the Entryway Corridor Overlay District. Of these 221
applications, 6 included a request for Deviations, 6 involved a Reuse/Further Development Application, 40
were for signs, 3 Conditional Use Permits, 3 Site Plans in the Entryway Corridor Overlay District, and 12 Site
Plans in the Conservation District. The remaining 151 applications were sketch plan COA’s reviewed by
Administrative Design Review Staff.
RESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMIT ACTIVITY
Today there are ~ 17,124 dwelling units in the City of Bozeman. Since the 2000 data, single-household units
have been the most common housing unit type permitted at approximately 36.41%, followed by
multi-household units at approximately 27.28%. Of the 182 housing units permitted in 2009, 39.01% were for
single-household residences, 6.59% were for townhomes, 0.0% were for duplexes, 1.65% were for triplexes,
17.58% were for fourplexes, 35.16% were for multi-household units, and 0% were for manufactured homes.
There were no Accessory Dwelling Units permitted this year.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN
A strong economy is important for a healthy and dynamic community. Prospera Business Network was
contracted to prepare a comprehensive economic development plan. Prospera, under the guidance of an
advisory committee, completed its work in the summer of 2009. After completion of the economic
development plan, the Economic Development chapter in the Bozeman Community Plan was revised and
updated to incorporate the additional information and recommendations from the plan. The plan was adopted
in 2009.
The Economic Development Plan identified Bozeman’s quality of life, Montana State University, and the
historic and viable Downtown, as key components of Bozeman’s economic health and competitive strengths.
The Economic Development Plan was coordinated with the Downtown Bozeman Improvement Plan and the
Bozeman Community Plan. The need for a relevant economic development plan and a set of specific policies
and related actions that support a vital local economy has become an even greater priority with the current
economic recession. The City Commission is expected to appoint an economic development advisory board in
2010, as recommended in the plan.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
The Department of Planning and Community Development has always participated as a voting member on the
City’s Economic Development Loan Review Committee (EDLRC). At the end of 2009, the EDLRC managed
a portfolio of 10 loans with $1,685,000.00 being the total amount being disbursed and $1,253,006.36 in
outstanding loans. Revolving Loan Funds are loaned at favorable terms to stimulate job retention and creation
in Bozeman.
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Total Percent
Single-household 158 229 259 215 260 265 257 214 93 71 2,021 36.41%
Townhouse 34 0 28 52 70 63 63 71 35 12 428 7.71%
Duplex 23 51 37 108 144 141 58 80 30 0 672 12.11%
Triplex 6 3 6 12 45 105 45 33 9 3 267 4.81%
Fourplex 60 12 16 44 120 100 92 44 32 32 552 9.95%
Multi-household 73 71 132 146 235 281 155 314 43 64 1,514 27.28%
Manufactured
home 0 20 25 36 7 0 0 8 0 0 96 1.73%
Total 354 386 503 613 881 955 670 764 242 182 5,550 100.00%
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5 Department of Planning & Community Development - Annual Report 2009
CENSUS 2010 UPDATE
2010 Census Forms Coming in March – 10 Minutes for 10 Questions
July 20th, 2009 the City Commission approved Resolution 4193 in support of the 2010 Census promotional
efforts. Through April of 2010, Bozeman residents will see and hear advertisements promoting the 2010
Census. Residents will begin receiving their census forms in March. Census Day is April 1st. By this date, all
households across the U.S. are required to return their completed form. Shortly thereafter, Census Bureau
workers visit the addresses that have yet to respond. Census workers may visit an address up to three times in
order to record the data the form requests.
As a university town, it is of the utmost importance we return an accurate count of the college students living
in Bozeman. Many students may assume they don’t need to return the form, since they may still spend their
summers at home. According to the Census Bureau, college students should report from the residence in
which they live at the time the Census is taken. Whether living on-campus and off-campus, students will
receive a 2010 census form.
Spread the word. Getting an accurate count of Bozeman’s growth since 2000 may help the community receive
federal funding for schools, roads, sidewalks, emergency services, public transportation and more. Complete
and return your census form and encourage others to do the same.
We move forward when you send it back.
TRANSPORTATION PLAN ADOPTION
Bozeman is moving ahead. The City of Bozeman, in cooperation with Gallatin County, the Montana Depart-
ment of Transportation, and numerous other partners have completed development of the Greater Bozeman
Area Transportation Plan (2007 Update). The plan was adopted on January 20, 2009 by the City Commission
and the Gallatin County Commission in February 2009.
The updated Plan is multi-modal and examines all forms of ground transportation, including cars, trucks,
buses, biking, and walking. The planning process included extensive data collection, problem identification,
exploring alternatives, and developing recommendations as well as many opportunities for public involvement
which resulted in the creation of an exemplary document.
Specifically, the plan will be used to:
♦ Improve public safety in transportation
♦ Ensure that transportation projects provide full functionality to multiple types of travelers within and across
multiple local government jurisdictions
♦ Encourage coordination and common standards among the City of Bozeman, Gallatin County, and State of
Montana
♦ Provide a well founded, cost effective, and fair basis for regulatory requirements
♦ Evaluate and prioritize the expenditure of public funds for improvements to existing/future roadways/
facilities
♦ Influence the preparation of individual transportation improvements
♦ Evaluate development proposals
♦ Determine the locations and types of new facilities, roadways, pedestrian paths, bike lanes, etc. to improve
transportation functions while increasing sustainability.
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6 Department of Planning & Community Development - Annual Report 2009
TAX INCREMENT FINANCE DISTRICTS
Urban Renewal in Bozeman
Montana Urban Renewal Law provides a tool for cities to redevelop areas of a municipality with documented
substandard and unsafe conditions (aka “blight”) as a way to improve the economic functionality and livability
of a delineated District. Bozeman has three Urban Renewal Districts: Downtown, North 7th Avenue and the
Northeast. Commonly called Tax Increment Finance (TIF) Districts, tax increment financing provides funding
for projects and programs that advance adopted goals and objectives for each District. Each District has a City
Commission appointed Board which implements the District Plan.
Created in 1995, the Downtown TIF District is the oldest of the three and is administered through a
partnership with the Downtown Business Association (DBA) and the Business Improvement District (BID).
Known as the Downtown Business Partnership (DBP), Executive Director Chris Naumann guides and
coordinates projects and programs recommended by the DBA, BID and TIF District Boards. TIF funds were
the major source of funding for the Downtown Parking Garage which opened in 2009. The benches, bike
racks and trash cans within the Downtown District, are paid for with TIF funds. Additional information about
the DBP can be found at www.downtownbozeman.org.
The Boards of Bozeman’s two newest Districts, the North 7th Avenue and the Northeast, made great progress
in 2009 addressing their District goals and objectives. The North 7th Urban Renewal Board (NSURB) hired
Allied Engineering to assess the N. 7th Avenue corridor. To date, Allied Engineering has provided several
project recommendations, one of which was awarded additional funding by the City Commission under House
Bill 645. This summer, residents will begin to see the installation of much needed sidewalk sections along N.
7th Avenue. The NSURB also directed Assistant Planner, Keri Thorpe, to create a redevelopment incentive
program to spur interest in the redevelopment of parcels along N. 7th Avenue. Known as N7Rehab, Planner
Thorpe will present the final draft of this program to the City Commission this winter. Interested parties
should contact Keri Thorpe at (406) 582-2260 for more information.
The Northeast Urban Renewal Board (NURB) combined TIF funds with a Park Improvement Grant and
House Bill 645 funding to move forward on park improvements for a small tract of City parkland at the
intersection of Ida, Front and Aspen streets. Known as Depot Park, residents will see landscaping
improvements, benches, picnic tables and a climbing boulder installed this summer. The NURB also partnered
with the MSU Community Design Center to begin work on a vision document for the District. The Board
continues to identify District projects which fall under one of two categories: 1) Parks, Trails and Greenspace
and 2) Infrastructure (missing curb, gutter, sidewalk and storm water control).
To learn more about the North 7th Avenue and Northeast Urban Renewal District Plans and Boards visit the
Advisory Board link from the City website at www.bozeman.net.
Left: Lindley House prior to
restoration.
Right: Lindley House after
restoration completed in
2009; received a Historic
Preservation Award
nomination.
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7 Department of Planning & Community Development - Annual Report 2009
DOWNTOWN BOZEMAN IMPROVEMENT PLAN
A healthy downtown is key to overall community health, economic prosperity, and character. The Department
of Planning partnered with the Downtown Bozeman Partnership to develop a neighborhood plan for
Bozeman’s historic downtown. A comprehensive downtown neighborhood plan was identified as a task to
complete in the Bozeman 2020 Community Plan. A neighborhood plan is a plan prepared for a portion of the
community area. A smaller plan allows the investigation of more detailed issues which might be unique to the
defined area and be burdensome to examine in a community wide planning process. All neighborhood plans
must be in conformance with the goals of the overall growth policy of the City.
In late 2008, several professional architecture and planning consultants were reviewed and considered to
complete the downtown neighborhood plan. LMN Architects from Seattle, Washington were selected by an
advisory committee. LMN teamed with Leland Consulting Group, TD&H Engineering and High Plains
Architects in the preparation of the plan.
The unexpected and devastating downtown explosion delayed the start of the planning process and also
highlighted downtown’s importance to the Bozeman community. The team first met with various downtown
stakeholders (business owners, government officials, non-profit organizations, etc) to obtain relevant current
practices and background information for the plan. The team also photographed and studied the downtown
area during their visit. Additionally, the consulting team held presentations where all members of the public
were invited to comment on the downtown area and make suggestions for its future growth and development.
The first draft of the “Downtown Bozeman Improvement Plan” was released in June 2009. Its underlying
goal is to provide guidance and direction for future development that solidifies downtown Bozeman’s place in
the community and the Gallatin region. The plan takes a broad approach and identifies strengths and
weaknesses of the existing downtown Bozeman area. The plan addresses three major issues: the revitalization
of downtown; the attraction of stable businesses, residents, and visitors, and; the creation of a tax base to
support the community, its amenities, and services.
Revisions were debated and incorporated into the plan throughout the public review process. On December
14, 2009, the City Commission approved the “Downtown Bozeman Improvement Plan” as a neighborhood
plan. Formal adoption of the plan is occurred on January 25, 2010 by Resolution #4230.
You can review a copy of the “Downtown Bozeman Improvement Plan,” at the website: http://
www.downtownbozeman.org/downtown-improvement-plan.html
2009 ACCOMPLISHMENTS
The Department of Planning and Community Development engages in a multitude of activities to assist the Commission
and other departments in achieving land use planning and community development goals. This continues to be an
ongoing process and in 2009 these activities included:
♦ Completed development of and received City Commission approval for; Bozeman Community Plan, Greater
Bozeman Area Transportation Plan (2007 Update), Bozeman Economic Development Plan, and the
Downtown Bozeman Improvement Plan;
♦ Story Mansion conditional use permit was completed and the mansion opened for use by the public;
♦ Continue Planning Partnerships With School District 7 and MSU;
♦ Continued Staffing of Tax Increment Finance District Boards for North 7th Avenue and the Northeast
Urban Renew District including project and program development;
♦ Significant revisions to Title 18 BMC (the Unified Development Ordinance) to bring into conformance
with the newly adopted Bozeman Community Plan, Downtown Bozeman Improvement Plan, Climate
Protection Action Plan, revisions to state law by the 2009 Legislature, and to support sustainability;
♦ Coordinated Planning efforts with Gallatin County and Belgrade furthered through Section 201 Grant
Application, to include possible Interlocal Agreements;
♦ Began in-house process development to update the Historic Resources Inventory;
♦ Completion of parkland resolutions for Centennial, Burke, Story Mansion, and Soroptomist parks
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8 Department of Planning & Community Development - Annual Report 2009
2010 WORK PLAN
Major program activities in the Department of Planning and Community Development in 2010 will include:
♦ Implementation of the recently adopted Bozeman Community Plan; Bozeman Area Economic Develop-
ment Plan; and the Downtown Bozeman Neighborhood Plan (in conjunction with Downtown Bozeman
Partnership);
♦ Organize Second Annual City Officials Bus Tour to focus on commercial and industrial properties;
♦ Begin the consultant selection process for updating of the City’s Water, Sewer, Fire, and Transportation im-
pact fees;
♦ Continue Planning Partnerships With School District 7 and MSU;
♦ Continued Staffing of Tax Increment Finance District Boards;
♦ Coordinated Planning efforts with Gallatin County and Belgrade furthered through Section 201 Grant, to
include a joint evaluation of development with the ‘Triangle’ between Bozeman, Belgrade, and Four Corners;
♦ Revisions to Title 18 BMC (the Unified Development Ordinance) in accordance with direction from the
City Commission, to include continued improvements to implement adopted long range plans;
♦ Continue in-house Historic Resources Inventory including pursuit of grant funding opportunities;
♦ Fee Schedule Update, especially for sign permits and to reflect changes in noticing requirements.
The Department anticipates the above-described Work Program for 2010 can be carried out with current staffing levels.
PLANNING DIRECTOR RETIREMENT
After 22 years of exemplary service for the City of Bozeman, Andrew Epple retired from his position as Director for the
City of Bozeman, Department of Planning and Community Development. A retirement reception was held in his honor
at the Bozeman Public Library where he was presented with a plaque to commemorate his years of service with the De-
partment. The Community was invited to attend the gathering and exhibited that his hard work was greatly appreciated
and that he would be missed.
Planning Director Epple addressing attendees of his retirement party. City Manager Chris Kukulski presenting commemorative plaque. Project Engineer II Bob Murray saying farewell to Director Epple.
THANKS FOR 22 YEARS OF HARD WORK AND DEDICATION!!
DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT STAFF
From left to right: Top row. Dave Skelton, Chris Saunders, Andy Epple, Tara Hastie, Brian Krueger, Doug Riley.
Bottom row; Allyson Bristor, Keri Thorpe, Vicki Hasler, Courtney Kramer.
Director Epple imparting a few words of wisdom at the Director Epple making his last presentation to Staff.
annual Staff Retreat..
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