The Community Development Board met October 19, 2026, to review two special presentations affecting Bozeman's future growth and water management, though the board took no formal votes as neither item was scheduled for action.
Chris Naumann of Sambaa presented a draft area plan for approximately 3,000 acres northwest of the city limits, an area within the city's planning boundary for decades. The plan, directed by the City Commission, aims to provide long-range guidance as the city builds infrastructure, particularly a sanitary sewer lift station to serve the region. The framework identifies five key planning elements: natural resources including creeks, irrigation ditches, wetlands, and steep slopes; public infrastructure for sewer, water, stormwater, and transportation; active transportation networks; future land uses; and potential development. The plan proposes shifting some commercial mixed-use nodes compared to the 2017 Transportation Master Plan and relocating residential corridors to better align with anticipated infrastructure. Board members and residents from Laurel Glen and neighboring areas raised questions about neighborhood character, wildlife corridors, park planning, road feasibility near wetlands, and traffic impacts on existing roads like Durston. The plan is scheduled for a public hearing before the board on November 16 and City Commission consideration for adoption on December 15.
Utilities Director Sean Coates introduced an analysis updating the city's cash-in-lieu water rights fee, unchanged since 2008 at $6,000 per acre-foot. Westwater Research recommended a fee range of $11,600 to $14,500 per acre-foot with a midpoint of $13,000, resulting in approximately $3,000 per single-family home. Board members inquired about drought resilience and phasing in the increase. Chair Ben Lloyd suggested the board might recommend a phased approach rather than a single increase. The fee update requires City Commission action.