Bozeman's citizen advisory boards tackled preservation, transportation, and flood management during meetings held September 21 through 24, weighing competing policy priorities from development and affordability to public safety and environmental protection.
The Community Development Board heard an extensive update on Phase 2 of the Local Landmark Project, which would modernize the city's historic preservation program nearly 20 years after current design guidelines were adopted. Deputy Director Rebecca Harbage outlined proposed changes to demolition regulations, including mandatory historic inventory assessments for buildings over 50 years old outside the Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District and restructuring a two-year demolition stay into two consecutive one-year periods with stricter review criteria. Board members raised concerns about whether stricter regulations would actually preserve structures or simply delay development, with several members questioning whether financial incentives or public acquisition might be more effective than regulatory barriers alone. The city is recruiting a new historic preservation planner after losing staff earlier in 2026, and the design guidelines update is temporarily on hold.
The Transportation Board received a presentation on a draft community plan for a 3,000-acre growth area northwest of the city, which proposes a modified street grid designed to avoid wetlands and creeks required protection under the city's newly adopted wetland code. Board members emphasized the importance of active transportation connections, particularly east-west trails. The board also began initial framework discussions on updating city policies governing electric bikes, scooters, and other e-devices in the public right-of-way. Transportation Engineer Taylor Lonsdale posed a central question for future deliberation: should regulations target the device itself or the user's behavior? Board members highlighted challenges with enforcement and suggested leveraging community partners like the Gallatin Valley Land Trust for education rather than relying solely on citations. The city aims to present proposals to the City Commission in December, with first reading of revised ordinances in January.
The Urban Parks and Forestry Board heard details on the Bozeman Creek Vision Plan, a comprehensive strategy to address flooding while creating public amenities. The plan proposes increasing the creek's flood-carrying capacity from 200 to 1,250 cubic feet per second through three major park projects at City Hall, along Rouse Street, and at Bogert Park, alongside an expanded Mill Ditch. The city has allocated $150,000 for fiscal year 2027 to develop a 10-year implementation plan, with construction funding expected to come from state and federal grants. The board also reviewed the Urban Forest Management Plan in Phase 3, with final recommendations targeted for February 25.