Commission directs staff to explore local sales tax advocacy, pre-approved building plans, and new revenue mechanisms to address $350,000 per-unit affordability gap
After a two-and-a-half-hour housing work session, commissioners outlined priorities ranging from state legislative advocacy for a local option sales tax to exploring pre-approved building plans and potential revenue bonds. Staff also presented data showing 394 people experiencing homelessness in Gallatin County—down from 523 the prior year—attributed to expanded shelter capacity, new affordable units, and coordinated services.
Advisory Board RoundupParks Board Grapples With Tree Canopy Goals, Budget Questions for Urban Forest Plan
The Urban Parks and Forestry Board spent its July 23 meeting reviewing a draft Urban Forest Management Plan that aims to guide the city's forest strategy over the next decade. Board members raised concerns about whether proposed canopy coverage targets are achievable without significant budget increases and questioned whether the plan adequately addresses tree protection in new developments.
Urban Parks and Forestry Board
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Board provides extensive feedback on Urban Forest Management Plan preliminary draft, focuses on canopy goals and implementation details
The Urban Parks and Forestry Board spent much of its July 23 meeting reviewing a 100-plus-page preliminary draft of the city's 10-year Urban Forest Management Plan, pressing consultants and staff on how aggressive canopy coverage goals would be funded and implemented, and whether the plan adequately addresses tree protection in new development.
Cemetery expands cremation options as ash burial project progresses
The Urban Parks and Forestry Board heard that Sunset Hills Cemetery has shifted dramatically toward cremations over three decades and is nearing completion of a veterans cemetery project that will offer in-ground ash burial lots by fall. The 73-acre facility has sufficient land to meet demand for the foreseeable future.
Board reviews master plan for 3.5-mile Cattail Creek Corridor Park trail
The Urban Parks and Forestry Board heard details about a proposed shared-use trail connecting existing parks along Cattail Creek from Valley Center Drive to Bozeman Pond Park. The plan prioritizes native vegetation restoration and community gathering spaces, with initial construction funding from development fees and federal grant opportunities.
Parks and Forestry Board approves 2026-27 work plan unanimously
The board aligned five focus areas with proposed projects including the Cattail Creek corridor anchor route and updates to the Urban Forest Management Plan. Preliminary findings show ash trees have declined significantly in the city's public tree canopy since 2016.
Parks board approves urban forest update plan with added review session
The Urban Parks and Forestry Board unanimously backed a community engagement strategy for updating the city's forest management plan, adding a fifth work session to allow better review of public feedback. The board also approved the Bikeville Community Park master plan after confirming environmental protections will be in place.