FAQs
What is the history of the City of Bozeman’s Historic Preservation Program?
The historic preservation movement began in 1978 with the creation of Bozeman’s first National Historic District, the South Willson Historic District (now Bon Ton Historic District). Additional efforts to document over 3,000 properties from 1984 and 1986 helped create nine historic districts and over 40 individually listed properties on the National Register of Historic Places. In present day, Bozeman has ten National Historic Districts and 47 individually listed properties. Under Ordinance 1180, a Historic Preservation Advisory Commission (now Historic Preservation Advisory Board) and the Historic Preservation Officer staff position was created to coordinate the preservation program. In 1991, under Ordinance 1332, the Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District and historic preservation ordinance were created.
Who is the Historic Preservation Advisory Board?
The Historic Preservation Advisory Board (HPAB) is made up of seven community members, three of which must meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualification Standards in historic preservation-related disciplines. Additionally, one member must be a registered architect and one must live in or own property in a Bozeman historic district. HPAB is charged with establishing a local historic preservation program, integrating historic preservation into local, state and federal planning and decision-making processes, identifying, evaluating and protecting historic resources within Bozeman, and educating the general public about historic preservation. Some ways HPAB does that is by assisting in survey efforts of properties, hosting Historic Preservation Month, and weighing in on policy work related to the historic preservation program. They are not a design review board that reviews permit applications, but they can provide comments to City Commission and staff just as all members of the public can.
What is the Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District?
The Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District (NCOD) is a boundary created in 1991 based on what Bozeman’s city limits were in 1954 and from the survey efforts that occurred in the 1980s. When it was created, it was one of the largest conservation overlay districts in the country. A conservation overlay district is placed over existing zoning districts but it does not change allowed uses or development standards in the underlying zoning district. However, it does add additional level of planning review when exterior changes are made, new construction is planned, or a building is proposed to be demolished through the Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) application.
It is the intent and purpose of the NCOD to stimulate the restoration of historic structures while also encouraging new construction that enhances and contributes to the aesthetic character of the property and the surrounding area. As noted in Bozeman Municipal Code section 38.340.010.C, contemporary design will be encouraged in the NCOD as an acknowledged fact of the continuing development pattern of a dynamic, changing community, provided it is in keeping with the above criteria. It is also the purpose of the NCOD to protect and enhance areas of significant land planning or architectural character, historic landmarks or other built or natural features for the educational, cultural, economic benefit or enjoyment of citizens of the city.
What does the NCOD and Historic Preservation policy enforce and how is it different from zoning?
Within the NCOD, any exterior changes to an existing structure, demolition of a structure, or new construction requires a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) application. The policies outlined for COA review are in Section 38.340, Overlay District and Historic Preservation standards of the Bozeman Municipal Code. There are different levels of COA review based on whether or not the structure is an individual landmark or a contributing structure within a historic district. Not all buildings in the NCOD qualify as historic. The Secretary of Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties and the Bozeman Design Guidelines for Historic Preservation and the NCOD are also used when reviewing properties within the NCOD which is more about aesthetic and architectural regulation. COA applications are reviewed administratively by City Staff.
Zoning is a set of regulations that defines how a property can and cannot be used (i.e. setbacks, building height, allowable uses). There are many different zone districts within the NCOD. Part of the Bozeman Landmark Program project will look at the effectiveness of the NCOD and how it relates to zoning.
Why is the City doing the Bozeman Landmark Program project?
Reports evaluating the NCOD were prepared in both 2015 and 2019 that note the successes of the historic preservation program but also recommend changes to better align with community goals and national trends. These reports prompted a reassessment of the NCOD effectiveness and historic preservation program.
In recent years, the field of historic preservation has broadened to recognize it is more than simply preserving and recognizing old buildings and conventional historic events and persons. This project seeks to revise the existing preservation policy and craft a local landmark program with a focus on culture and heritage. Rather than solely focusing on place, it also focuses on the people and weaves in the stories and meanings of the places and traditions that matter to people and the different parts of our community. It goes beyond aesthetics and beauty of a structure to expand on intangible heritage such as culture, food, music, art, and traditions. This project will also be looking at the entire city and is not confined to just the NCOD boundary.
Traditional historic preservation practices and policies are often looked at as an extra hurdle, but it can be an essential tool that can be part of the solution for the problems we face in the changing world. This project seeks to expand the existing historic preservation program so that it can be more relevant to tell our community’s story but also support efforts like affordable housing, climate action, economic development, and public health.
What is a Local Landmark Program?
Rather than just recognizing places, people, or other historic resources that need to have National significance to be considered a landmark or a district, a local landmark can be more specific to a community that may not be recognized as significant at the national level. It is created by a local ordinance with its own set of criteria and designation process that is run at the local level. It can be more than a building and can help create strategies and initiatives that focus on people, culture, and heritage of a place.
Typically, to be designated as a Local Landmark or District, a property owner(s) submits an application, and it is reviewed by local authority. Local authority can be a Historic Preservation Commission or City Commission. Landmark status does not mean that alterations cannot be applied to a property but it can enforce additional protections or parameters.
Does this project relate to the UDC update that is occurring?
This project is entirely separate from the UDC update. Although the NCOD and historic preservation standards are within Chapter 38 of the UDC, the UDC update is not expected to conduct any changes to Chapter 38.340, Overlay District and Historic Preservation standards. For more information on the UDC update, visit the UDC’s Engage Bozeman page.