Bozeman Landmark Program

Along with the infographic below that gives high level information on the survey that we had this past summer, please see the links below for all responses in graph format and Excel. These responses are assisting us with the report that will come out winter 2025. In the meantime, take a look at the initial guidance report that we put out early October.

Excel Results

PDF Results

Map Results

The project team has released an Initial Guidance Report as part of the first phase of the Landmark Program project. This report outlines preliminary recommendations based on community input, research, and data collection. The recommendations are high-level, as the team is seeking feedback to shape the final report, which is expected in winter 2025. The final report will guide the project team into phase 2 and put the recommendations into action and develop policy and amend code as needed.

Work sessions with the Historic Preservation Advisory Board, Community Development Board, and City Commission are scheduled to review and provide feedback on the report. Check out the key dates to the right for meeting details!

Click here to access the Initial Guidance Report.

Thanks again to those who participated in our survey. See the infographic below that summarizes some of the responses.

At the September meeting of the Historic Preservation Advisory Board (HPAB), city staff presented an overview of the history of the city’s historic preservation program, the creation and purpose of the Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District (NCOD), and a general introduction to overlay districts. This presentation was intended to prepare HPAB for the October work session with the consultant team as part of Phase 1 of the Bozeman Landmark Program.

There has been significant discussion about the NCOD, its role in this project, and its future. Previous reports from 2015 and 2019 provided recommendations on the NCOD. This project includes evaluating the future of the NCOD and its relevance to the broader historic preservation efforts beyond its current boundaries.

Bozeman has changed considerably since 1991, and the use of overlay districts has evolved alongside it. Understanding the origins of the NCOD and the role of overlay districts in historic preservation, neighborhood character, and community growth is essential as we progress with this project.

What is an overlay district?

A land management tool that allows communities to tailor development regulations to specific areas based on local priorities. These districts often address concerns like historic preservation, environmental protection, contextual development, corridor design, amongst many others, and provide a more nuanced approach to zoning compared to traditional, uniform regulations. The specifics of an overlay district are detailed in zoning codes and can vary depending on the district's goals.

How does an overlay district differ from a historic district?

Bozeman's historic districts are part of the National Register of Historic Places, a federal program that recognizes sites of historic significance. This designation is voluntary and does not restrict changes or demolitions unless a local preservation program imposes such restrictions. In Bozeman, both overlay districts and historic districts exist, serving different purposes and functions.

How is Bozeman's NCOD enforced?

Bozeman's NCOD is enforced under section 38.340 of the Bozeman Municipal Code. Any changes, new construction, or demolitions within the NCOD require a certificate of appropriateness application. Part of this project involves making amendments to section 38.340 of the Bozeman Municipal Code. These amendments will be based on the outcomes of Phase 1, which includes community engagement, advisory board work sessions, and direction from the City Commission.

How are overlay districts created?

Creating an overlay district involves a zone map amendment to establish a boundary and specific regulations for that area. The City Commission ultimately adopts the overlay district.

For additional information about overlay districts and various models, you can watch the HPAB meeting video.

What a couple of months of community engagement we have had! We truly appreciate everyone who has participated. Just a reminder, the survey closes on Sunday, September 15. The more data and input we have, the better. Please take a moment to fill out the survey. https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/c3409cb6ecc14dccb2e7c426786ee1af

We're wrapping up our community engagement to gather initial feedback on the historic preservation program. Join us for our final in-person event at the Lindley Park Farmers Market on Tuesday, September 3, from 5-8 PM. We’d love to hear your thoughts!

And don't forget, the survey is open until September 15. We have received over 200 responses so far so thanks to everyone who has taken it. Your input it extremely valuable for the future of this project. https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/c3409cb6ecc14dccb2e7c426786ee1af

City staff will be at Lunch on the Lawn at the Emerson again tomorrow, Wednesday, July 31 from 11:30am-1:30pm to talk about the project. Come listen to some local music, get some delicious food, and come chat with us about the project. Hope to see you there!

We hope to be around town throughout August so be on the lookout for more events!

Back in May, the Historic Preservation Advisory Board took part in historic preservation board training from the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions (NAPC). The Commission Assistance and Mentoring Program (CAMP) brought three qualified preservation professionals to lead an all day training on different topics related to historic preservation such as preservation planning, identifying historic resources, and why historic preservation is important.

As part of this training, NAPC has granted us access to the "Why Preserve" presentation hosted by Adrian Scott Fine. This recording is available until September 30 and is about an hour long. You can view the presentation here.

Wow! What a week of engagement! Thank you all who came out to one of our community engagement events this past week. We had some wonderful conversations and loved listening to your stories. The engagement doesn't stop here though. If Bozeman's culture, heritage, and history is important to you and you have 5-10 minutes between now and when the survey closes on September 15, we would really appreciate hearing from you! The survey available in English and Spanish.

We hope to solidify a few more engagement events in August and will post them on this page. However, don't hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions. We are working on having a couple of more engagement events in August and will post them on here once they are solidified.

Take a look at some of the photos from our events!

Community engagement kicks off this week. We have a selection of different ways to participate between this week and next week. Take a look at the key dates on the right for more details. We hope to see you at one of them.

Also, remember to take our survey! Your input is very valuable. https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/c3409cb6ecc14dccb2e7c426786ee1af

The survey is open until September 15. If you have any questions or issues with it, please reach out to Sarah Rosenberg at srosenberg@bozeman.net