Building our Future Together - Development Code Update

Staff and the project team have completed the draft code and are getting the word out to the public through open houses ahead of the public review process. The public review process includes the presentation and discussion of the draft code to the Community Development Board and City Commission in a series of public meetings and public hearings.

From this point on, your input can be shared directly with these decision makers. The Community Development Board has the authority to act as the city's Zoning Commission and Planning Board. The final decision maker on the UDC is the City Commission after they consider recommendations from the Community Development Board and your public comment.

Submit public comment by emailing agenda@bozeman.net or attending a meeting virtually or in person to provide your comment in real time. All of the information and meeting details for upcoming Community Development Board and City Commission meetings are at bozeman.net/meetings.

See the "Key Dates" section for upcoming meetings on the right side of this page!

The formal public notice that has been published in the newspaper and city website is also in the "Code Documents" section.

The public review process will kick off with a series of Open Houses – two this week, and one virtual session next week, where folks can learn more about the overall code update process and how to stay involved:

• Aug 23rd – Fire Station 3 Community Room, 1705 Vaquero Way, 5:30-7:30pm
• Aug 24th – City Hall (City Commission Room), 121 N. Rouse, 11:30am-1:30pm
• Aug 28th – Virtual - Join Zoom meeting 6:00-7:00pm

A big thanks to the Bozeman community for all of the time and energy that has gone into this project!

The project team is pleased to announce that the Draft Development Code and updated Zoning Map are available for review!

Draft Development Code

Draft Revised Zoning Map

Guide to Key Changes

The public process will kick off with a series of events in the next few weeks, where you'll be able to learn more about the overall code update process and how to stay involved:

• Aug 23rd – Fire Station 3 Community Room, 1705 Vaquero Way, 5:30-7:30pm
• Aug 24th – City Hall (City Commission Room), 121 N. Rouse, 11:30am-1:30pm
• Aug 28th – Virtual: click here to join (External link), 6:00-7:00pm

A big thanks to the Bozeman community for all of the time and energy that has gone into this project!

A new development code is taking shape! Join the City of Bozeman Community Development staff and the Code Studio project team at an upcoming Open House to get acquainted with the proposed layout, new zoning districts & map, transition standards, as well as the upcoming adoption process and schedule.

• Aug 23rd – 1705 Vaquero Way (Fire Station 3) Community Room, 5:30-7:30pm
• Aug 24th – City Commission room, 121 N. Rouse Ave, 11:30-1:30pm
• Aug 28th – Virtual: Click here to join the meeting, 6:00-7:00pm

Over the next few months, you can leave your official comments:

• By emailing agenda@bozeman.net,
• By filling out the city's online form, or
• By speaking at a public meeting.

The code adoption process will formally begin next month with a public hearing by the Community Development Board, followed by the City Commission, with meeting dates available on the city's website. The project team will poste information about those meetings on the project website as well, so be sure to check back often.

For general questions about the project or specific items in the draft code, please visit the "Questions" tab on this project website, where the project team will do their best to provide clarification. Please note that while questions submitted via this Engage.Bozeman site will be monitored, these questions will not be considered official public comment.

As the UDC project approaches the public review and adoption process beginning next month, the project team has prepared a summary of their engagement efforts over the course of the UDC update. This report, available as a pdf at the link below, analyzes the hundreds of comments received at in-person and virtual engagement opportunities throughout the fall of 2022 and spring of 2023.

Click here to view the UDC project engagement report

The draft updated UDC will be released for public review in early August, with multiple public sessions scheduled throughout the summer and fall. After a period of public review, the formal adoption process will begin in September, with the goal of adopting the updated code before the end of the year. Links to virtual meetings and information about in-person sessions will be posted on this site in advance, so be sure to check back here often. Thank you for staying involved!

Are you curious about the UDC project team's past community engagement efforts? Do you want to revisit engagement materials, or just learn more about the various topics the project will touch on?

The project team has added digital versions of all past engagement materials and informational pamphlets to the project site, under the "Presentation Materials" heading on the sidebar.

Estos materiales también están disponibles en español - mire al lado derecho de la página, titulado "Folletos de Participación".

Thank you all for your feedback and participation over the last several months! While the UDC online engagement surveys are now closed, the project team will stay busy analyzing responses and continuing to draft the code - and you can continue to provide your input and participate in the process.

The project team aims to have a draft of the updated UDC released for public review in July. At that point, the City Commission, advisory boards, and members of the public will have the opportunity to review the draft code and engagement summary, and provide guidance to the project team as they refine their work.

The adoption process will take place over the summer and fall of this year, and will include multiple Code Connect webinars, public meetings of the Commission and advisory boards, plus an open house in August to kick off the next phase of the UDC update. The formal review and adoption process at the advisory boards and City Commission will begin in September/October, with the goal of reaching adoption before the end of the year.

Continue to check back on this page often for notice of these meetings, engagement events, and to review the draft code.

Surveys will close after next Wednesday, May 31, so be sure to read up and share your responses soon!

As part of the ongoing Development Code Update, we are continuing to gather community input on the topics that City Commission has provided broad direction on. Check out the pamphlets at bozeman-code.net and provide feedback on the topics that matter most to you - including those shown above and more!

We're also looking to hear from folks who live in apartment buildings about private outdoor spaces. The City requires developers to provide individual or shared areas so apartment residents have a place to recreate or relax. These spaces come in a number of configurations and may include a porch, balcony, gym, playground, or other common space inside or outside. Share you thoughts in the survey (external link)!

Your input will help inform the draft code that addresses each topic. Code drafts will then be considered again by the Community Development Board and City Commission throughout the spring and summer as we move toward adoption of the UDC at the end of the year.

Another new set of pamphlets has been added to our online engagement activity! New topics include Vehicle Parking and Bike Parking. We are continuing to gather community input on the topics that City Commission has provided broad direction on. Check out the new pamphlets at bozeman-code.net and provide feedback on the topics that matter most to you - including those shown above and more!

We're also looking to hear from folks who live in apartment buildings about private outdoor spaces. The City requires developers to provide individual or shared areas so apartment residents have a place to recreate or relax. These spaces come in a number of configurations and may include a porch, balcony, gym, playground, or other common space inside or outside. Share you thoughts in the survey (external link)!

Your input will help inform the draft code that addresses each topic. Code drafts will then be considered again by the Community Development Board and City Commission throughout the spring and summer as we move toward adoption of the UDC at the end of the year.

As a reminder, surveys will close after May 31, so be sure to read up and share your responses soon!

The UDC Update project team had a very productive work session with the city's Community Development Board this Monday, May 1st, focused on the following topics:

• Parking regulations
• Residential zoning district metrics
• Converting some B-2 districts to B-2M

To see the recording of the meeting: click this link.

To see the team's presentation slides:

• Click here for the Parking-related slides.
• Click here for the Zoning District-related slides.