Building our Future Together - Development Code Update

Our first Code Connect webinar will happen this Thursday, October 27th at 6:00pm. Join to hear the project team provide an update on their progress so far, discussing formatting of the updated UDC and changes to zoning districts, and answer any questions you might have.

Code Connect meetings will take place every other month throughout the course of the project, to inform the community about the project and gather input on proposed approaches.

Meeting information:

Topic: Bozeman UDC Update - Code Connect

Time: Oct 27, 2022 06:00 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85953798231

Meeting ID: 859 5379 8231

Dial in by phone: +1 719-359-4580 US

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kefGd6iFMq

Last week, part of our project team from Interboro Partners was in town conducting intercept activities across the city, and attending the Inter-Neighborhood Council meeting last Thursday. You might have seen them (and their bright green table!) at one of their many stops, including:

• Main Street & Rouse Ave at Soroptomist Park
• Gallatin County Regional Park
• Bozeman MADE Fair at MSU
• Langhor Community Garden
• Peets Hill and Burke Park

The team from Interboro, assisted by MSU architecture and planning students, spoke to over 120 people, receiving about 20 written comments and handing out more than 80 informational packets. Early takeaways from these events include:

• Affordability of living in Bozeman is a key concern
• Mobile home parks are one crucial affordable housing type
• Interest in more multi-household housing types with consideration for height and placement
• Interest in preserving the character of single-household neighborhoods
• Interest in encouraging a variety of housing types, including mixed-density neighborhoods

While we work to incorporate feedback received in the last few weeks, future opportunities to engage with the project team will be posted in advance on this site, as well as virtual versions of the in-person materials. As always, check back often or subscribe above to stay up-to-date!

Our second UDC-focused work session with the City Commission last week went well. Here's what we discussed:

• The consolidation of residential zoning districts, consistent with the Community Plan
• The overall approach to consolidating, removing, and changing existing districts in the code
• Height limits in commercial and mixed-use districts
• Zone edge transitions

The City Commission provided the following guidance to the project team:

• Pursue a bold approach to consolidating residential districts, potentially into as few as two districts ("Option A" in the supporting presentation)
• Explore increasing allowable building heights in some commercial districts, potentially in conjunction with new step-back requirements and transitions
• Create transition standards which better ensure the compatibility of adjacent zoning districts

Visit the City Commission page here to view the meeting recording and minutes (link).

Our first Code Connect webinar will happen on Thursday, October 27th at 6:00pm. Join to hear the project team provide an update on their progress so far discussing formatting of the updated UDC and changes to zoning districts, and answer any questions you might have.

Code Connect meetings will take place every other month throughout the course of the project, to inform the community about the project and gather input on proposed approaches.

Meeting information:

Topic: Bozeman UDC Update - Code Connect

Time: Oct 27, 2022 06:00 PM Mountain Time

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85953798231

Meeting ID: 859 5379 8231

Dial in by phone: +1 719-359-4580 US

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kefGd6iFMq

There are plenty of opportunities to get involved and engage with the project next month both virtually and in-person. More information can be found on this site. Keep an eye out for the following events and engagement opportunities:

Thurs. October 13th

Presentation and interactive engagement activity at Inter Neighborhood Council meeting.

• Time: 4:30-6pm
• Location: City Commission Meeting Rm @ City Hall - 121 N. Rouse Ave

Friday October 14th

Interactive engagement activity - find us out and about!

• 12-2pm: Main Street & Rouse Ave at Soroptomist Park
• 3-5pm: Gallatin County Regional Park

Saturday, October 15th

Interactive engagement activity - find us out and about!

• 9-11am: Bozeman MADE Fair at the Brick Breeden Field House at MSU
• 12-2pm: Langhor Community Garden
• 3-5pm: Peets Hill/Burke Park Parking lot

Tuesday, October 18th

City Commission work session on zoning districts

• Time: 6pm
• Location: Bozeman City Hall, and online at www.bozeman.net/meetings

Thursday, October 27th

Code Connect webinar - an hour-long event with plenty of time for Q&A to learn more about the project and hear our progress so far

• Time: 6:00pm
• Location: Online - link will be posted to engage.bozeman.net/udc

The project team had their first work session recently and got to tour some parts of our city. If you have ideas of other locations to examine as examples of what to do (or what not to do!) leave a comment on this page.

During the work session, the team also had conversations with stakeholder groups made up of local architects and developers. If you have a group of stakeholders who are interested in meeting with the project team, please reach out directly via email.

We had a productive first UDC-focused work session with the City Commission last week! Here's what we discussed:

• The use of colors and graphics to improve readability of the code
• Web hosting services to display the UDC online
• The consultant team’s opinion on the organization and order of the current UDC document
• The target audience for a revised UDC

The City Commission provided the following guidance to the project team:

• Prioritize robust public engagement to accurately interpret policies and ensure the UDC meets community needs
• Move forward with an illustrated, colorized, consolidated approach as presented in the meeting materials
• Ensure that changes to the document layout and organization prioritize affordability and ease-of-use

Visit the City Commission page here to view the meeting recording and minutes (link).

Our first engagement opportunity is coming up soon! The project team has a work session with City Commission next Tuesday, September 13. Our discussion will focus on formatting and organization of the new UDC document. Please join in person or online at https://www.bozeman.net/departments/city-commission/commission-meeting-video.