Bozeman BID Board Meeting – January 21, 2026 (Transcript Notes January 22)

Note: The meeting was held on the date provided (2026-01-21), but the transcript begins with the chair stating "Wednesday, January twenty second." This discrepancy is recorded for accuracy.

The Downtown Bozeman Business Improvement District (BID) Board convened to discuss the controversial B3 zoning height limit, receive updates on downtown parking, and complete annual ethics training. Key speakers included Deputy Mayor Douglas Fisher, BID Executive Director (ED) Ellie (last name not given), and public commenter Mr. Webster (South Central Association of Neighbors).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mr. Webster (South Central Association of Neighbors) expressed concerns about the B3 90-foot height limit in the Unified Development Code (UDC), stating it did not receive proper public notice. He raised questions about parking impacts and the potential loss of affordable housing funding (a proposed $1 million donation if building above 70 feet). He urged the board to pause implementation and foster community dialogue.

Discussion Items

• Deputy Mayor Douglas Fisher provided a detailed history of the B3 height issue: the original UDC draft allowed 90 feet, the city commission switched to 70 feet on December 2 (late at night after a six-hour meeting), then reverted to 90 feet at second reading. He stated that options to pause the UDC are extremely limited—only a court can do so—and that the commission majority prefers to let the code take effect February 1, gather issues over a few months, and then address them legislatively. He noted the B3C (Main Street core) is separate and capped at 60 feet.
• Board member Susan (first name not given) questioned the lack of a parking plan alongside increased density, emphasizing that parking discussions have been ongoing for years without resolution. She suggested linking height bonuses to parking or affordable housing contributions (e.g., a million-dollar donation to affordable housing, or parking SID funds).
• Board member Eric Bowman expressed support for height (90 feet), stating "Retail follows rooftops" and that height contributes to a vibrant downtown. He opposed linking height to affordable housing, calling it a "red herring," and argued parking standards should be independent of height.
• Board member Eric Nelson (appeared to agree with Bowman) said, "I'm not afraid of the height" and suggested staying the course with 90 feet, since it had been in UDC drafts from the beginning and the issue only arose at the last minute.
• Board member Alina (last name not given) echoed concerns about parking and affordable housing, but noted the aesthetic impact of buildings without setbacks. She supported exploring a variance system or parking SID model (referencing a $100,000 payment in the 1980s for a parking garage).
• Board member Mark (last name not given) emphasized the need for a parking plan "yesterday" and said affordable housing and parking are not directly linked to height, but the city must address them holistically.

Ethics Training

• The board completed annual ethics training led by staff (likely Elena). Scenarios covered conflicts of interest, misuse of public office, nepotism, and representing the board without authorization. Key takeaways: board members must disclose potential conflicts on the record, cannot speak on behalf of the board unless authorized, and should recuse themselves when necessary. The training concluded with a reminder to contact the city attorney's office (Greg Sullivan) with questions.

Executive Director (ED) Report

• ED Ellie reported:
  • Holiday decorations (spiders) sustained wind damage; insurance will cover repairs. Replacement of garland and bows is next priority.
  • A temporary maintenance employee (Russ) has been hired to assist.
• Parking Plan Update: Ellie provided an update on the downtown parking vision plan developed with Indigo West (funded by the Urban Renewal District). A data dashboard (parking occupancy, citations) is being built, but data collection is still limited (Monday–Friday only, started October). The plan is on track for release in summer/fall 2026. A working group (including BID, URD, DBA, and city staff) is engaged. The board agreed to delay publishing an RFP for a public-private parking partnership until July to explore a potential federal building site (proposed for a parking garage) – decision expected by June.
• Budget: The first draft of the FY27 budget (assessment rate) will be reviewed at the February board meeting.

Key Outcomes

• No formal votes were taken; the discussion was informational.
• The board expressed general support for letting the UDC (with 90-foot B3 height) take effect on February 1, with a plan to review impacts in a few months.
• The parking vision plan will continue with stakeholder interviews (audience insight step) and release expected summer/fall 2026.
• The RFP for additional parking supply was delayed until at least July 2026 pending a decision on the federal building site.
• The ED will prioritize finding a new city commission liaison (likely Jen Magic replaces Douglas Fisher).
• The next meeting (February) will include FY27 budget discussions.