Bozeman City Commission Regular Meeting - March 10, 2026

The Bozeman City Commission met on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Commission Room at City Hall. Commissioners Jennifer Madgic, Douglas Fischer, Emma Bode, and Alison Sweeney were present; Mayor Joey Morrison was excused. The meeting covered the approval of a community engagement plan for the Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District (NCOD) Design Guidelines Update, a work session on the Fiscal Years 2027-31 Capital Improvements Plan (CIP), and public comments on non-agenda items.

Consent Calendar

• Unanimously approved Consent Items H1 through H7 (4-0), which included Accounts Payable Claims Review, cancellation of the March 17, 2026 regular meeting, grant application authorization, professional services agreements for the Climate Ready Landscape Academy and Bogert Pool renovation, an amendment for North 27th Avenue improvements, and a resolution for a Special Improvement Lighting District. Items H.8 (L Street Annexation Resolution) and I.1 (related zoning ordinance) were pulled from the agenda and will be rescheduled for a future meeting with a full commission.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Daniel Carty (Bozeman resident) opposed the December 16, 2025 decision allowing 90-foot buildings by right in B-3 zoning districts, arguing it would harm the downtown core and historic neighborhoods, exacerbate parking problems, and provide no community benefits like affordable housing. He urged the commission to revert the height limit to 70 or 60 feet to match B-3C zoning.
• Jim Webster (Bozeman resident, BonTon neighborhood) reported that a survey by the Inter-Neighborhood Cooperation (INC) showed 83% of 428 respondents supported pausing development for one year through interim zoning, and 84% supported a letter to the city for a public hearing on the issue. He noted that 68% of respondents outside the NCOD also supported interim zoning.
• Marcia Kaveney (Bozeman resident) thanked the commission for removing the L Street annexation item and raised concerns about the Guthrie 2 demolition application, which is under legal review, questioning the validity of allowing tree removal as part of a disputed site plan. She also urged consideration of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act regarding tree removals during nesting season.

Discussion Items

• Approval of the Community Engagement Plan for the NCOD Design Guidelines Update: Deputy Director of Community Development Rebecca Harbage and Senior Vice President of Lakota Group Siraj Asfahani presented the plan, which aims to update the 20-year-old design guidelines for the NCOD (covering several historic neighborhoods around downtown). Key goals include clearer language, objective standards, visual examples, and predictability. The plan outlines multiple engagement methods: neighborhood focus groups, online surveys, walking tours, pop-ups, and open houses. Commissioners discussed ensuring representative participation, especially from renters and younger residents, and the need for unbiased survey methodologies. Commissioner Sweeney unsuccessfully attempted to amend the project goals to include "natural environment" and to require Lakota Group members on all walking tours; both amendments failed (1-3 and 1-3, respectively). The main motion passed 4-0.
• Fiscal Years 2027-31 Recommended Capital Improvements Plan (CIP): Finance Director Melissa Hodnett presented updates to the CIP, originally heard in December 2025. Key changes included updated cost estimates for the Bogert Pool renovation ($3.1 million) and Lindley Center ($2.5 million), a $700,000 scope increase for the Base Hydraulic Phase 1 project (which moved Phase 2 to 2040, saving $16 million), and new estimates for the enterprise data system replacement (Edge), totaling $6.5 million for core financials, HR, permitting, and utility billing software components. Transportation Engineering Director Nick Ross addressed safety concerns following a recent pedestrian fatality on Oak Street, noting that staff is maximizing current transportation funding and that no CIP projects could be deferred to add safety improvements without additional revenue. Commissioner Bode requested a future work session on pedestrian and bicycle safety infrastructure. Commissioner Madgic inquired about the unscheduled local street reconstruction program, which has been paused due to lack of funding from special improvement districts.

Key Outcomes

• Vote 1 (4-0): Authorized the absence of Mayor Joey Morrison.
• Vote 2 (4-0): Approved the regular meeting minutes from January 27, February 3, 2026, and January 7, 2025.
• Vote 3 (4-0): Approved Consent Items H1 through H7.
• Vote 4 (1-3): Failed a motion to amend the NCOD community engagement plan goals to include "natural environment."
• Vote 5 (1-3): Failed a motion to require Lakota Group members on all walking conversation tours.
• Vote 6 (4-0): Approved the Community Engagement Plan for the NCOD Design Guidelines Update as presented.
• Next Steps: The CIP will be brought back for final adoption on March 24, 2026. The commission will schedule a work session on pedestrian and bicycle safety. Commissioner Sweeney requested that an architectural inventory survey update be discussed at a future commission priority work session.