Bozeman CDB Meeting April 6, 2026: Water Plan, Landmark Update, PCC Appointment
Bozeman Community Development Board Meeting – April 6, 2026
The Community Development Board (CDB) met on Monday, April 6, 2026, at 6:00 pm MDT to discuss a consent item, two special presentations, an action item to appoint a board representative, public comments on a non‑agenda item, and FYI items. All six present members voted unanimously on each agenda item. Board members were Joey Morrison (Chair), Erik Bonnett, Jason Delmue, Mark Egge, Lauren Mitro, and Chris Egnatz (arrived after roll call). Ben Lloyd was excused.
Consent Calendar
- Gran Cielo Phase 3 Major Subdivision (Preliminary Plat) – Application 25703: A 42‑lot subdivision (single‑family and townhouse/rowhouse) on 6.69 acres zoned R‑5, located northwest of South 27th Avenue and Bennett Boulevard. The board approved the consent item 6‑0 after a brief discussion clarifying that the project is reviewed under the old UDC, but individual lots will be subject to the new UDC at the building‑permit stage. Chair Morrison confirmed that minimum density requirements under R‑5 (old UDC) are being met.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Heather Higgs (city resident) – Opposed the proposed RB (high‑density) zoning for the Hanson Lane annexation parcel (Oak–Durston area), arguing that RA (medium‑density) is consistent with the growth policy and surrounding single‑family development pattern (≤ 6 units/acre). She noted that the site lacks transit and close community services and that RB would permit buildings over 40 feet.
- Mike Roser (resident) – Cautioned against piecemeal zoning and development. He urged the board to consider the Fowler Road extension as part of a comprehensive plan for the area, including impacts on traffic, green space, setbacks, and storm drainage.
- Laurie Wallace (Harvest Creek HOA member) – Described the proposed Fowler Avenue connector and requested that no annexation be approved without definitive traffic‑calming measures to protect student safety near Emily Dickinson Elementary School. She stated that RA zoning provides sufficient housing diversity and that RB/R3 is inappropriate.
- Tom Gate (resident, since 1976) – Acknowledged the need for housing but urged balance; he supported considering the Fowler Road project in the full county context and called for traffic calming on Annie Street.
- Mary Frances McHugh (Harvest Creek property owner) – Argued that RA is the most appropriate designation for the small parcel, that RB would allow 45‑foot‑tall buildings that tower over adjacent single‑family homes, and that RB is inconsistent with the urban neighborhood designation.
Special Presentations
- Integrated Water Resource Plan (IWRP) Update – Presented by Utilities Director Shawn Kohtz. The 50‑year water supply plan, originally adopted in 2013, is being updated to address changing needs. Highlights include: a technical and a public advisory committee both ranked environmental criteria as the top screening factor; a community survey (> 700 respondents) found > 90% rated reliable water as very important, 83% stressed responsible growth management, and 70% emphasized irrigation efficiency. The city has realized 1,334 acre‑feet of water supply expansion and saved nearly 1,600 acre‑feet through conservation since 2013. Next steps: water‑advisory committee review of 40 supply alternatives, followed by a second round of community engagement. The board asked about conservation incentives (existing rebate program and developer credits) and how a low‑snowpack winter would affect work (planning began three years ago).
- Landmark Program and Design Guidelines Update – Presented by Chris Saunders. Two related projects: (1) The local landmark program (phase 2) is developing a framework for voluntary/regulatory designations both inside and outside the NCOD. (2) The NCOD design guidelines (last updated 2006) are being updated for clarity and best practices. Upcoming engagement: open house April 13 (6–8 pm, Bozeman Event Space) and HPAB meeting April 15. Board members discussed the relationship between the two projects, whether NCOD boundaries might change, and how code updates can support restoration/rehabilitation (e.g., setback relief, administrative deviations).
Action Items
- Selection of CDB Representative to Planning Coordinating Committee (PCC) – Chris Egnatz was appointed 6‑0 to fill the board’s seat on the PCC, a tri‑jurisdictional communication and data‑sharing body (Bozeman, Belgrade, Four Corners). The PCC meets about six times per year. Board discussion clarified the PCC’s role versus the MPO (Metropolitan Planning Organization) and the opportunity for the representative to bring topics back to the CDB.
Key Outcomes
- Votes (all 6‑0):
- Approved the February 23, 2026 meeting minutes.
- Approved the Gran Cielo Phase 3 preliminary plat (consent item).
- Appointed Chris Egnatz as the CDB’s representative to the PCC.
- Next Meetings: The CDB will next meet April 20, 2026, with a public hearing on the Hanson Lane Annexation ZMA (zone‑map amendment) and a presentation from Economic Development Director Britt Funno.
- FYI Items: The board received the City Commission’s 2026‑2027 priorities and welcomed new Associate Long‑Range Planner Collin Mieras.
Meeting Transcript
Disclosures. How about are there any uh changes to the agenda? No changes to the agenda. Any uh public service announcements. Uh I have a couple. Um they're both regarding uh podcasts, local podcasts. One is called the Bozeman Brief Podcast that uh our member A put together. It's an AI summary of city meetings. It's uh very informative and efficient, and uh I'd have a call to action, please of our board members here to please listen to the one that comes out for tonight's meeting, uh hopefully soon while it's still fresh, and uh evaluate both what is included for accuracy and also try to remember the meeting and assess if anything important was not included. I'm sure uh member Aggie would find it helpful if we gave him some feedback. Um we have uh a new joine here. Go ahead, introduce yourself to the room, please. Uh Chris Eggnantz reporting in for duty. Um the other uh podcast is called the Bozeman Beat Podcast, and uh I know our uh Mayor Morrison is involved in it. I don't know, and he can maybe speak to it if he wants. Um it's very informative and timely. Uh this past episode was about how this past winter is expected to affect runoff, and the prior episode was about housing in Bozeman, including affordability. Uh so far they've been plus or minus a half an hour, um, and they've been really beneficial to get a more detailed discussion uh from people who know about complex issues in our community. And I'd say Mayor Morsen, if you wanted to if you have anything to add, go ahead. Um sure. I I I won't add too much appreciate the um the shameless plug um for what we're working on. Um but it's just uh yeah, we're gonna be covering things that you know matter and affect our constituents that City Hall has a role in, as well as things outside of City Hall, like our snow pack. Um so there'll be many more to come trying to get them out monthly for the foreseeable future. Okay. Um let me dispense with some uh housekeeping that's normally at the beginning of meetings. Um that's the uh introduction about where these meetings can be uh watched or accessed. Um we're the community development board, a seven-member citizen advisory board comprised of volunteers appointed by the city commission. Um we generally meet twice per month to make recommendations regarding land use regulations. Um we welcome the presence of those here in the city commission room and those um listening or watching remotely. Um here are the ways in which you can follow this meeting and provide public comments. You can watch the meeting in real time and provide public comment comment by joining us via video conference. You'll find to link the link to join us by going to the city's website at Bozeman.net, click on departments, then on city commission, and then on live stream and videos. Uh you can find this meeting under the upcoming events list and uh click on the copy of the meeting agenda. It is highlighted in blue, and then you can click the link to attend via video conference, also highlighted in blue in the second paragraph of the agenda and follow the prompts to register for the meeting. Um if you are joining us via video conference and you would like to offer public comment, use the video conference raise your hand feature when it is your turn to comment. Staff will call on you by name. Please know that we will take public comments from those physically present here first, followed by those joining by a video conference. In addition to joining us via a video conference, there are three other ways you can follow this meeting. They are for viewing or listening only, and you will be unable to provide public comment. You can dial in to listen to the meeting. Uh you'll find the phone number and access code under section A of the agenda. You can watch this meeting on Cable TV channel 190, and you can stream this meeting on your computer going to Bozeman.net, clicking on departments, then on City Commission, and then on live video uh or live stream and videos, and then find this meeting under the upcoming events list and click on view live event. Uh you can always provide public written or written public comment before meetings by sending an email to comments at Bozeman.net or by visiting the city's public comment web page. Okay, now that we've dismissed with that, we can uh continue with the agenda. Um let me pull it up. Uh next uh item is approval of the minutes. These are the minutes of um February 23rd. So I would entertain a motion to uh approve the minutes. I move to approve the February 2020, February 23rd, 2026 meeting minutes. Second uh is there any discussion or um any uh matters of uh inaccuracies or changes that anyone saw all right then uh front, would you uh please take uh a vote?
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