Bozeman City Commission Regular Meeting - July 28, 2026

The Bozeman City Commission held a regular meeting on July 28, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Commission Room, City Hall. The agenda included a consent calendar, public comments, a special presentation on the Urban Forest Management Plan update, a work session on the Local Landmark Program and Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District (NCOD) design standards, and appointments to city boards. Key decisions included approving consent items, continuing a kennel license revocation appeal, and making appointments. The work session provided policy direction on the sequence of historic preservation projects and the role of the NCOD in regulating development.

Consent Calendar

• F.1–F.8 Approved: Accounts payable, VOCA grant agreement, hydrometeorological station purchase agreement, third addendum to MOU with Bozeman School District 7 for Sports Park facilities, professional services agreement for 2027 Transportation Master Plan Update, amendment to Lyman Creek Reservoir project agreement, final adoption of UDC housekeeping amendments for parking in B-3 district and legacy short-term rentals in RA district. All items were approved 5–0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jerry Pate (Bozeman broker, former planning board member) urged the commission to reconsider forwarding Census Tract 11.02 for Opportunity Zone 2.0 designation, arguing that the tract forwarded (Tract 6) is industrial while Tract 11.02 is housing-focused and aligns with city priorities on affordability and infill.
• Marsha Caveney (Bozeman resident, co-founder of Bozeman Tree Coalition) requested adding public input opportunities to work sessions and thanked staff for inclusive language. She also advocated for tracking tree loss to development and incorporating external stakeholders earlier in the Urban Forest Management Plan process.
• Daniel Cardi (Bozeman resident, Bozeman Tree Coalition co-founder) emphasized fairness in zone edge transitions and urged setting a 20-year canopy goal of 16% (rather than the recommended 12%), and called for a heritage tree program with specific guidelines.
• Mark Campanelli (Bozeman resident, Bozeman Park neighbor) discussed solar energy incentives and community programs, referencing Tucson Electric Power as a model.
• Emily Telego (Bozeman resident) urged the commission to revisit special assessment methods tied to zoning, given the new development code and growth.
• Multiple speakers during the work session commented on the NCOD and landmark program, emphasizing the need for clarity, incremental zoning, and protection of neighborhood character without over-regulating historic homes.

Discussion Items

• Special Presentation: 2026 Urban Forest Management Plan (Mid-Process Update)

  • Consultants from DJA and Planet GEO presented the project schedule, public engagement results, staff and public survey findings, and tree inventory analysis.
  • Key data: Bozeman has ~28,000 inventoried city trees, with roughly 10% canopy cover (baseline 9.8% for tracking). Recommended 20-year goal: 12% canopy cover (a 1/5 increase).
  • Ash trees make up 22% of public trees; the plan recommends reducing to 10% over 10 years to prepare for emerald ash borer (EAB), which is not yet present but expected.
  • The plan includes a heritage tree program starting with public trees, with criteria and model programs from seven other cities.
  • Commissioners asked about EAB preparedness, tree removal vs. treatment, and capacity for maintenance. Staff noted the need to balance planting and maintenance, and that the current forestry division is at capacity.

• Work Session: Landmark Program and NCOD Design Standards Project Updates

  • Context: Bozeman's historic preservation program dates to the 1980s, with the NCOD established in 1991. Current design guidelines (2006) are vague and challenging to implement. The Local Landmark Project (Phase 2) and NCOD Design Standards Update were initiated.
  • Consultant issues: The contract with the Lakota Group for design standards was terminated after an incident of unprofessional behavior. Staff plan to hire a new consultant later in 2026.
  • Local Landmark Program: On hold per HPAB direction, which prioritized code revisions and NCOD guidelines first. The program aims to recognize sites of local historical/cultural significance without requiring National Register listing.
  • Demolition Code Revisions: Currently only regulate within the NCOD. HPAB recommended updated inventory forms, documentation of alternatives, and greater board involvement. The two-year stay on demolition of historic structures has never saved a building, according to staff.
  • Design Standards Update: Community engagement (surveys, tours, focus groups) revealed strong concerns about bulk, mass, and scale. A proposed detailed table on historic window treatment was rejected by HPAB as too restrictive. Public comments emphasized protecting neighborhood character, especially public realm features like trees, narrow streets, and porches.
  • Commission Direction:
    • Question 1 (Sequence): Majority agreed to prioritize code revisions (demolition, COA) first, then local landmark program, then NCOD design guidelines update. Some commissioners favored reordering to 1) code revisions, 2) landmark program, 3) design guidelines.
    • Question 2 (Modify dimensional standards through NCOD): Four commissioners (Magic, Sweeney, Bowden, Morrison) said no – they do not want to modify base zoning dimensional standards (height, width, setbacks, lot coverage) through the NCOD overlay. They prefer zoning map amendments or landmark districts as better tools. One commissioner (Sweeney) noted that overlay zones typically do modify such standards, but supported exploring landmark districts with tailored regulations.
    • Question 3 (Demolition): Three commissioners supported extending demolition regulations beyond the NCOD for historic structures. Three supported public notice for all demolitions. Three expressed concern that demolition processes should not be used to slow development. The two-year stay was criticized as ineffective; staff noted it has never saved a building. Commissioners expressed interest in incentives for adaptive reuse and material salvage.

Key Outcomes

• Continued Hearing: The appeal of the kennel license revocation for Katherine Miller (3309 Fieldstone Drive West) was continued to August 18, 2026, at 6:00 PM (5–0 vote).
• Consent Agenda Approved: Items F.1–F.8 approved 5–0.
• Appointments:
  • Downtown Business Improvement Board: Reappointed Eric Bowman (term ending June 30, 2030), appointed Erik Nelson as Chair and Ileana Indreland as Vice-Chair (5–0).
  • Downtown Urban Renewal Board: Appointed Amy Horton, John Howe, and Skye Cook as citizen members (terms ending June 30, 2029), and Ryan Finn as Gallatin County representative (5–0).
• Policy Direction on Historic Preservation Projects:
  • Staff will proceed with code revisions (demolition, COA) first, using the existing consultant.
  • Commission directed that base zoning dimensional standards should not be modified through the NCOD; instead, other tools (zoning map amendments, landmark districts) should be explored.
  • Demolition regulations may be extended citywide for historic structures, public notice for all demolitions will be investigated, and incentives for adaptive reuse will be considered.
  • The two-year demolition stay will be reviewed for effectiveness; staff is open to alternative approaches.
• Next Steps: Staff will update the scope for a new NCOD design consultant, incorporating feedback on landmark districts and tiered guidelines. The Urban Forest Management Plan will return for final approval in November 2026.