Bozeman Inter-Neighborhood Council Meeting – August 13, 2026

The Inter-Neighborhood Council (INC) of Bozeman met on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. The meeting featured a detailed presentation on zone edge transitions, an update on the Integrated Water Resource Plan, and liaison reports from the City Commission and City staff. Public comments focused on concerns about building heights and inadequate transitions, while council members discussed potential improvements and next steps.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes from the July 7, 2026, meeting were approved unanimously without discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Daniel Cardi (Bozeman resident, Midtown) urged reducing the B3 height limit from 90 feet to 60 feet and strengthening zone edge transitions to protect neighborhood character. He described the North Central area as a "cancer" spreading to other parts of town.
• Noah Tenbrook (Midtown) noted that transitions often do not apply across rights-of-way wider than 60 feet, and many large buildings stand next to smaller ones without transition requirements because they share similar zones. He advocated for transitions based on actual built conditions rather than zoning maxima.
• Multiple council members shared observations from walking tours, citing issues with noise, privacy, and design in buildings like the Ives.

Discussion Items

Zone Edge Transitions (F.1)

• Kieran Filipovich gave a neighbor-to-neighbor presentation explaining the purpose and types of zone edge transitions (1A, 1B, 2A, 2B), which are intended to mitigate impacts of taller buildings on lower-intensity zones. She noted that transitions are required across Bozeman, but challenges arise from historic districts, HOAs, and existing built environments.
• Chris Saunders, City Planner, clarified that the Ives building was constructed under the old 2018 code with a 45-degree angle transition, while the new 2026 UDC uses a stepped-back approach, considered an improvement. He added that all current construction still uses old code, and projects under the new code will take years to appear.
• Council members debated the "underbuilt vs. overzoned" issue and suggested a neighborhood survey to gather feedback on height and transitions.

Integrated Water Resource Plan Update (F.2)

• Beth Boyson reported that the IWRP committee has developed tiered alternatives for water management. Tier 1 actions (including beaver dam analogs for aquifer recharge) are expected within 10 years; Tier 2 includes cloud seeding. A report will be prepared for City Commission adoption in November.

Commission Liaison Update (F.3)

• Deputy Mayor Douglas Fischer outlined upcoming City Commission items: August 18 (tax rates), August 25 (work session on height and zone edge transitions), September 15 (cash-in-lieu of water rights fee), October 6 (community ballot issues), and October 27 (UDC housekeeping). He invited the INC to forward guiding questions or policy recommendations for the August 25 work session.

City Liaison Update (F.4)

• Tommy Clark announced a block party on August 27 at Story Mansion (3–6 p.m.) and the final Urban Forest Management Plan engagement meeting on August 31 (4–6 p.m. at Bozeman Public Safety Center). He also noted that a draft engagement framework for INC is nearly complete.

Neighborhood Written Updates & Follow-Up Questions (F.5)

• The steering committee requested feedback on voting procedures (one vote per household vs. per adult) for neighborhood associations. Members shared diverse practices; no consensus was reached.
• Kath Crumrod advocated for dedicating more meeting time to neighborhood updates, emphasizing the value of connection among representatives.

Key Outcomes

• No formal decisions were made except approval of minutes.
• The INC discussed conducting a survey on zone edge transitions, with Filipovich offering assistance.
• The steering committee will use member feedback to refine voting procedures.
• The meeting was adjourned around 6:00 p.m.