Bozeman Community Development Board Meeting - August 17, 2026

The Bozeman Community Development Board met on Monday, August 17, 2026, at 6:00 PM, with four members present (Chris Egnatz, Jason Delmue, Ben Lloyd, Lauren Mitro) and three excused (Joey Morrison, Erik Bonnett, Mark Egge). The primary action was a unanimous vote to recommend adoption of a text amendment to the city's wetland and watercourse regulations, aimed at streamlining the development review process by removing two submittal requirements. The meeting lasted approximately 34 minutes.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of August 3, 2026 Meeting Minutes: Moved by Jason Delmue, seconded by Lauren Mitro. Approved 4-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Kathryn Bear, Gallatin Watershed Council: Spoke on agenda item E.1, expressing support for the text amendment's removal of jurisdictional determinations from the Army Corps of Engineers and the Gallatin Conservation District. She also suggested that the wetland and watercourse delineation report be required earlier in the development review process (e.g., at pre-application or preliminary plat stage) to better inform site planning. Later, during non-agenda public comment, she promoted a riparian walk hosted by the Gallatin Watershed Council on August 27th from 7:30-9:00 AM along the Cattail Creek Corridor.

Discussion Items

• Ordinance 26217 – Text Amendment to Wetland & Watercourse Regulations: Staff presented a narrowly focused amendment to modify BMC Sections 38.610.030 and 040 (Application of wetland regulations), 38.620 (Watercourse setbacks), and 38.710.120 (Submittal Materials for Review). Community Development Manager Chris Saunders introduced the item, noting the amendment responds to coordination issues with review partners. Director of Transportation and Engineering Nick Ross explained the substantive changes: removing the requirement for an Approved Jurisdictional Determination (AJD) from the Army Corps of Engineers and a Watercourse Status Determination from the Gallatin Conservation District. He stated that AJDs typically take 12-18 months, adding unnecessary delay since all wetlands in city limits are now protected by either federal or local jurisdiction. The Conservation District no longer provides initial determinations as a matter of policy, making the requirement impossible to fulfill. Stakeholder engagement with the Gallatin Water Collaborative and Watershed Council reached consensus on these changes. Board members discussed implications, including whether the removal would leave wetlands unprotected. Staff clarified that applicants may assume federal jurisdiction and enter the 404 permit process without an AJD, and that the city's mitigation priority (avoid, minimize, mitigate) remains fully enforceable. The Sustainability Board had recommended support in July. The ordinance is scheduled for first reading before the City Commission on September 1, 2026.

Key Outcomes

• Motion to Recommend Adoption: Moved by Chris Egnatz, seconded by Jason Delmue. Approved 4-0 (Egnatz aye, Delmue aye, Lloyd aye, Mitro aye). The board adopted the findings in the staff report and recommended adoption of Ordinance 26217 to the City Commission.
• Future Meeting Schedule: The board decided to cancel the September 7, 2026 meeting (Labor Day) and not reschedule, resulting in only one meeting in September (likely September 14 or 21, but no items currently pending).