[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6665296,"mediaKeyId","2361009-fa9dfe8200ba293127b75ce51767af41","parentId",2361009,"title","Commission reviews proposed revisions to subdivision regulations; asks staff to add wildfire, transportation and HOA clarifications","audioSeconds",5388,"startMs",5404000,"endMs",10792000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2361009-fa9dfe8200ba293127b75ce51767af41&start=5404&end=10792","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2361009-fa9dfe8200ba293127b75ce51767af41/thumbnail_5404000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6665296/Livingston-City/Park-County/Montana/Commission-reviews-proposed-revisions-to-subdivision-regulations-asks-staff-to-add-wildfire-transportation-and-HOA-clarifications","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6665296-6c3a45f6c50d7cd605f3ca6184aed985/orig.mp4?Expires=1776169909&Signature=aXnuriDsplEcwOShPttTf4UPAuSuE3OiPBJWOKXjWedC6WkOYpRPbb8fTu4hmxHgYXdYU~Eghto1EGv4A1VNdJYEhcOLulQ6YUa8Cax7b67jYpfQMLwLfxl--wwUW25FrcnwqS2JOQS7d1zTv~53qY9Og1Q2ogh45DCrvVc6x7JDNBegEISFqwVPCfJfSGiRli~uBWtPLcZtLlkrNktx7oCvAfcwBPHjTm~AohorCmJqj~I3xIbm5qGZ6AKfvHEbQftxXDHtB9lx-e-STReYPvWjinWh9t4l20Y43fvXW47FAYTW1NkktW5mM~y0jhvordBeK-kwolsMnzKhEQBmTw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Livingston, MT","date","2025-02-20T16:35:26.343Z","article","Planning staff presented the third phase of a multi-part review of the City of Livingston's subdivision regulations, focusing on changes driven by \"community experience\" including boulevard tree plantings, transportation-impact thresholds, updated street cross-sections and riparian/wetland setback recommendations.

Planning Director Jennifer Severson told members the proposed changes would require at least one boulevard tree per lot frontage in subdivisions (with an overall tree-planting plan approved by the city arborist) and move the technical street-section table into an appendix with a new visual typical cross section derived from public-works design standards. Staff recommended requiring a transportation-impact study (TIS) for subdivisions expected to generate 200 or more daily trips, and noted that the 200-trip threshold could be reached by a relatively small number of homes under standard trip-generation assumptions.

Commissioners and members of the public asked staff to address several additional items before formal adoption. Vice Chair and commissioners asked staff to incorporate wildfire mitigation language and clarifications around riparian setbacks into the zoning code update rather than the subdivision chapter. Commissioners also asked the planning office to explore how to handle restrictive homeowners'association covenants that conflict with municipal code (for example, HOA rules that would prohibit an accessory dwelling unit or that set landscaping or pet restrictions stricter than city code). Staff said HOA enforcement is usually a civil issue but agreed to research whether municipal code or application language can prevent a subdivision from being approved where HOA covenants would undermine public policies.

Other clarifying questions addressed the role of the public-works design standards, the coordination of public-works review with preliminary and final plats, noticing and appeals language, and penalties for illegal subdivision activity. Staff confirmed the greenhouse-gas inventory baseline used in the Energy Action Plan included pre-pandemic data (back to 2018) and said the riparian/setback items would be handled during the zoning-code update.

No formal final adoption vote on the revised regulations was taken at this meeting; commissioners provided direction and asked staff to return with edits, further detail on wildfire provisions and options for addressing HOA/covenant conflicts.

Ending: Staff will return with revised wording incorporating wildfire mitigation language, clearer guidance on HOA conflicts with city code, and technical appendices moved into appendices for easier future updates.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025_02_18 City Commission Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","City planning staff proposed several updates to subdivision regulations, including mandatory boulevard tree plantings, a transportation-impact study threshold, and updated street cross-sections; commissioners asked staff to add wildfire mitigation language and to address conflicts between HOA covenants and city code.","taxTitle","Livingston City, Park County, Montana","taxId",52298,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6665301,"Commission approves Chapter 3 of city-county compact to formalize IT/GIS shared services",151,4445000,4596000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2361009-fa9dfe8200ba293127b75ce51767af41&start=4445&end=4596","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2361009-fa9dfe8200ba293127b75ce51767af41/thumbnail_4445000.jpg","/articles/6665301/Livingston-City/Park-County/Montana/Commission-approves-Chapter-3-of-city-county-compact-to-formalize-ITGIS-shared-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6665301-fb5fe4ac0e5d3ff2af8bea7f5b8db6e2/orig.mp4?Expires=1776169909&Signature=msDvjNHRRdJcvNnk88lbbaEvk81zg2TziQuzAceZFA5adGL5m1ir3nu8Ef83E4b1M7hXfDqzl49hoMt5MhIjdVsI~zgNl2XBvyfDszzSuHLAKckio9xEIJs15MQcb1Ejuud5JgjEBMi~S606ZHQC9MtZSMDZ45OdtigHVFgjcrsYotMHw2pKe6lPkPj2wdCoa1dToiD4LEXiZaBOX2PYS0LAcpNFxmnhAdOEyH8S0rIUkqyHeaMjoCM7-Rh~7jemkKjxSwCGKzwMK3nwzolfpEmSBHRt1R8alwnwSk62XqkcwhKGrxKlHrK1sdNkhPbwgv9HRWHyMgEgEsspSWSlBQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Livingston City Commission voted to approve Chapter 3 of the city-county compact, which formalizes the shared information technology and GIS arrangement between the City of Livingston and Park County.

City Manager Grant Gager described the chapter as a memorialization of long-standing shared practice and said an administrative update would be made before final signature to reflect recent county commission turnover. Commissioners thanked staff for working with the county to restart the city-county compact process and said they expected additional chapters to be considered in coming meetings.

The motion to approve Chapter 3 directed the chair to sign the compact and passed on a roll-call vote.

Ending: The compact chapter was approved and will be finalized for signature after a minor administrative update reflecting the current county commission.","The commission approved Chapter 3 of the City-County Compact, a chapter that codifies long-standing shared IT and GIS operations between Livingston City and Park County; commissioners said the chapter largely memorializes existing practice and will be updated for a recent county commission turnover prior to signing.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6665305,"Livingston commission adopts energy action plan, directs implementation steps and pilot programs",2070,2945000,5015000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2361009-fa9dfe8200ba293127b75ce51767af41&start=2945&end=5015","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2361009-fa9dfe8200ba293127b75ce51767af41/thumbnail_2945000.jpg","/articles/6665305/Livingston-City/Park-County/Montana/Livingston-commission-adopts-energy-action-plan-directs-implementation-steps-and-pilot-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6665305-873b66efc2486c2b5c20b4f9440149f6/orig.mp4?Expires=1776169909&Signature=NidUqMpG~CGXFQaeQVuvCYfhiN7QKvCUXnkdmYIUM-oSmGid4MnSlHk3dJQSWhlqohVVr7A8zJ0VjwO~v2yipzcg6CUnRYJw1CYVCbrHyQ8BofasFL77ER7H8vnN39-RYzA6B9ZowR6dqsF3LCrl2IWsA9GMIz1hQY4XeppCDGTOOq-kQOi0eqNi~5oeWmTPHvnrO4M86~t19nBHNbX7SAXl3smLUMkyKrH9FTPJiocKWrk89tAi3aes-EiE8O2AVeGS5IDMiwbsDhcrqW06XnhMEHBSY4Pn-pZTNHNIn05IedV8Q6kg0MbwTuTKCaVMJLI9R4SCo1b~thZYGzGHtA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Livingston City Commission voted to receive and file a draft Energy Action Plan after a presentation by Sarah Architects' consultant Nicole Bolt and an extended question-and-answer period with commissioners and members of the public.

Nicole Bolt presented Phase 1 of the Energy Action Plan, describing quantitative targets and proposed strategies across eight municipal sectors: water, wastewater, fleet, buildings, street lighting, solid waste, employee commute and urban forestry. Among the stated goals were a municipal greenhouse gas reduction target (30% below a 2020 baseline by 2030), a long-term goal of carbon-neutral municipal operations by 2050, a 20'30% reduction in water-supply pumping electricity by 2030, and a proposed 25% on-site renewable generation target for some facilities by 2030. Bolt said Phase 1 sets high-level targets and that later phases would include building-level energy audits, monitoring and reporting, and a public communication plan.

Public commenters and commissioners pushed for more place-based detail. Patricia Grama said the draft felt \"boilerplate\" and urged that Livingston's specific features (historic downtown buildings, geothermal and wetlands) be reflected in subsequent phases. Local nonprofit and community leaders urged stronger local strategies such as active-transportation incentives and more local engagement in future phases.

Commissioners debated amendments and next steps before voting. Commissioners asked staff to ensure the plan is contextualized for Livingston and to cross-reference it with existing documents (the growth policy and active-transportation planning). Several commissioners supported a recommendation from the discussion to add a short-term pilot on zero-emission vehicles (technology-agnostic), to omit one suggested route-optimization strategy (V F 2.1) judged unnecessary for Livingston's street network, and to emphasize that any new fleet charging or 0-emission infrastructure include public access.

The final motion, as recorded in the meeting, directed the city manager to receive and file the Energy Action Plan with those amendments and to pursue implementation planning. The roll call vote passed with commissioners recorded in favor; the chair directed staff to return with implementation details and to consider future phases for deeper technical analysis and public engagement.

Why it matters: The plan creates municipal targets that could shape capital projects, operating budgets and permitting practices. Commissioners emphasized using the plan to guide energy audits, capital priorities (water and wastewater facilities were highlighted) and policy updates that can both reduce greenhouse gases and lower long-term operating costs.

Ending: The plan was approved for filing and staff were asked to move the project into more detailed implementation phases, including public outreach and technical audits.","After a consultant presentation, the Livingston City Commission voted to receive and file a draft Energy Action Plan, approved targeted amendments (including a fleet pilot and public access to charging infrastructure), and directed staff to pursue implementation planning and cross-referencing with the growth policy.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6665310,"Livingston commission approves consent items including city manager contract amid public objections",2790,120000,2910000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2361009-fa9dfe8200ba293127b75ce51767af41&start=120&end=2910","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2361009-fa9dfe8200ba293127b75ce51767af41/thumbnail_120000.jpg","/articles/6665310/Livingston-City/Park-County/Montana/Livingston-commission-approves-consent-items-including-city-manager-contract-amid-public-objections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6665310-7e67eb2eb4340bdfa0e2b31e51a3a8b2/orig.mp4?Expires=1776169909&Signature=SO05rJ7odAP7m4hnva5t3R7aKXthgHnkqvCo6dxq8ctgDlgkB5Jreqgj91G95xhX-R0v~iurghrwjmUTwcyohXvDiAZKV39rwbUkX6n1t7~UIw7eDflwQe5CZCsloneB6mruC4hhPwMcx~mV7rxzd5IENI-cH3lmDaucUVfQ0HfCsUOmZclZQpUnTC-XneaUJAil9HxCT6FfFK4Hc9PulENno9-q1Us6toI9qiEdJBKqzKFnhRnJeoYV8ePWVYmFhuiBh5BZBMKJylZRrW6yCy1Ters0K~2KAvdW5OcIcEcdeucOjt0UySZHTsJWemS~MhLj0GgfKW9x35Rr-nVWtg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Livingston City Commission on Monday approved consent items A through E, which included proposed changes to the city manager's contract, after several members of the public urged the commission to reconsider the pay and severance terms.

Members of the public voiced opposition during the consent-item public-comment period, citing local economic strain and concerns about the structure of the contract. Jesse Kula, a Livingston resident, said: \"You're voting on a raise, and this is crap. Have you not been outside? Do you not see the state of the city streets?\" Josh Congleton, another resident, told the commission the new language allowing more frequent compensation reviews alarmed him and questioned whether reviewing the manager's pay every six months could lead to repeated increases. Pam Van Geesten and Ellen Collins also raised concerns about an indefinite contract term and the size of a possible severance payment, with Van Geesten saying that a full year's salary and benefits in the event of termination could saddle future commissions with a large obligation.

City commissioners responded during discussion before the vote with a mix of defense of the packet and acknowledgement of community concerns. Commissioner James Willis (identified in the meeting as Commissioner Willis) and Commissioner Lyons described a regional compensation analysis used to set the proposed salary and said the commission sought to remain competitive with comparable city managers. Commissioner Willich noted that raises for city staff preceded the manager's proposed compensation changes and said the commission had focused on staff morale and retention.

The motion to approve consent items A through E was made during the meeting and was seconded; the chair called for the vote and the motion carried. The record shows the motion passed (motion text: \"Approve consent items A through E\") and the presiding chair declared the motion carried.

Why it matters: The contract amendments drew unusually large turnout during the consent comment period and prompted detailed public scrutiny. Citizens raised questions about priorities such as snow removal and downtown services while debating compensation and contract structure.

What happened next: After the consent vote the commission recessed briefly and then returned for scheduled agenda items, including the presentation of the energy action plan.

Ending: The commission approved the consent package despite objections from several residents. Commissioners signaled they will continue to weigh implementation and related budget decisions in future meetings.","The Livingston City Commission voted to approve consent items A–E, including changes to the city manager's contract, after extended public comment expressing concern about the raise, severance terms and downtown services such as snow removal.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission reviews proposed revisions to subdivision regulations; asks staff to add wildfire, transportation and HOA clarifications

Commission approves Chapter 3 of city-county compact to formalize IT/GIS shared services

Livingston commission adopts energy action plan, directs implementation steps and pilot programs

Livingston commission approves consent items including city manager contract amid public objections