[{"_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",6191179,"mediaKeyId","5019236-0ab6d4d3af57f405d1aa7f7764266843","parentId",5019236,"title","Livingston planners propose mixed-use zoning, short‑term rental permitting and new 'Heritage' overlay","audioSeconds",10930,"startMs",1681000,"endMs",12611000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5019236-0ab6d4d3af57f405d1aa7f7764266843&start=1681&end=12611","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5019236-0ab6d4d3af57f405d1aa7f7764266843/thumbnail_1681000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6191179/Livingston-City/Park-County/Montana/Livingston-planners-propose-mixed-use-zoning-shortterm-rental-permitting-and-new-Heritage-overlay","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6191179-88294524632af854882e9861dccbbe47/orig.mp4?Expires=1772380165&Signature=Fq5XT78t7zCTzAjYIXXjfWrGqH-y50uhlZ4QTqW83It50DljnXpDcoxORRGoKWytxOAtMPmF-fY~2y3-drfDe8BchH64ZRTGma4ld1gR2ll0bhNYDIih5iBBW1mT5kTeNjFK~32pfxYwgtqqDjNUqxMsIlwJcQufTeKeNWeojlZZzLEORhT3Og~YQk-hZHUcQZ1d6jFYe6QDHI3RNjtn4BZc~ykEb2LdFe2~9a~cRzGROlT2dMvdgDHB78Vj0KNO8pMn9WfFKcvZd846sz13DF2BOrmrvarSnBjkhqD~KJtwHqwH6tgaVpo2VpJKmD7PZ6qLG06ddKMsj8c7dv8-FQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Livingston, MT ","date","2025-06-18T15:21:51Z","article","City planning staff and consultant SCJ Alliance presented a set of recommended zoning changes to the Livingston City Commission on June 17 as part of a multi‑phase overhaul of the municipal code.

The package proposes a new Livingston Heritage overlay to consolidate earlier preservation and gateway controls, revisions to residential and commercial districts (including a new Residential Transition zone), updated height limits, parking minimum reductions centered on the Central Business District and a short‑term rental (STR) permitting and inspection program. The Land Use Board recommended the mixed‑use zoning decisions that affect some annexed parcels.

Why it matters: The proposals would change where and how the city allows housing and commercial development, and would create an ongoing regulatory program for short‑term rentals — a topic that has drawn sustained public interest and could affect housing supply, visitor lodging and neighborhood character.

Most of the work described by Mike Banning of SCJ Alliance and Planning Director Jennifer Severson is guided by more than 1,000 public comments collected through surveys and focus groups conducted since the project began in 2024. Key proposals include:

- Short‑term rentals: A permit with annual base fee, a two‑type classification (Type 1: owner‑occupied; Type 2: non‑owner‑occupied), a required local contact within a 45‑minute drive for Type 2 units, and a basic safety inspection requirement. The consultant recommended allowing STRs in most zones except light industrial, industrial, capital facilities and planned unit developments (PUDs). Commissioners asked staff to return with estimates of enforcement costs and program staffing needs before adopting a permanent policy.

- Parking minimums and structures: In the Central Business District the draft reduces off‑street minimums to 50% of current table standards and proposes an optional further reduction to 25% in certain CBD contexts. Focus groups discussed parking structures downtown as a possible mitigation for peak‑season congestion; staff said such an option would need site‑specific study and funding.

- Livingston Heritage overlay: The overlay would consolidate the existing preservation zoning district, the design review overlay and the gateway overlay into a single set of design standards intended to protect downtown character, encourage adaptive reuse and guide gateway signage and landscaping. Routine minor renovations would be exempt.

- Height limits: The draft sets a 60‑foot maximum in key commercial districts (consistent with state legislation that establishes minimum downtown heights), with lower caps in transition and residential districts (36 feet for transition; 30–36 feet for residential depending on roof pitch). Planning staff said the change will align local limits with recent state direction while preserving neighborhood view considerations.

- Reworked districts: The proposal reconfigures residential zones (merging manufactured‑home rules into R2, eliminating a standalone mobile‑home district and handling mobile home communities through performance standards or conditional review) and renames commercial districts to C1 (light/neighborhood commercial) and C2 (general/highway commercial). A revised mixed‑use district would allow higher density in appropriate places.

Commissioners and members of the public pressed for details on implementation: how STR registration and inspection would be staffed and paid for, whether shifting mobile‑home communities to a conditional use would make them harder or easier to create, and how the city would enforce heritage overlay standards. Planning director Jennifer Severson and City Manager Grant Gager said additional cost and ordinance language would return to the commission for deliberation, and that utilities and fire/building code compliance would be required when sites connect to city services.

The packet identifies Montana House Bill 492 (effective Oct. 1, 2026) as relevant to parking rules, and staff said they will align local requirements with that statute. The Land Use Board recommended approval of the mixed‑use designation for a recently annexed parcel at 38 Loaves Lane; the commission later adopted the rezoning ordinance by roll call vote.

Next steps: Staff will draft specific ordinance language and implementation cost estimates (particularly for STR administration and enforcement) and return the zoning code amendments for further readings and formal adoption.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025_06_17 City Commission Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","City planning staff and consultant SCJ Alliance presented recommended zoning changes on June 17 that include a new Livingston Heritage overlay, new district maps, reduced downtown parking minimums and an STR permitting program.","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},6191163,"Residents press commission on Livingston Healthcare and smart meters; city replies that opt‑out program and additional information were considered",554,79000,633000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5019236-0ab6d4d3af57f405d1aa7f7764266843&start=79&end=633","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5019236-0ab6d4d3af57f405d1aa7f7764266843/thumbnail_79000.jpg","/articles/6191163/Livingston-City/Park-County/Montana/Residents-press-commission-on-Livingston-Healthcare-and-smart-meters-city-replies-that-optout-program-and-additional-information-were-considered","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6191163-65bf49682689cce56c420ea16a52ebc2/orig.mp4?Expires=1772380165&Signature=CLEjJlI61hcwDnXb3rGEoZOqYPrDddvf7JmXFYXu1ibgkQAnS6xIsAP6WLEMWYwvertB0EGHf~5gQOYg~GtBSwivy3atzTosZ4udzBvUJmgHbtW7apccauwuiKEh8L5ERwe8i~6MM~47MCFbB50VpkyV~vxZZo6KrQrCQgx59hOB9mLJakU1xKuONQ77e23um2sfAMRXeNF-cio49ywW8rGuGctfS2sb0tN05QRImA8iZNmHd0b704Rvs9HTMqRYYQZ-Z1KeQrUQgjrLKVEGpX-GU4IE5kdPBP3qR2OV~2-DCQrE7naMh~pNtNfDl4eOF7aXi~qOiWpiivDXECdX9Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During the public comment period on June 17 several speakers raised concerns about local healthcare and a recently proposed smart‑meter purchase.

A speaker identifying himself as \"JK\" told the commission he had visited Livingston Healthcare’s emergency department multiple times and said the facility provided suboptimal care; he criticized press coverage that described the facility as highly rated and questioned the commission’s reliance on consultant material when approving smart meters. The commenter alleged the commission had relied on a report funded by Intel and Bill Gates and urged commissioners to reconsider the smart‑meter purchase.

City response and follow‑up: Planning and administrative staff and the city manager responded at the meeting. City staff said the commission had continued the smart‑meter discussion to a second meeting, collected additional information and changed its recommendation to include an opt‑out option for residents. City Manager Grant Gager and other commissioners encouraged residents with questions about smart meters to contact the city manager for details, and staff offered to share the technical information and the opt‑out program specifics.

Another public commenter, Linda Moore, asked for improved audio and microphone access for in‑room participation; the chair and staff provided microphones and made logistics accommodations.

What the record shows: The transcript records public comment raising healthcare quality concerns and raising health and privacy questions about the smart‑meter purchase, and commissioners/staff noted the commission had revisited the smart‑meter recommendation and added an opt‑out approach; the commission did not take a final vote on a smart‑meter contract during the meeting.","Two residents used public comment to criticize local emergency care and question the smart‑meter contract; staff responded that the council revisited the smart‑meter recommendation and that an opt‑out was incorporated into the program.",{"_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},6191169,"Explorer Livingston and Chamber outline visitor data program, visitor‑center support and downtown services",387,1187000,1574000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5019236-0ab6d4d3af57f405d1aa7f7764266843&start=1187&end=1574","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5019236-0ab6d4d3af57f405d1aa7f7764266843/thumbnail_1187000.jpg","/articles/6191169/Livingston-City/Park-County/Montana/Explorer-Livingston-and-Chamber-outline-visitor-data-program-visitorcenter-support-and-downtown-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6191169-f597d70546c6698c86ae1b7c82cc8ac1/orig.mp4?Expires=1772380165&Signature=TXW3Jud5FNpdW-Zc8TJlwASCAFY-labQW9MXo9lcfyXGMGoIZ2shsyMnICgAxhJyEUC9S3DAQx2voMG5Dsh3jJEihLjc8RxFxuDYP0kP7hkkIGaAN29PoEl3QOkwJee54rM1aI9vZ3fX-zsYNMkJVq-O97QbTki4CyNoVNN7igN0U3aL3XiN7kWecHw2OqFUXWksygWYCBD1qlFKK0GgENu1uFv3Stvd5LN-YGYOjJ64B7eEZ6HKQ5My1myrbXttJ4Mru7xG1gydQJCOP6YD5kmJpIdJLj~snOAA7MNWA3C4bwkckHKhDrLwiSeYfDu4Bly7XMfM54DejJjDAwp7pQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives of the local tourism organizations and the Livingston Chamber presented a mid‑season update to the City Commission on June 17.

Chris, presenting for Explorer Livingston (the region’s DMO/TBID/LVID coordinated entities), described the three separate boards and funding streams that together support visitor services, downtown improvements and promotion. The presenter said the organizations use mostly out‑of‑town bed‑tax and property owner assessments to fund services, which allows them to promote businesses and amenities without asking local businesses for additional funds.

Major points:

- Visitor analytics pilot: Beginning July 1 the organization will run a paid, categorical phone/GPS analytics service (geo‑fencing) for one year to produce non‑personally identifiable reports (origins, movement patterns, block‑level visits, year‑over‑year comparisons). Explorer Livingston offered free access to the city and local businesses for the coming year so municipal staff can use the data for planning (for example, to correlate visitor flows with EMS calls or parking demand).

- Visitor center and downtown services: The Chamber’s visitor center is partly funded by regional Yellowstone Country funds; Explorer Livingston staff said bed‑tax funded promotion lists every business and amenity, and they urged the Chamber to include non‑member businesses on its channels to give visitors a fuller picture. Chris thanked the city for recent contributions to downtown flower baskets and noted new low‑water planters installed this season.

- Events and outreach: The Chamber reminded the commission of the summer rodeo parade and an Aug. 26 childcare summit organized with 0‑5 and Park County partners. Explorer Livingston reported roughly 35–42 visitors per day at the visitor center and said they are distributing 1,000 posters listing recurring monthly events.

Commission response: Commissioners thanked the presenters, expressed interest in using the pilot geo‑fenced data for operational planning with city staff (for example, overlaying visitor data with EMS or parking activity), and encouraged coordination between the Chamber, Explorer Livingston and city budget processes for future support to the visitor center.

Next steps: Explorer Livingston will make pilot data available to the city starting July 1 and will share findings in a future presentation.","Explorer Livingston (TBID/DMO/LVID) and the Livingston Chamber briefed the commission on coordinated tourism operations, a paid phone/GPS visitor analytics pilot starting July 1, flower‑basket improvements and upcoming community events; commissioners acknowledged the offer to share data with city staff for planning.",{"_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},6191174,"Livingston City Manager delivers FY2026 budget; commission sets public hearings for budget and utility rate increases",3983,6836000,10819000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5019236-0ab6d4d3af57f405d1aa7f7764266843&start=6836&end=10819","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5019236-0ab6d4d3af57f405d1aa7f7764266843/thumbnail_6836000.jpg","/articles/6191174/Livingston-City/Park-County/Montana/Livingston-City-Manager-delivers-FY2026-budget-commission-sets-public-hearings-for-budget-and-utility-rate-increases","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6191174-36e6c0a8b519afeaf257248dcc64bccb/orig.mp4?Expires=1772380165&Signature=MGnoMsFqior6FOC4~b54FEqSznoua790z5VZOdne29P5n~Y0-vri9EvnfzlNeZLRCvuw2QWGqYbme3a0rLDKnYrl~EQ4WSEw~nssSnl~Ph2f3XGlLktZaw9RcrrAnFuYJ9207DvG2baWo2GtHgLu8O3cq3uZaNsAgMIx2lLooapbNuGlwQA6y9QdI1sj5dPDRj9bfYdnwlpshFQ442nQs0s8~DnquIxdcacRDK8fuqg7DaAP5hbI6mdYhJijCNuACiNg1sp7G-ZuWNQqRDh8mwES-1HUMl1mQVpDfS-UQF7xnfgQjUzLcI~uvedxKlqi1W63owPtsdnhi0XuTECwJw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Manager Grant Gager presented his recommended FY2026 budget to the Livingston City Commission on June 17, reporting a proposed total budget of $31,775,333 and a general fund operating plan that keeps operating revenues above operating expenses while using limited one‑time fund balance for capital projects.

The proposed budget includes the following principal items:

- Public safety: Conversion of four reserve firefighter/EMT positions to full‑time staff (one additional full‑time firefighter/EMT on each shift) to reduce overtime and reserve dependence for 24‑hour coverage; associated equipment purchases were included in the annuals fund.

- Public works and utilities: Creation of a Public Works operations manager position to coordinate multi‑disciplinary projects, continued unpaved road treatments, water and sewer capital projects (including Bennett Street loop and I&I work), and a recommended 4.22% rate increase for both water and wastewater enterprise funds to offset inflationary costs. Solid waste rates were not increased for FY2026; staff expects savings from moving transfer station freight to Logan Landfill.

- Permitting and IT: Implementation of an online building and planning permitting system contracted at no cost to the city, expected to reduce review times and improve efficiency.

- Community services: Continued funding for the housing coordinator, funding for the warming shelter, and $11,000 for the urban forestry program (Livingston Loaves Trees). The budget also includes funding to continue planning for sidewalks, rapid‑flashing beacons and pedestrian crossings along Park Street and for railroad crossing planning and potential grade separation preparatory work.

Gager emphasized that the general fund will end FY2026 with an estimated fund balance of about 26% — above the Government Finance Officers Association recommended 16.7% — and said the recommended water and wastewater rate increases (each 4.22%) are intended to maintain enterprise fund health in the face of rising costs. Gager noted energy cost increases as a driver for wastewater operational expenses and said the average residential monthly bill would rise by roughly $0.84 to $2.28 for water and $0.97 to $4.77 for sewer depending on use tier.

Commission action: The commission voted to set a public hearing on the final budget and rate adjustments for July 15, 2025. During the June 17 meeting the commission adopted:

- Resolution 5161: Notice of the preliminary FY2026 budget (approved by roll call vote).
- Resolution 5162: Notice of intent to adjust water rates (4.22% recommended; public hearing set for July 15).
- Resolution 5163: Notice of intent to adjust wastewater rates (4.22% recommended; public hearing set for July 15).

Questions raised during deliberations included whether water tiers should be modified to add a higher top tier for very large users (staff reported fewer than about 15–40 accounts exceed 100,000 gallons and said staff would return with analysis if the commission directed), and whether the seasonal averaging period for sewer billing (currently October–March) should move to November–April; staff said that changing the sewer averaging period requires ordinance action and that a usage analysis showed little net change in averages but that staff would return with the detailed findings.

Next steps: Staff will publish the budget and rate notices, hold the public hearings on July 15, 2025, and return with any ordinance language necessary to implement rate changes or modifications to sewer averaging periods.","City Manager Grant Gager presented a $31.8 million recommended FY2026 budget that funds public works, added fire/EMS staffing, a public works operations manager, composting, capital projects and no solid‑waste rate increase; the commission set public hearings and approved notices for water and wastewater rate increases.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Livingston planners propose mixed-use zoning, short‑term rental permitting and new 'Heritage' overlay

Residents press commission on Livingston Healthcare and smart meters; city replies that opt‑out program and additional information were considered

Explorer Livingston and Chamber outline visitor data program, visitor‑center support and downtown services

Livingston City Manager delivers FY2026 budget; commission sets public hearings for budget and utility rate increases