Interneighborhood Council backs Centennial Park zoning request, asks staff to flag map/code conflicts

The Interneighborhood Council on May 8 voted to send a letter asking the Bozeman City Commission to direct staff to treat resident-led zoning change requests as part of the city’s Unified Development Code (UDC) update and to approve the Centennial Park neighborhood’s request to be zoned R2 (to appear as RA in the updated UDC).

Jane Mangold, a Centennial Park resident and member of the neighborhood core team, presented the proposal and described the area as “approximately a 5 by 3 block area that runs from Peach Avenue to Tamarack Avenue” and from the west side of Bozeman Avenue to the east side of North Third. Mangold said the group submitted its proposal to the city on April 8 and had documented outreach, including door‑to‑door contact and neighborhood meetings; “we did acquire 54 percent of our property owners signed on in support of this proposal,” she said.

Why it matters: The request seeks to change parcels now zoned R4 (which would become RC under the UDC revisions) to lower‑intensity zoning to conserve neighborhood character, protect mature vegetation and historic homes, and allow smaller-scale infill such as duplexes and accessory dwelling units. Supporters argued RA is more consistent with adjacent blocks and less likely to produce large, multi‑story apartment buildings.

Most important facts: Mangold explained the group chose the UDC process over a formal zone‑map amendment because the latter follows a statutory, more expensive procedure that places most of the administrative burden on applicants. She told the council the group is preparing an addendum to their proposal addressing UDC evaluation criteria and the city’s growth policy (Community Plan 2020). In public comment, Jim Webster, a member of the Historic Preservation Advisory Board speaking for himself, warned that RC zoning could allow “potentially…a 24‑unit structure,” and urged support for the neighborhood’s request. Several residents who live in Centennial Park described concerns about traffic, parking and the scale of nearby developments.

Questions and council action: Council members and neighborhood representatives discussed outreach, transition areas adjacent to larger new developments and technical differences between pursuing a zone‑map amendment and the public‑comment option during the UDC update. Lisonbee Sweeney moved that the Interneighborhood Council sign and send the attached letter recommending (1) the commission direct staff to honor zoning change requests as part of the UDC update and (2) approve the neighborhood’s request to be zoned R2/RA. The motion was seconded. The council added an amendment asking staff to use available GIS/dashboard data to identify places where proposed zoning, existing zoning and the built environment conflict and to proactively draft code and map changes to resolve such conflicts. The amended motion passed; recorded remarks indicate six affirmative votes and one recusal. The recusal was announced by a council member who said she is involved in the proposal and would not vote.

What was not decided: The City Commission still must consider the matter. Council members noted upcoming UDC work sessions on May 20 and June 24 where staff and commissioners will discuss code options; the Interneighborhood Council’s letter is intended to inform that work. The group said they would send a finalized letter, incorporating the amendment, to the City Commission and encouraged neighborhood representatives to share the proposal with their contacts.

Background and context: The Centennial Park core team reported outreach beginning in late 2022, formal neighborhood engagement in 2024, and a written proposal submitted April 8, 2025. Presenters distinguished the public‑comment/UDC pathway from a formal zone‑map amendment, which they described as a state‑law‑defined process that typically requires more time, money and staff/consultant input. Supporters emphasized conserving “neighborhood character” and retaining naturally occurring affordable housing over time.

Next steps: The Interneighborhood Council chair indicated staff will draft the amended letter for the council’s signature and distribution to the City Commission ahead of the next UDC work sessions. The Centennial Park group said it will continue outreach and may pursue a zone‑map amendment if the UDC path does not produce the requested change.