Commission approves alley realignment in Northeast neighborhood; abandonment contingent on recorded replacement alley
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Summary
The commission voted to vacate a north–south alley in the Northeast neighborhood provided a new 20‑foot continuous east–west alley is recorded; staff said the realignment improves connectivity and meets separation standards.
The Bozeman City Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to vacate a north–south alley in the city’s Northeast neighborhood on the condition that a continuous, 20‑foot‑wide east‑west alley is recorded first.
Why it matters: The petition came from the sole adjacent owner, Cloverleaf LLC, and was presented to the commission as part of a reconfiguration intended to improve internal connectivity for a potential redevelopment. Taylor Lonsdale, the city’s transportation engineer, said the existing T‑shaped alley is not currently in public use and that the proposed realignment would create a continuous east‑west alley that meets city standards.
Staff findings and technical detail: Lonsdale told the commission the existing alley is 4,000 square feet and the proposed replacement alley would account for about 4,050 square feet. He said there are no public or private utilities within the existing alley right of way and that city master plans do not anticipate future utilities there. Staff recommended approval but added the recorded abandonment must be withheld until the replacement east‑west alley is recorded, language city commissioners incorporated into their motion.
Public comment and risk: No protests were received before the hearing and staff reported one written comment. Commissioners asked what would happen if a redevelopment did not occur after the vacation was recorded; staff clarified the abandonment will not be recorded until the replacement alley is recorded, avoiding a situation in which an alley vacation would strand an existing building or disrupt access.
Decision: Commissioner Boddy moved approval with the conditional recording clause; the motion passed 5‑0 (Deputy Mayor Morrison, Commissioner Madick, Commissioner Boddy, Commissioner Fisher and Mayor Cunningham voting aye). The petitioner will provide updated legal documents to the Gallatin County Clerk and Recorder when the replacement alley is ready to be recorded.