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Bozeman board backs map cleanup, supports neighborhood‑scale commercial and more housing options in UDC discussion
Summary
At a lengthy July 7 discussion on the city's Unified Development Code update, staff described proposed zoning map edits, mid‑block boundary choices, and possible expansions of retail and services in residential zones. The board signaled support for cleaning up mid‑block boundaries, expanding neighborhood‑scale nonresidential uses in residential Z
BOZEMAN, Mont. — The Bozeman Community Development Board spent a substantial portion of its July 7 meeting on draft changes to the city's Unified Development Code (UDC), focusing on zoning‑map cleanup, mid‑block boundaries, what nonresidential uses should be allowed in residential districts, and maximum dwelling counts in single buildings.
The board told staff it wants further work on mid‑block zoning boundaries and generally supported expanding neighborhood‑scale commercial uses within residential districts. Members also signaled support for allowing more housing options within residential districts, with one clear outcome: the board asked staff to return with specific map edits, recommended language for use tables, and options for unit‑count limits tied to building form and site conditions.
What staff presented: Chris Saunders of the Community Development Department summarized a lengthy public engagement process and introduced a draft zoning map that flags many mid‑block boundaries where a nonresidential district meets residential lots without a street separation. Saunders outlined three general policy choices for resolving mid‑block boundaries: favor the majority of the block, favor the less‑intensive use, or favor upzoning to the more intensive use. He also reviewed the draft allowed‑use table and noted state limits on local control of business origin and operating hours.
Board direction and votes: The board indicated by voice/thumb that it supports further adjustments to mid‑block boundaries and alignment of the zoning map with the city's future land use map and growth policy. The board also indicated support for permitting neighborhood‑scale nonresidential uses in the RD/RA/RB residential districts (for example small personal‑service businesses, limited retail and neighborhood‑scale restaurants) subject to appropriate form and performance standards. On housing counts, members asked staff to return with concrete options; the board specifically supported allowing at least four units in RA‑designated structures and asked staff to examine RB options (including the single‑staircase approach now available under recent building‑code changes) and report back.
Public comment: Residents raised concerns about uncompensated upzoning in historic neighborhoods. Jim Webster (Bon Ton neighborhood) and Christopher Spojis (Bozeman resident) urged retaining RA for certain older blocks. Natsuki Nakamura asked the board to consider "putting some sort of reasonable limits on a maximum for more predictability" and warned that legislative changes on parking and unit sizes can create incentives for micro‑units absent local guardrails.
Staff next steps: Saunders said staff will use the board's direction to refine the draft zoning map and use tables, produce a keyed list of proposed boundary adjustments, and return with recommended code language for the commission to consider. The UDC process remains on a schedule tied to the state's May 17, 2026 deadline for adoption of a revised code.
Why it matters: Map edits and use‑table changes determine where neighborhood services can locate and how much housing can be built by right in established neighborhoods. The discussion balanced neighborhood character, public infrastructure capacity, and state preemptions on certain local controls.
Provenance: UDC discussion opened at 00:32:52 and continued through extensive public comment and board deliberation (topic segment spans 00:32:52 to about 02:53:06).
