Consultant presents Belgrade land‑use survey: residents prioritize sidewalks, downtown vitality and infrastructure

Charles Troll, a consultant with Cushing Terrell, told the City of Belgrade Planning Commission that a land‑use survey conducted Nov. 28–Jan. 1 drew 231 respondents and more than 343 open‑ended comments and that those responses largely reinforced themes from prior planning work.

“The survey opened on Black Friday, Nov. 28, and ran through Jan. 1 — about 33 days,” Troll said, adding that the survey included demographic, vision and land‑use questions plus a broad open‑ended prompt. Catherine King of the Community and Economic Development Department introduced Troll and said the survey results will feed the city’s land use plan update under the Montana Land Use Planning Act.

Troll said respondents skewed younger, with a large share in the 30–45 age range and many in married or child‑rearing life stages. When asked to pick words describing Belgrade, respondents often chose terms signaling a city that is “developing” or “emerging” while also valuing a family‑oriented, small‑town character.

Survey respondents repeatedly identified downtown Main Street as the community’s core and urged investments that support local retail and events so residents do not travel elsewhere for entertainment and shopping. Troll said many comments favored prioritizing infill projects that concentrate retail and mixed uses within existing areas.

Infrastructure and utilities were the most commonly cited practical concerns. Troll said the most frequent specifics were sidewalk gaps and continuity of bike lanes, followed by traffic mitigation at key intersections such as Jackrabbit and Frontage Road and concerns about water storage and wastewater capacity. “Sidewalk gaps and trail connections by far remain one of the top categories,” he said.

Other recurring priorities included preserving open space and farmland, strengthening parks and recreation (including pools and an aquatic center), and ensuring schools, public safety and other facilities keep pace with population growth. Troll noted the city’s population grew by more than 5,000 residents between 2010 and 2024, and several respondents tied housing and facility needs to that growth.

Troll described the project team’s coding approach and said the survey responses boiled down to six priorities: address primary transportation corridors, invest in walkable connected neighborhoods for families, identify and protect what makes Belgrade unique, improve design quality and development standards, strengthen parks and family amenities, and ensure infrastructure and public services keep up with growth.

In response to a commissioner question about what respondents meant by “infrastructure outpacing growth,” Troll said it was a mix — most commonly sidewalks and multimodal gaps, but also intersection congestion and utility capacity issues that will be coordinated with a water and wastewater master plan.

Troll said staff and the consultant team will use the survey and stakeholder feedback to develop draft recommendations and spatial maps, with an open house planned next month and a goal to advance the draft package between March and May. Catherine King emphasized the city’s existing outreach channels, including the Be Heard Belgrade platform and work by the Belgrade Chamber of Commerce, to engage residents on the next steps.

The Chair opened the floor for public comment and after three calls for speakers closed the public comment period with no speakers. The informational item concluded with no formal motion or vote; the meeting was adjourned at 6:50 p.m.