Residents and commissioners press Bozeman to pause new 90‑foot B3 height rule and tie extra height to affordable housing

Dozens of residents urged the Bozeman City Commission on Jan. 13 to pause a recent increase in allowed building height in B3 zoning and to require any extra height be exchanged for affordable housing or cash contributions.

At the meeting, Northside resident Mary Bateson asked the commission to "restart a code process to amend the code" to retain the 70‑foot limit in B3 zones and, if that process would take too long, to "enact a moratorium on buildings larger than 70 feet" while the amendment proceeds. Midtown resident Daniel Carty cited the city's 2025 Q2 economic and market report and told the commission that the report shows about 1,900 units were built in 2024–25 and that the vacancy rate for those new units is 44.2%; he said the data shows new multifamily units are not affordable to the workforce and argued the city should allow 90‑foot buildings only in exchange for on‑site affordable housing or equivalent cash‑in‑lieu.

Speakers representing neighborhood groups and preservation interests echoed those requests. Natsuki Nakamura of the Better Bozeman Coalition said the change from 70 to 90 feet "gives up one of the few tools left in the toolbox" without producing affordable units or cash, and Jim Webster reported a petition with 124 signatures asking the commission to pause enactment to allow more community discussion.

Developers and others who spoke urged preserving leverage. Developer David Loesseff described delivering workforce housing in the past and warned that granting extra height without conditions would forfeit an important local tool to secure affordability. Several speakers called on the commission to consider requiring on‑site affordable units or a cash contribution when extra height is granted.

Commissioners acknowledged the public concern and discussed next steps. Commissioner Sweeney and others asked staff to explore options and whether the item could be added to the Jan. 27 meeting agenda to provide the public further opportunity for input. The commission did not take formal action on the B3 height during the Jan. 13 meeting; staff were asked to report back and commissioners suggested submitting correspondence to help set the agenda timeline.

What happens next: Commissioners asked staff to examine procedural options and to confirm whether an agenda item on the B3 height can be placed for Jan. 27 or a subsequent meeting; no ordinance change or moratorium was adopted on Jan. 13.