City staff outlines landmark program and NCOD design‑guidelines update, encourages public engagement

City staff updated the Community Development Board on two parallel projects: a local landmark program and an update to the Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District (NCOD) design guidelines.

Staff said the local landmark project began in 2023 and concluded its first phase in early 2025; phase 2 work is developing a framework for how a local landmark program would fit into municipal code, whether it would be voluntary or regulatory, and whether the program should apply inside the NCOD, outside it, or both. "Part of it is also the local landmark project reaches outside or can reach outside of the NCOD," staff said, noting the program could allow voluntary recognition (plaques, walking tours) or regulatory mechanisms depending on policy choices.

The NCOD design-guidelines update responds to a demand for clearer, more usable guidance; staff noted the current guidelines date to 2006 and that a refresh would help provide predictability and reflect best practices in historic preservation. Staff said the Lakota Group is the project consultant and scheduled engagement events next week: an open house Monday the thirteenth from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Bozeman Event Space on South Tracy, and a Historic Preservation Advisory Board meeting on the 15th at 6:00 p.m.

Board members asked about whether boundary adjustments to the NCOD would be considered and whether a zone‑map amendment would be necessary. Staff confirmed boundary changes would require a zone‑map amendment and emphasized no decisions have been made. Staff also said the City Commission accepted the phase‑one report "as a block" and that several action steps (including the design‑guidelines update) are still being evaluated in phase two.

Staff encouraged board members and residents to review materials on EngageBozeman and attend upcoming engagement events.