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Council hears Billings 2045 updates; debate centers on lighting, Complete Streets and infill policy
Summary
Planning staff presented amendments and additions to Billings 2045 — the city’s multi-decade land-use plan — highlighting an infill policy, neighborhood plans, alignment with water/sewer master plans, Complete Streets fiscal analysis and proposed consideration of dark-sky (lighting) standards; council asked for further analysis and scheduled adoption for July 27.
Planning staff presented a work-session overview of Billings 2045 — the city’s future land-use plan adopted to meet a 2023 state requirement — and described additions to the plan meant to guide growth over the next 20 years. Staff emphasized the session was for discussion only and that no immediate amendments would be made without future council direction.
Key additions and implementation items described by staff included launching an infill policy review, continuing neighborhood-level planning (West End and Heights plans), aligning water and sewer master plans with the future land-use map, examining incentives for green infrastructure, and exploring how TIF funding or a local housing trust fund could support affordable housing initiatives. Staff said the implementation matrix lists suggested actions that would require separate council directives before staff begins work.
Council members pressed staff on several items. Council member Kennedy asked for a fiscal analysis of Complete Streets (staff said that analysis was completed and will be shared and discussed in a July 20 work session). Several council members debated a proposed dark-sky/lighting policy and how lighting requirements apply to subdivisions versus master-site plans; staff said existing standards apply to subdivisions and that an ordinance would be required to extend requirements to other developments. Council member Shaw urged prompt action on the infill policy and suggested using ticket surcharges or other funding mechanisms to address service costs tied to growth.
Staff said the interim planning commission will finish its review and return recommendations; the council was told Billings 2045 amendments are scheduled to come back for formal action on July 27. No votes were taken during the work session; council members requested more detailed cost and implementation information ahead of the adoption vote.
