The update to Bozeman's growth policy is being released. The document will
be available by January 2nd. It may be found electronically at the City's
website, www.bozeman.net. Hard copies will be available for review at the
Bozeman Public Library, 626 E Main Street, Bozeman; the City Manager's
office at City Hall, 121 N Rouse Avenue, Bozeman, Bozeman Planning
Department, 20 E. Olive Street, Bozeman, and at the Renne Library
Circulation Desk on the campus of Montana State University.

The centerpiece of Bozeman's commitment to its future is its growth policy.
This document coordinates between many issues; avoiding conflict, and
maximizing return on private and public efforts. Chapters pull together
critical concepts and address important issues in a concise way. Bozeman has
identified seven key principles in organizing its future physical
development. These principles are further described in Chapter Three.

   - Centers – Focal points for the community.
   - Neighborhoods – Small town within a city.
   - Sense of Place – We know where we are and why.
   - Natural Amenities – Streams, and trails, and skiing, oh my!
   - Urban Density – Good things come in compact packages.
   - Integration of Action – Keeping both hands working to the same purpose.
   - Sustainability – Thinking of the future in today's actions.

The Planning Board has made numerous efforts to gather and incorporate the
thoughts and priorities of any interested parties. To continue this outreach
and provide an opportunity for comment on the plan as a whole, public
hearings with the Planning Board are scheduled for *Wednesday, January 21,
2009* and *Tuesday, February 3, 2009*. Both hearings will be held at the
City Commission room, 121 N. Rouse Avenue, Bozeman at 7 p.m.

Hello cyclists, pedestrians, and motorists!  You will be happy to hear about
the *completion* of the "*Greater Bozeman Area Transportation Plan Update*".
As you may already be aware, over the past eighteen months this important
document has been updated to include a well balanced (*non-motorized*)
approach to our local transportation management.  We should be proud to live
in such a progressive community – and look forward to many years of
successful improvements!

The time has come to address our elected officials to encourage
adoption.  *Adoption
of this plan is critical at both County & City levels.*  Public Hearings on
this plan will occur in the next few weeks and will be a perfect opportunity
to voice the importance of safe communities and healthy transportation
choices!  We NEED individuals (and families) to share their remarks and
advocate for adoption of this plan, so we can ensure a quality future for
everyone.  *Please read the materials listed below and provide a short
message of support to your local elected officials now!*   Transportation
Plan 2007 Update will be reviewed by the *Belgrade** Planning Board Monday,
January 26, 2009*; by the County Planning Board Tuesday, January 27, 2009; *and
by the County Commission on Tuesday, February 10, 2009*.  *The Bozeman City
Commission will hold its public hearing for the document on Tuesday, January
20, 2009.*   You are welcome to attend any of the following meetings to
express your interest in the Plan:

*City Commission
*6:00 PM Tuesday, January 20
Commission Room
City Hall, 121 N. Rouse

*Belgrade City-County Planning Board
*7:00 PM Monday, January 26
Belgrade City Hall
91 East Central

*Gallatin** County** Planning Board
*6:00 PM Tuesday, January 27
Community Room
Gallatin County Courthouse
311 W. Main

*County** Commission*
9:00 AM Tuesday, Feb. 10
Community Room
Gallatin County Courthouse
311 W. Main

For City Commissioner e-mail addresses click
here<http://www.bozeman.net/bozeman/government/commission/yourCommissioner...>.
For County Commissioner e-mail addresses click
here<http://www.gallatin.mt.gov/Public_Documents/gallatincomt_commissioner...>
.

Some highlights of the plan include:

·         Fully re-written to integrate cyclists and  pedestrians in almost
every aspect of transportation planning.

·         Engineering team included an Internationally recognized bike/ped
consultant.

·         Extensive network of bike lanes and sidewalks are proposed (*along
with ideas for funding/maintenance*).

·         Represents a shift in philosophy towards including cyclists and
pedestrians on an equal stance with vehicles.

*Complete Streets*:

·         While the Transportation Plan calls for strong guidance towards
accommodating all users, whether by vehicle or by person, it has room for
progress.  To further our commitment to this philosophy, we need to call for
the future adoption of a "*Complete Streets Policy*".  *Complete
Streets*use policy level methods to make sure that streets are safe
for motorists,
transit, pedestrians, bicyclists, children, the elderly, people with
disabilities, and all users.  It may seem simple, but regulations for
enforcing the Transportation Plan will be critical for its success (e.g.*,
all subdivisions must include sidewalks*).  Our elected officials must hear
how safe streets are critical to the development of our valley and need to
be put into policy.

Please take moment and look at a short summary of the Transportation
Plan (*including
links to the project website*) & Complete Streets at the following site:

http://gallatingrassrootsforum.googlepages.com/transportationplan

*You can also delve into the details of the Plan through the following
venues*:

Your copy of the Public Draft can be downloaded from the "Project Info" page
on the project website.  The 4th project newsletter is also available on the
project website.

www.rpa-hln.com/bozeman/<http://www.rpa-hln.com/bozeman/bozemantransplan.htm>
bozemantransplan.htm <http://www.rpa-hln.com/bozeman/bozemantransplan.htm>

Hard copies and cd's are also available at the following locations:

*Gallatin** County** Courthouse*
*Gallatin** County** Planning Department (Room 108)*

311 West Main Street

*City of Bozeman Planning & Engineering Department*
20 E Olive Street

*City Hall*
*City of Bozeman Clerk*

*121 North Rouse Avenue*

*Bozeman** Public Library*
626 East Main Street

Renne Library

MSU Campus

Thank you for your continued interest in this planning project!