Bozeman Growth Policy Update Release
Gallatin Grassroots Forum
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.
Gallatin Grassroots Forum
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. For County Commissioner e-mail addresses click here.
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/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!