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Gallatin Valley, MT - Advisory Services Panel
December 22, 2023
Montana’s Gallatin Valley is rich in ranching and agricultural history and is a rapidly growing recreational destination. Surrounded by mountains and natural beauty, Gallatin County and the cities of Bozeman and Belgrade are striving to balance the influx of new development with the community’s desire to preserve the rugged character that makes the Gallatin Valley so beloved.
Bozeman, Belgrade, and Gallatin County have experienced notable growth in population since 2010. According to U.S. Census Bureau data, between 2010 and 2022 Gallatin County’s population increased by an estimated 35,344 persons (40 percent) to 124,857. A notable portion of that population growth occurred within the city of Bozeman which experienced a 51 percent (18,843) population increase to an estimated 56,123 persons, and neighboring Belgrade grew by an estimated 4,577 (62 percent) to 11,966 during the same period. This growth, which is likely to continue, has impacted these communities and presented numerous challenges.
The Gallatin Valley is experiencing a shortage of housing and an increase in the cost of housing. Rapid population growth has also put pressure on existing infrastructure as well as the need for additional infrastructure to support the expansion of these communities into areas such as The Triangle (the area between Belgrade, Bozeman, and Four Corners). Known for its natural beauty, recreational amenities, and close-knit community feel, these jurisdictions face a dilemma: How can the character and amenities that made this area so livable be maintained and accessible to all as population growth and development continues.
A group of stakeholders in partnership with the cities and the county have asked the Urban Land Institute to convene an Advisory Services panel to address this common, broad concern focusing on the areas of housing, infrastructure, and community character. Each of these communities participates in the Planning Coordination Committee (PCC) to coordinate expansion in the Triangle and this scope recognizes that to effectively address these issues, local as well as regional approaches may be necessary. Thus, the questions asked of the ULI panel reflect the cross-jurisdictional nature of the impact and challenges of rapid growth.
Photo By ULI
The panel was led by chair Alan Razak, AR Spruce LLC, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and included panelists Laura Bonich, Bonich Associates, Jackson, Wyoming; Lucia Garsys, Hillsborough County, Tampa, Florida; Molly McCabe, HaydenTanner, Big Fork, Montana, Gretchen Milliken, Milliken Design Development, Park City, Utah; Kim Morisaki, Northwest Montana Community Land Trust, Kalispell, Montana; George Ruther, Town of Vail, Vail Colorado; Scott Schoenherr, Rafanelli & Nahas, Boise, Idaho. ULI staff Lauren McKim Callaghan, Barbra Gustis, Karlee May, May Chow, and Kelly Annis supported the panel.
Date: October 15–20, 2023
Location: Gallatin Valley, MT
Sponsor: City of Bozeman, City of Belgrade, Gallatin County
Panel Chair: Alan Razak
The Advisory Services panel acknowledged the value of the previous planning work completed across the study area geography. The region is rich with guidance from previous planning efforts. From a focus on downtown districts to trails to wastewater, the three jurisdictions have the information needed to get to work guiding development in the Gallatin Valley (the Valley). In particular, the panel recommends moving forward with the implementation of The Triangle Community Plan, adopted in 2020 and addressing a geography that includes portions of Bozeman, Belgrade, and Four Corners. It is time to start doing.
Planning is key to community success and the Gallatin Valley is ready to take action. Plans are in place, addressing important community functions and goals, and leadership across Bozeman, Belgrade, and Gallatin County recognize the need to act collaboratively to implement the Triangle Plan that is now in place.
Across all the planning work completed to date and understanding the collective goals and concerns of the three jurisdictions, the panel identified the following key recommendations to guide development across the Gallatin Valley and help inform the important work ahead:
- Implement the Triangle Plan.
- The County should opt-in to SB382.
- Bozeman and Belgrade should annex and zone the Triangle. The County is encouraged to zone the rest of the county.
- Infrastructure planning across all three jurisdictions should support the zoning measures in place, funneling improvements and resources in areas to concentrate and support density while curbing sprawl and protecting open land.
- Conserve agricultural land across the Valley with new and existing tools, including transfer of development rights.
- Comprehensively analyze regional water supplies to plan for and manage future growth and ensure continued access to clean and safe water. A centralized wastewater treatment facility should be constructed.
- Bozeman is encouraged to leverage its Entitlement City status and invest resources to access Entitlement City funding and federal assistance.
- All three jurisdictions should collaborate to establish a Regional Housing Coalition that can leverage the power of the Valley to advocate for state-level housing legislation and supports.
- Affordable housing developments should be prioritized, and Valley jurisdictions are encouraged to modify the development review process to prioritize affordable housing, thus speeding delivery and reducing development risk.
- Community foundation(s) could leverage community wealth to positively impact the Valley.
- The Planning Coordinating Committee was an excellent first step toward collaborative planning in the region. Now it is time to take the next step and transform the PCC into the Gallatin Valley Planning Board, setting the stage for implementation of the Triangle Plan and the recommendations set forth by the panel.
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