The Bozeman Historic Preservation Advisory Board met April 15 for an in-depth discussion of how the city's Certificate of Appropriateness process works and received a progress report from consultants updating the Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District design guidelines. Development Review Manager Brian Krueger walked the board through how staff applies design standards to projects ranging from minor home alterations to major downtown construction, noting his team processes nearly one approval application daily. Krueger emphasized that outright project denials are rare, as staff typically works with applicants through inadequacy letters and meetings to help them modify designs to comply with guidelines.
The Lakota Group consultants presented preliminary findings from a week of community engagement, proposing a tiered approach to design standards based on context. Under this framework, stricter standards would apply within the nine historic districts in the NCOD, with a middle tier for character areas adjacent to those districts and baseline standards elsewhere. Board members expressed support for the concept, noting it could clarify review processes and preserve the integrity of potential future historic districts. Key topics discussed included materiality standards, streetscape impacts, tree preservation, and handling of demolitions—with some board members emphasizing that materials quality and design character should matter across the district, not just in historic areas.
The board voted 4-1 to recommend the City Commission hold a public hearing on an interim zoning ordinance, though board members clarified this was to have the discussion rather than to endorse adoption. Board Member Ashley Wilson recused herself from that vote due to a personal development project. Staff will prepare a formal letter to the commission outlining the recommendation.