The Bozeman Historic Preservation Advisory Board met July 15 to review early draft concepts for updated design standards in the Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District. Consultant firm Lakota Group presented a four-tier framework categorizing NCOD properties as Preservation, Preservation Eligible, Character, or Context, based on input from over 300 community participants. However, board members raised significant concerns about the proposal's complexity, with Preservation Planner Allyson Brekke questioning whether layered design guidelines were the right approach given the community recently approved a comprehensive Unified Development Ordinance. Board members emphasized that resident feedback has centered on two main issues: wanting enforceable standards and ensuring new construction fits neighborhood mass and scale—not micromanaging details like window placement. Commissioner Alison Sweeney noted she had never heard complaints about windows destroying neighborhood character, but frequently heard concerns about density and building size incompatibility.
By meeting's end, board members appeared to favor collapsing the framework from four tiers to three, combining the Character and Preservation Eligible categories. No formal vote occurred as the session was feedback-focused. Lakota Group will develop revised drafts, with a possible in-person visit in September. The board also advanced demolition code recommendations to Community Planning Collaborative and scheduled discussion of B-3 building heights and zone edge transitions for August 19, ahead of a City Commission work session on August 25. The board welcomed new member Lisa Weilbacher and confirmed Michael Wiseman as chair and Ashley Wilson as vice chair.