The Bozeman Historic Preservation Advisory Board approved draft language for a new Local Landmark Program and held a work session on demolition regulations at its June 17 meeting. The session was led by consultant Adrienne Burke from Community Planning Collaborative, who presented designation criteria requiring properties to meet three components: an age threshold of at least 50 years, the ability to convey significance through physical or cultural characteristics, and meeting one or more of eight criteria including association with heritage, events, notable persons, or distinctive design. Board members debated whether requiring just one criterion was sufficient, with member Michael Wiseman suggesting most landmark candidates would meet multiple criteria, but the board ultimately retained the one-or-more threshold. Members also voted to merge two redundant criteria regarding cultural heritage and themes, reducing the list from eight to seven.
Community Development Director Erin George briefed the board on existing demolition regulations for historic structures, which require applicants to submit economic analyses comparing rehabilitation costs to demolition and rebuild expenses. Planning Manager Brian Krueger, with 20 years of preservation experience, acknowledged the complexity of determining accurate and defensible cost figures. The board reviewed demolition data showing 14 approvals in 2025, with only one involving a contributing or eligible historic structure. The city's comprehensive property survey dates to 1984 and covers 2,412 of 2,797 parcels in the Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District; George noted a request for $100,000 in the fiscal year 2028 budget for updated survey work.
The meeting also marked the final session for outgoing Chair Chelsea Holling, whose term concluded. Community Development Director Erin George announced that the historic preservation planner position, vacated by Sarah Rosenberg, would be posted with updated job requirements emphasizing historic preservation qualifications. The board established a three-member subcommittee including Michael Wiseman, Allyson Brekke, and Ashley Wilson to advance demolition code revisions between meetings.