The Bozeman Historic Preservation Advisory Board held its March 31 meeting to discuss implementation of a proposed Local Landmark Program, the key initiative emerging from Phase 2 of the city's preservation planning efforts. Consultant Adrienne Burke of Community Planning Collaborative presented examples from other communities and outlined potential approaches for how Bozeman could designate and protect historically significant properties outside the existing Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District. The discussion revealed significant questions about the regulatory process required for such designations, with Community Development Director Erin George noting that the city attorney has indicated landmark districts would need to go through a zone map amendment process.
Board members raised concerns about the complexity and accessibility of the proposed procedures. Member Allyson Brekke expressed concern that routing landmark designations through the Community Development Board—rather than having the Historic Preservation Board's recommendation go directly to the City Commission—diverges from how she envisioned the program. Burke noted that in most landmark programs she has encountered, the preservation board's recommendation typically serves as the zoning decision without requiring separate planning board review. Staff committed to consulting further with the city attorney about potential alternatives to streamline the process.
The board also discussed whether landmark designations within the NCOD should carry regulatory authority or serve as honorary recognition with incentives such as heritage trail inclusion or facade grants. In other business, the board informally agreed to schedule a future discussion on interim zoning ordinances, and staff previewed an upcoming community engagement week for the Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District Design Guidelines project scheduled for April 13-17.