The Bozeman Community Development Board voted unanimously on April 20th to recommend RB zoning for a 9.979-acre parcel near Harvest Creek, despite objections from more than 60 public commenters who preferred lower-density zoning. The parcel, currently an unincorporated island surrounded by city limits, will be annexed and rezoned as part of the Fowler Avenue connection project. About half the land will become public right-of-way for planned street improvements, while the remaining acreage would be zoned Residential Mixed Use Low-Medium, allowing buildings up to roughly three full stories and a minimum density of eight dwelling units per acre.
Residents and the Harvest Creek HOA strongly opposed the RB designation, arguing that RA zoning would better match the surrounding single-family neighborhoods and existing development patterns in the area. Several commenters raised safety concerns about Annie Street becoming a cut-through route to nearby Emily Dickinson Elementary School. Transportation Director Nick Ross addressed these concerns, noting that the street project has been in development since 2021 and is now 90 percent complete, with a roundabout designed as a traffic-calming measure. He said the city would use actual speed and volume data to determine if additional traffic management is needed.
Board Member Jason Delmue moved for approval, walking the board through each review criterion and noting that staff findings supported all mandatory standards. He emphasized that most public comments focused on policy preferences rather than the specific review criteria the board evaluates. The recommendation now advances to the City Commission on May 5th. Earlier in the meeting, Economic Development Director Britt Fontenot presented an overview of his department's economic vitality strategy, its alignment with land use planning, and priorities including infrastructure investment, workforce development, and supporting local business growth.