Bozeman in the summer of 2020 saw an influx of out-of-town buyers who helped the median home price jump more than $88,000 from July to August. And the Gallatin Association of Realtors Market Watch is predicting the market to stay hot during the typically slower winter months. All this points to the undeniable fact that Bozeman is growing (whether we like it or not). So, what is Bozeman’s growth plan for the future?
The Bozeman City Commission approved a future growth policy on November 18, 2020 that lays out how the city will grow over the next 20 years. The plan will instruct how zoning, annexation and development decisions will play out. It emphasizes density, infill and sets an outline of how far the city will grow from its current footprint. Let’s look at some key info.
Strategic Plan
The Strategic Plan includes the action items that will help guide Bozeman’s growth plan for the future. I think these items are already strong in our community, which is why so many people are moving to Bozeman.
- An Engaged Community
- An Innovative Economy
- A Safe, Welcoming Community
- A Well-Planned City
- A Creative, Learning Culture
- A Sustainable Environment
- A High Performance Organization
Affordable Housing
Bozeman’s median home price is almost $600,000. It’s not cheap to live here and so the issue of affordable housing is one that the city is taking seriously. According to the newly developed Bozeman Housing Needs Assessment, an “estimated 5,405 to 6,340 housing units for residents and employees are needed by 2025, or an average of about 770 to 905 units per year.” These housing options will need to meet a full range of incomes and must exceed or match Bozeman’s job growth so new employees can find homes. If you dig into the future growth policy, you’ll see that the city has included a lot of mixed-use designations that will encourage housing in a variety of types, size and cost. Mixed-use is great because it embraces density and attract developments where you can live, work and play.
Bozeman Planning Area
The Planning Area is where the city’s future municipal water and sewer service boundaries will extend. It will be 70.8 square miles. The current footprint of Bozeman is 20.4 square miles. Much of the Planning Area is already developed and the city is encouraging new development that stays within the Planning Area. You can see it on the future land use map, which gives a really cool snapshot of what Bozeman will look like inside the next 20 years.
There is a reason why people are moving to Bozeman. You’ll feel it the minute you get here. Let me help you discover if Bozeman is the right place for you. Contact me at liz@windermere.com.
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