The East Billings Urban Renewal District (EBURD) Master Plan is a community vision for the long-term development and redevelopment of about 500 acres just east of the central downtown Billings area. It extends southwest to northeast from North 22nd Street to the Metra Park Arena and Exhibition Center Campus, and north-south from 6th Avenue North to Montana Avenue. The Master Plan study area follows the Tax Increment Finance District established in the 2006 East Billings Urban Renewal Plan. The process to prepare the EBURD Master Plan has taken about one year to complete and has involved the consultant team headed by the national planning firm EDAW-AECOM, Big Sky Economic Development Authority, the East Billings Industrial Revitalization District, the City Council and Board of County Commissioners, city and county staff, and many agencies and community members. Public meetings and a community planning charrette were held as part of the process, as well as several smaller stakeholder meetings.

The Planning Board conducted a public hearing on July 28, 2009, and is forwarding a recommendation to adopt the EBURD Master Plan to the City Council and the Board of County Commissioners. The Council at its July 6, 2009, work session heard a presentation on the EBURD Master Plan. The City Council at its August 24 meeting passed a Resolution of Intent to Adopt the EBURD Master Plan and set a date for a public hearing. The public hearing is scheduled for this meeting. The City Council has been provided CDs of the EBURD Master Plan. Hard copies of the Plan are on file in the City Clerk’s Office and Planning Division Office.

The City Council may:

• Adopt;
• Modify;
• Do not adopt; or
• Delay action for up to thirty (30) days.
   

There is no immediate financial impact by adopting this plan. The governing bodies and community will decide during implementation of the plan what projects and strategies to move forward with and identify funding for these projects at that time.

The Yellowstone County Board of Planning recommends the City Council adopt the EBURD Master Plan as part of the Yellowstone County and City of Billings 2008 Growth Policy.