Staff recommends the City Council receive this informational update on the implementation of the Montana Land Use Planning Act (MCA Title 76, Chapter 25) through Billings 2045. No formal action is requested at this time. Staff is seeking general direction and feedback from City Council on specific elements as the process moves forward.

The Council has held three Special Work Sessions on Billings2045 to review and discuss the elements of the plan and mapping required, and to provide direction to staff. The focus of this agenda item tonight will be on three specific items:

• Clarification on the Encouragement of Development of Housing in MCA 76-25-302 - specifically Item A: Allow as a permitted use for at least a duplex where a single-unit dwelling is permitted. Council agreed to consider re-voting its direction on this item when all Council Members were present at one meeting.
• Clarification on whether Council wants to see any changes to the Future Land Use Map Land Use Category Designations as provided to the Council at the Special Work Session on March16 and March 27. This topic is critical as changes to the FLUM designations has broad implications for the FLUM and how the Land Use Plan addresses housing options across the community.
• Review of application processes under MLUPA and discussion of timelines with current notifications and future appeals.

In 2023, the Montana State Legislature passed Senate Bill 382, the Montana Land Use Planning Act (MLUPA), codified in Title 76, Chapter 25 of the Montana Code Annotated. The intent of the Act is to provide a comprehensive land use planning system that promotes the health, safety, and welfare of the people of Montana. The Act outlines that a municipality with a population at or exceeding 5,000 located within a county with a population at or exceeding 70,000 in the most recent decennial census shall comply with the provisions.

The Montana Land Use Planning Act mandates that municipalities develop and implement a Land Use Plan and Future Land Use Map (Billings 2045) to guide future development. Billings 2045 will serve as a comprehensive plan that addresses land use, economic development, housing, public services, and natural resources. The Council has held three Special Work Sessions on Billings2045 to review and discuss the elements of the plan and mapping required, and to provide direction to staff. A second Community Planning Week April 6 - 9 also was just concluded to receive feedback from the community on the draft Land Use Planning elements and the draft Future Land Use Map. Input from these latest outreach sessions is now being compiled to inform updates to the draft materials and compiling the documents to bring a draft to the Interim Planning Commission and Council.

The focus of this agenda item tonight will be on three specific items:

• Clarification on the Encouragement of Development of Housing in MCA 76-25-302 - specifically Item A: Allow as a permitted use for at least a duplex where a single-unit dwelling is permitted. Council agreed to consider re-voting its direction on this item when all Council Members were present at one meeting.
• Clarification on whether Council wants to see any changes to the Future Land Use Map Land Use Category Designations as provided to the Council at the Special Work Session on March16 and March 27. This topic is critical as changes to the FLUM designations has broad implications for the FLUM and how the Land Use Plan addresses housing options across the community.
• Review of application processes under MLUPA and discussion of timelines with current notifications and future appeals

There are no fiscal impacts associated with this item at this time. This is informational only and does not involve budgetary commitments.

The entire Billings community, including residence, business owners, and builders and developers are stakeholders in this process and adoption of Billings2045.

No formal alternatives are presented, as no formal action is being requested of City Council. This item is intended to receive feedback and direction from Council as implementation of the Montana Land Use Planning Act and Billings 2045 continues.