Staff recommends the Interim Planning Commission review the Billings2045 Operational Land Use Plan, the Future Land Use Map, proposed amendments to the City Zoning regulations and proposed amendments to the City Subdivision regulations, and make a recommendation to the City Council to adopt all of these elements of Billings2045.

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, as well as amend local zoning and subdivision regulations to meet the new processes required in MLUPA. Billings 2045 serves as a comprehensive plan that addresses land use, economic development, housing, public services, and natural resources.

The Interim Planning Commission per MLUPA is the body that facilitates the local development process for Billings2045 and makes recommendations to the City Council on adoption of the Billings2045 components: Operational Land Use Plan, Future Land Use Map, proposed amendments to the City Zoning regulations and proposed amendments to the City Subdivision regulations. The IPC is scheduled to make recommendations to the City Council at this meeting. The City Council is scheduled to consider the IPC recommendations and take action on May 11, 2026.

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 Interim Planning Commission per MLUPA is the body that facilitates the local development process for Billings2045 and makes recommendations to the City Council on adoption of the Billings2045 components: Operational Land Use Plan, Future Land Use Map, proposed amendments to the City Zoning regulations and proposed amendments to the City Subdivision regulations. The IPC has met 13 times since May 2025 in its roll as community sounding board and subject matter experts as the Billings2045 process has advanced to the point of final draft documents for adoption. In addition to the IPC meetings and discussions, the City in coordination with the consultant team for this effort, hosted two "Community Planning Weeks", one in November 2025 and one in April 2026 to provide direct outreach and engagement with community members and stakeholders. Further outreach efforts have included public notices, radio and television ads and stories, billboards, distribution of Billings2045 information to businesses across Billings, direct speaking engagements with service organizations, an interactive web presence at Billings2045.com, including a community survey that garnered more than 1,100 responses. City Planning Division staff also scheduled special work sessions, presented at multiple City Council Business meetings, including a joint IPC and City Council meeting, and held small group Council discussions, to provide forums for discussion, education, and to seek direction from the City Council during the process.

Staff expects the Billings2045 Operational Plan will need amendments in the short term in specific areas to fine tune the planning documents and map, but the Montana Legislature has required adoption of the MLUPA components by May 17, 2026, and so the components before the IPC at this meeting are set up to be advanced on IPC recommendation to the City Council at its May 11 meeting to result in a planned first reading of the plan documents prior to May 17.

The IPC may:
-Recommend City Council adopt the Billings2045 components: Operational Land Use Plan, Future Land Use Map, proposed amendments to the City Zoning regulations and proposed amendments to the City Subdivision regulation; or
-Recommend City Council adopt with modifications the Billings2045 components: Operational Land Use Plan, Future Land Use Map, proposed amendments to the City Zoning regulations and proposed amendments to the City Subdivision regulation; or

-Recommend City Council not adopt the Billings2045 components: Operational Land Use Plan, Future Land Use Map, proposed amendments to the City Zoning regulations and proposed amendments to the City Subdivision regulations. 
-Delay action on making a recommendation.
Not recommending City Council adopt the Billings2045 components, or delaying action on making a recommendation, may result in the City not meeting the May 17 deadline imposed by the Montana Legislature to enact MLUPA.