There is no action requested. Staff will provide City Council with an update on the Interim Planning Commission's recommendation and discussion, which was not available at the time this report was prepared.

The Billings 2045 Plan and Future Land Use Map were adopted by the City Council on May 11, 2026, in accordance with the Montana Land Use Planning Act. The proposed revisions of Billings 2045 refine organization, readability, and provide additional supporting information. Chapter 2 has been expanded to incorporate summaries of the Economic Analysis, including demographic characteristics, population projections, historical population trends, local economic conditions, income trends, workforce characteristics, and key employment sectors, while the full Economic Analysis remains in the appendix. Chapter 3, Serving the Community, has been added to provide an overview of community facilities, utilities, schools, parks, recreation, and public services. Chapter 4, Connecting Community, has been added to evaluate the transportation network and community connectivity. As a result of these additions, the remaining chapters have been renumbered to create a more logical organization of the document. The implementation strategy in Chapter 7 has also been updated to better align recommended actions with the revised plan structure and implementation priorities. These revisions do not alter the overall vision or policy direction of Billings 2045 but provide additional context, improve the organization of the plan, and enhance its usability for elected officials, stakeholders, and the public.

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 growth policy/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: 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 role as community sounding board and subject matter experts as the Billings 2045 process.

In addition to the IPC meetings and discussions, the City in coordination with the consultant team lead by Orion Planning and Design 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 Billings 2045 information to nearly 200 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 IPC and City Council during the process. Following adoption of the Billings2045 Operational Plan, the City continued public engagement efforts by hosting an open house on June 30, 2026, to gather public feedback on the proposed Operational Plan amendments and updates.

The Billings 2045 Plan and Future Land Use Map were adopted by the City Council on May 11, 2026, in accordance with the requirements of the Montana Land Use Planning Act (MLUPA). The amendments and updates currently before the City Council build upon the adopted Plan by adding additional chapters and planning elements that provide further guidance for implementing the community vision, goals, and policies established in Billings 2045.

Summary of Additions and Changes: 

Chapter 1, 'The Planning Process' there have been no changes in content or order to this chapter. 

Chapter 2, 'Building Community', has been expanded to include information regarding community composition and the local economy. This information was provided as part of the Economic Analysis from SB Friedman which existed in the appendix of the Plan. The Economic Analysis entire document will continue to exist in the appendix of the Plan, but adds summaries of the trends of the demographic characteristics, population projections, historical populations shifts, analysis of the local economy, income trends, workforce characteristics and key employment sectors. 

Chapter 3 was formerly, 'Present to Future' which has now become Chapter 6 due to the addition of new information in Chapter 3, 'Serving the Community'. 'Serving the Community', provides a comprehensive overview of the facilities and services that support residents and businesses, including utilities and service delivery, schools, and parks and recreation. The chapter evaluates existing conditions and identifies considerations to help ensure community services and infrastructure keep pace with future growth.

Chapter 4 was formerly, 'Plan to Reality' which has now become Chapter 7 due to the addition of new information in Chapter 4, 'Connecting Community'. 'Connecting to Community', evaluates Billings' existing transportation system and planning framework, including roadways, pedestrian and bicycle facilities, trails, transit, and freight. It also looks ahead to emerging technologies and community priorities while providing recommendations to improve connectivity, mobility, accessibility, and safety and support future growth envisioned in the Billings 2045 Plan.

Chapter 5, 'Community Character' is a new chapter which briefly discusses the various neighborhoods/neighborhood task forces within the City of Billings. As neighborhood specific plans are completed the Billings 2045 Plan and Future Land Use Map will be the overarching documents. Currently, the West End and Heights have specific neighborhood plans which will be in front of City Council for adoption. The Planning Division will work to develop or update existing neighborhood plans throughout the city.  

Chapter 6, 'From Present to Future' has no context changes and only changed in order within the Billings 2045 Plan as new information was added. 

Chapter 7, 'From Plan to Reality' has changed in order due to the additional information added to Billings 2045. The implementation matrix has been updated to include a few new strategies and removal of strategies that have been completed such as updating the Zoning Code or updating the Subdivision Regulations to comply with the Montana Land Use Planning Act. These items were fulfilled at the May 11, 2026 City Council meeting. 

Together, these chapter amendments provide additional implementation guidance and planning direction while remaining consistent with the vision and policy framework established through the adopted Billings 2045 Plan.

There are no direct fiscal impacts associated with this item at this time. The Billings 2045 planning effort has been funded through local funds and a $30,000 grant over the past three fiscal years.

Billings residents, property owners, businesses, builders, developers, community organizations, and other stakeholders all have an interest in the development and implementation of Billings 2045. The Future Land Use Plan (Billings 2045) and Future Land Use Map, adopted pursuant to the Montana Land Use Planning Act (MLUPA), guide future growth and development within the City. Under MLUPA, subdivisions and zone changes that are consistent with the adopted Future Land Use Plan and Future Land Use Map may be approved administratively rather than through a public hearing process. As a result, public participation in the development of Billings 2045 and the Future Land Use Map is essential to ensuring that future residential, commercial, and industrial growth reflects community priorities while accommodating the City's projected needs over the next 20 years.

This item is intended to receive feedback and direction from Council as implementation of the Montana Land Use Planning Act and Billings 2045 continues.