The City Council is being asked to consider adoption of the Exposition Gateway Concept Plan. Beginning in July 2012, Big Sky Economic Development Authority (BSEDA) collaborated with property owners and civic leaders in Billings to develop a concept plan for the Exposition Gateway area. The Exposition Gateway planning process addressed properties east of the East Billings Urban Renewal District. These properties straddle City and County boundaries. There are 11 properties, (8 owners) located within the City of Billings and 55 properties, (26 owners) located outside of the City within Yellowstone County. This planning effort aligns with the recommendation set forth in the East Billings Urban Renewal District Master Plan (Adopted July 2009) to develop a “mini master plan” for the Exposition Gateway. This concept plan is the result of an extensive and inclusive effort. It presents a number of recommendations and implementation actions that can be used to guide future development toward the long-term vision of a stronger, more dynamic and diverse economy within the Exposition Gateway.

The seven-member Exposition Gateway Steering Committee, property owners, and a team of consulting architects, engineers, economists and planners studied the area’s issues and opportunities. The consultant team completed a market assessment (see Appendix A) and conducted a number of in-depth interviews with property owners and representatives of public agencies (see Appendix C). The Exposition Gateway Steering Committee participated in and guided the planning process. The concept plan addresses many factors of the area including storm water, water, and sewer infrastructure, some transportation elements, as well as the potential market factors that will influence future development. A key element of this plan is dealing with the inadequacies of the currently existing infrastructure. This plan makes recommendations on how to best achieve progress and attached funding mechanisms as well.

Property owner workshops were held on October 16, 2012 and December 25, 2012. The consultant team presented the draft concept plan at a public meeting held on February 20, 2013. Of the 34 individual property owners within the study area, 21 are supportive of the plan, 3 are opposed, and 10 chose not to respond to a balloting process asking for their vote on the Plan. The Plan for this area was approved by the Yellowstone County Board of County Commissioners on May 28th, 2013. Adoption by the Big Sky Economic Development Board of Directors occurred June 13th.

The City Council may:
• Adopt the Exposition Gateway Concept Plan or
• Not adopt the Exposition Gateway Concept Plan

There is no direct financial impact to the adoption of the Exposition Gateway Concept Plan at this time.

Staff recommends the City Council adopt the Exposition Gateway Concept Plan as part of the 2008 Growth Policy.