Regular 3.
Regular City Council Meeting
- Meeting Date:
- 08/08/2016
- TITLE
- Resolution to Adopt the 2016 City of Billings Growth Policy
- PRESENTED BY:
- Candi Millar
- Department:
- Planning & Community Services
Presentation:
PROBLEM/ISSUE STATEMENT
The City Council approved a Resolution of Intent to Adopt the City of Billings Growth Policy on July 25, 2016. The Growth Policy provides guidance to decision-making bodies of the City of Billings on matters of land use and infrastructure investment. It is not a regulatory document; however, it does provide information on the public preference on how Billings grows and where it grows in the next 20 years. If the City Council finds that the Growth Policy is in the best interest of the public, the attached resolution is written to adopt the Policy without additional revisions.
State law specifies that a jurisdiction should review an existing growth policy at least once every five years and revise the policy if necessary (76-1-601 (3)(f)(iii), MCA). The current policy, which incorporates both the City and County, was adopted in 2008. Updating the 2008 City of Billings/Yellowstone County Growth Policy was identified as a priority in the 2014 City Council Strategic Plan. The City Council recognized at that time that a policy was needed to achieve its goal of “comprehensive, cost-effective, and orderly growth.” Staff was directed to “prepare a comprehensive growth policy focused on existing service gaps in the City growth areas.” This action by City Council both initiated the process of preparing a growth policy for the City of Billings and provided a framework for the purpose of the document. State law also lists required elements that a growth policy must include (76-1-601 (2), MCA).
State law specifies that a jurisdiction should review an existing growth policy at least once every five years and revise the policy if necessary (76-1-601 (3)(f)(iii), MCA). The current policy, which incorporates both the City and County, was adopted in 2008. Updating the 2008 City of Billings/Yellowstone County Growth Policy was identified as a priority in the 2014 City Council Strategic Plan. The City Council recognized at that time that a policy was needed to achieve its goal of “comprehensive, cost-effective, and orderly growth.” Staff was directed to “prepare a comprehensive growth policy focused on existing service gaps in the City growth areas.” This action by City Council both initiated the process of preparing a growth policy for the City of Billings and provided a framework for the purpose of the document. State law also lists required elements that a growth policy must include (76-1-601 (2), MCA).
ALTERNATIVES ANALYZED
The City Council may approve the Resolution to adopt the Growth Policy, adopt the Policy with revisions, or reject the Growth Policy (76-1-604 (1), MCA). If the City Council adopts the Policy with revisions, a Resolution to Adopt as Revised will be brought back to the Council for its action at a later date. If the City Council rejects the 2016 City of Billings Growth Policy, the existing 2008 Growth Policy will remain in effect.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Adopting the Billings Growth Policy will have no direct financial impact to the City. However, the Policy demonstrates that the Infill and Adjacent Parcels growth pattern is most cost effective. Maintenance and replacement costs were not factored into the scenario planning. It stands to reason that infill development will require replacement and repair of existing infrastructure sooner than newer development in the north and west scenarios. This repair and replacement of existing infrastructure will be necessary regardless of the growth area as the majority of the City population still live in areas served by existing infrastructure and rely on this infrastructure. Adoption of the Billings Growth Policy should provide guidance to the City in making financial decisions that are cost effective and efficient in delivering City services.
RECOMMENDATION
The Yellowstone County Board of Planning and staff recommend that the City Council approve the Resolution to Adopt the 2016 City of Billings Growth Policy.