The City Council has begun the process of making amendments to the South Billings Boulevard Urban Renewal Plan. The Council has found that projects and programs being contemplated in 2019 are not included in the Plan that was adopted in 2008. The City would like to be able to fund directly, or bond for projects in the South Billings Boulevard Urban Renewal District (SBBURD) and amendments to the Plan must be made to accommodate current and future projects and programs. Two major projects that are being focused on in the near term are expansion of a law enforcement evidence facility and a community recreation center in the SBBURD.

As part of the process to amend the Plan called out in Montana Code for urban renewal districts, the Yellowstone County Board of Planning must review the proposed Plan amendments and make a recommendation to the City Council that the Plan is in conformance with the 2016 City of Billings Growth Policy. This review by the Board is somewhat less intense than its initial review of the 2008 SBBURD Plan. The difference is that the City is not forming an urban renewal district and not expanding the SBBURD boundaries. This amendment is solely focused on inclusion of projects and programs for future community consideration and funding with urban renewal funds. This is Seciton 13 of the SBBURD Plan (See Amended Draft Attached).
 

The City Council has begun the process of making amendments to the South Billings Boulevard Urban Renewal Plan. The Council has found that projects and programs being contemplated in 2019 are not included in the Plan that was adopted in 2008. The City would like to be able to fund directly or bond for projects in the South Billings Boulevard Urban Renewal District (SBBURD) and amendments to the Plan must be made to accommodate current and future projects and programs. Two major projects that are being focused on in the near term are expansion of a law enforcement evidence facility and a community recreation center in the SBBURD.

The City must follow the process to create or amend urban renewal plans in as defined in Montana Code. A step in that process includes the Planning Board reviewing plan amendments to ensure they conform to the 2016 City of Billings Growth Policy. The City Council is scheduled to conduct a public hearing at its meeting on July 8 to consider first reading of an ordinance to amend the SBBURD Plan.

Staff has provided some examples below of how the proposed amendments conform to the 2016 City of Billings Growth Policy. The Board also may review Section 14 of the SBBURD Plan (See Amended Draft Attached) for further reference to the Growth Policy Growth Guidelines outlined below:

Parks & Recreational Amenities – Construct and enhance public facilities that will increase the quality or quantity of parks and recreational activities within the District. This may include, but is not limited to, a recreation center, swimming pool, ice arena, indoor and outdoor park development, and other amenities.
 
Place Making (Enhance, maintain, preserve, and improve existing public places)

• A multi-use community recreation facility is desirable

Essential Investments (relating public and private expenditures to public values)

• Developed parks that provide recreation, special amenities (community gardens, dog parks, viewing areas), and active living opportunities are desirable for an attractive and healthy community

 
Public Safety – Construction of Police or Fire facilities within the District, to include necessary furnishings for such facilities.

Essential Investments (relating public and private expenditures to public values)

• Public health and safety and emergency service response are critical to the well-being of Billings’ residents, businesses, and visitors

 
Walking Paths and Trails – Construct sidewalks, trails and pathways throughout the District with landscaping to ensure the safety of children and all pedestrians, as well as provide access to neighborhoods and services.

Essential Investments (relating public and private expenditures to public values)

• The safety of all users and the connectivity of the transportation system are important criteria to consider in roadway designs and transportation plans

 
Community Fabric (attractive, aesthetically pleasing, uniquely Billings)

• Planning and construction of interconnected sidewalks and trails are important to the livability of Billings

 
School and Community Services – Assist in funding projects and programs in the District to enhance school playgrounds and athletic fields, health and wellness programs, access to community meeting and activity spaces, and other efforts that improve access to school and community services.
 
Mobility and Access (transportation choices in places where goods and services are accessible to all)

•  “Safe Routes to Schools” promotes physical health and reduces vehicle trips, earning parents more time and less costs for transportation

 

There is no direct fiscal impact by making a recommendation of conformance of this amendment to the South Billings Boulevard Urban Renewal Plan with the 2016 City of Billings Growth Policy. However, making this amendment will make the Plan more flexible to address project and program funding with urban renewal funds in the future, enabling the City to consider using its other resources for projects and programs outside of the SBBURD. 

Staff recommends the Yellowstone County Board of Planning review the proposed Plan amendments and make a recommendation to the City Council that the Plan as amended is in conformance with the 2016 City of Billings Growth Policy.