// ANOTHER LOOK AT UPDATING SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS

City Council is holding another discussion tonight on updating subdivision regulations. This is the second discussion for City Council, with at least one more meeting to approve the changes after a lengthy public process.

• Feb 13: staff presentation to private sector interests
• Mar 12: discussion at Planning Board meeting
• Mar 26: Planning Board meeting, delayed 60 days
• Apr 23: staff meeting with the public
• May 7: staff meeting with the public
• May 29: Planning Board meeting, unanimous approval
• Jun 3: City Council Work Session

A month ago, we wrote about the need for a lighting requirement in new subdivisions that would build safety into Billings neighborhoods. At the previous meeting, we asked City Council to adopt the new lighting requirements and ensure they conform to the latest Illumination Engineering Society (IES) standards for luminance/brightness, glare, and light temperature.

Beyond public safety there are a number of good reasons to support additional lighting in new neighborhoods:

• Traffic safety improves with better lighting
• Increased property values for home owners
• Cost-effective to install at construction
• The Growth Policy calls for it: "Zoning and subdivision regulations that utilize Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) strategies result in safer neighborhoods." (pg. 3)

Besides adding lighting to new subdivisions, the City is making other changes, including updates required by recent legislation. One of those changes requires an expedited review of subdivisions that meet the criteria established in MCA 76-3-623. To qualify for expedited review, the subdivision needs to:

• Comply entirely with locally adopted zoning regulations
• Comply entirely with design standards
• Plans include development of public infrastructure

If it is determined that a subdivision meets the appropriate criteria for expedited review, deadlines are established for staff review and procedures, the time it takes for the Planning Board to hold a public hearing (35 days), and how long City Council has to make a decision (35 days). 

Streamlining processes will be beneficial in providing more of the housing that we need. The Governor's Housing Taskforce is looking at additional opportunities to speed up housing development in their latest draft recommendations report. You can read more by clicking the link below.

// WORK SESSION AGENDA - 5:30 p.m. - BILLINGS CITY HALL

In this section, we will include the meeting agenda for you to view. Clicking on the items will take you to more information. No need to read it all, but if something catches your eye, be sure to check it out.

CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Cole 

PUBLIC COMMENT ON ALL ITEMS. Comments are limited to three (3) minutes during each public comment period or as set by the Mayor. 

1. Subdivision Regulation Updates.

-Public Comment Click to View 

2. Aquatic Study Results.

-Public Comment Click to View 

HIGHLIGHT UPCOMING AGENDA ITEMS OF COUNCIL INTEREST: 

COUNCIL DISCUSSION: 

PUBLIC COMMENT on “NON-AGENDA ITEMS”. Comments are limited to 3 minutes or as set by the Mayor.

ADJOURN:

// WATCH THE MEETING ON COMMUNITY 7 TELEVISION

// CITY ADMINISTRATOR WEEKLY REPORT

City Administrator Chris Kukulski began the routine of sending a weekly report every Friday to City Council and department heads with the intent to, "communicate the highlights of the past week and any critical issues coming up." The most recent CA Report includes updates on:

• City and Teamsters reach tentative contract agreement
• Update on Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan
• And much more...

// GET MORE INVOLVED IN YOUR COMMUNITY

Below are some additional public meetings being held this week, along with information about when and where to attend, and what's on the agenda (if one is available).

Tuesday, July 2nd

City Zoning Commission

4:30 - 6:00 pm @ Miller Bldg, 1st Floor Conf. Room, 2825 3rd Ave. N.

Agenda here.

Wednesday, July 3rd

North Park Neighborhood Task Force

7:00 - 8:00 pm @ North Park Community Center

// THE SQUEAKY WHEEL

// BOARD & COMMISSION OPENINGS

The Mayor's Office is accepting letters of interest to fill the vacancies listed on the city website. For more information on each specific board, visit the city website. City Boards and Commissions are appointed by the Mayor, confirmed by City Council, are advisory only, and members serve without compensation.

Submit applications to: Mayor's Office, PO Box 1178, Billings, MT 59103-1178 NO LATER THAN APRIL 1st .*

BOARD OPENING (SEATS)

Human Relations Commission (2)

REQUIREMENTS

Must live in Billings

* - this has not been updated on the city website.

// IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Our partners at Big Sky Economic Development are undertaking an important initiative to help retain and recruit talent to our region and support our local employers with their current and future workforce needs. One component of this initiative is a survey of area residents to gather perceptions of the region as a place to live and/or work. 

This survey is being conducted in partnership with Development Counsellors International (DCI), an agency that specializes in destination, business investment and talent attraction branding and marketing. The information DCI gathers will guide the region’s overall talent retention and attraction strategy.

Workforce attainment/readiness is a top issue for our members and we encourage your participation in the survey to ensure the data gathered is significant and representative.

// ADDITIONAL BILLINGS CHAMBER RESOURCES

// BUSINESS ADVOCACY SPONSORS