[The BDC is really excited to see this forward-thinking from the City Manager and the Director of Community Development]

Dear Bozeman Development Consortium,

Over the next few months, you will see some significant shifts in procedures as you navigate the development review processes with the City of Bozeman. We are well into the configuration stage of new software that will move us to a simplified and fully web based submittal and review process for all development applications with implementation set for early this summer.

I would also like to announce that with guidance from our City Manager we are currently encouraging “bundled” applications. What does this mean to you? Simply stated the Community Development Department will accept concurrent review of correlated application types. An example may be, the ability to submit for Annexation, Zoning and Subdivision at the same time or submitting for Subdivision and Site Plan at the same time. While we will continue to stager Site Plan approval with Building Permit submittal, both Planning and Engineering will be looking for opportunities to approve applications as soon as possible with conditions when needed and overlap of Building Permit submittals will be allowed when appropriate.

In addition to these changes we are working on more dependable review timelines with strict staff accountability and increased communication. I want to thank you all for your patience as we work to improve our systems and process. Improvement in the City’s development review process has a great deal of support from both City Management and the City Commission, they have invested in our personnel and have given us the resources necessary to move forward. With your cooperation I am confidant you will see the impact of these investments.

Respectfully,

Marty Matsen Community Development Director