Community Vitality

Introduction to CV Credits

Communities in the Greater Yellowstone region exist in a wide range of sizes and serve many different functions.  Tiny rural towns sustain a few hundred residents with modest amenities while other well established cities hold over 100,000 people and serve as the medical and shopping hub for rural residents within 100 miles or more.  In addition, seasonal populations swell in the vicinity of recreational resources or near national parks, creating an annual surge of activity which transforms the community to accommodate visitors and seasonal workers.  All of these communities share a common thread: the local residents maintain strong and proud connections to the surrounding lands and to each other.  For years these communities have grown around small businesses, local agriculture, and shared recreational resources.  It is important to preserve the unique characteristics of the Greater Yellowstone region and its people by encouraging development that complements existing communities, large and small.

Growth can mean positive change for towns and cities by stimulating the local economy.  However, poor planning can also deteriorate communities, stifling local business in favor of big corporations and trading close-knit neighborhoods for suburban sprawl.  In rural areas, private residences and gated developments often cut off access to public lands and recreational activities.  The prerequisite in this section, Community Engagement, requires developments to include the local community in the planning and design process.  Through collaboration, this approach encourages the developer to establish projects and relationships that are appropriate and positive contributions to the community identity.

The issues addressed in the Community Vitality category focus on inclusive communities.  If not carefully staged, urban gentrification can build physical and social barriers to healthy interconnected communities, often displacing the working class residents who are needed to support the development.  A thriving community depends on a diverse cross-section of inhabitants and activities.  The GY-Framework promotes productive and balanced communities by awarding points for mixed use developments, small businesses, employment opportunities, housing diversity, and affordable housing provisions, live-work proximity, continuity, and access to public spaces, and safe walkable neighborhoods.

Urban Land Use and Downtown Revitalization Design Team

Core Team Members

Scott Bechtle, Bechtle-Slade PC, Bozeman, MT

Bill Collins, Collins Planning Associates, Jackson, WY

Lisa J. Dokken, Ameya Preserve representative, Bozeman, MT

Anya K. Fiechtl, CTA Architects Engineers, Billings, MT

Arne Jorgensen, Hawtin Jorgensen Architects, Jackson, WY

Kenneth Ryder, Ken Ryder Construction, Inc, Bozeman, MT

Chris Saunders, City of Bozeman, Bozeman, MT

Ian S. Tuttle, Valley Advocates for Responsible Development, Victor, ID

Consulting Members

Terry Beaubois, MSU School of Architecture, Bozeman, MT

Ron Gompertz, Eco Auto, Inc., Bozeman, MT

Jeffrey Patlovich, Fremont County Planning and Building Dept, St Anthony, IDREQUIREMENTSREQUIREMENTSREQUIREMENTS

Andrew Porth, Porth Architects, Red Lodge, MT

Doug Self, Planning and Zoning Administrator, Driggs, ID

Holly Howard Wolf, Windermere Real Estate, Bozeman, MT

Facilitator

Patty Bean, Insights, Etc., Bozeman, MT