Addendum 1 - RFP - Questions and Answers.pdf

1. Is the City expecting to move toward a form-based code or work with more traditional Euclidean zoning?

While the City is not considering a strict form-based code at this time, there are several goals, objectives and/or strategies in the Growth Policy that support a form-based code, including those related to establishing Gateway Overlay Districts, promoting traditional neighborhood designs in new development, and encouraging block and alley and gridded street networks. The City’s newly adopted PUD Ordinance allows flexibility from traditional development standards as a means to encourages consideration of form and function to produce context specific site design. that The City is open to incorporating an appendix or other supplement to the code that links zoning to form-based requirements.

2. Livingston Growth Policy addresses updating codes to balance housing with traditional neighborhoods/ existing neighborhoods. What outreach and input have you received to inform the code update effort?

The planning process for the 2021 Growth Policy garnered more than 1,500 public comments over the course of 36 months. This was accomplished in the midst of social controls placed on public meetings during the COVID-19 pandemic. As stated above, there are goals, objectives and/or strategies in the adopted Growth Policy that promote traditional neighborhood designs that are compatible with existing neighborhoods and that also encourage new development to follow Livingston’s historic block and alley development pattern.

3. The Growth Policy Implementation Plan outlines an Advisory Board – is that something this effort can utilize as a sounding board for review/ decision making?

Yes, a Steering Committee will be assigned to provide support and facilitate community feedback during the code update process. Additionally, the City’s Consolidated Land Use Board will review and make recommendations on the Draft Code Updates before they are presented to the City Commission.

4. How important is it for Livingston to prioritize Historic Preservation efforts, and has the City had any input/conversations around balancing preservation efforts with building new housing?

The adopted Growth Policy includes several recommendations to support identification and preservation of historic resources in the City. Livingston is a designated Certified Local Government community and, as such, receives federal historic preservation pass-thru funds from the MT SHPO annually to support historic preservation efforts. Additionally, Historic Design Review by the City’s Historic Preservation Commission is required for all exterior and signage modification of any structure within the Downtown Historic District. Efforts are underway to identify long-vacant hotel rooms on the upper floors of several of Livingston’s oldest downtown buildings and funding through the City’s Urban Renewal Agency (whose jurisdiction overlaps with the Downtown Historic District) has been designated for residential renovations within the district.

5. How does the city anticipate this code update to correlate with updated building codes, and does the city anticipate coordination with the city's building department to ensure consistency between land use and building codes?

The City adheres to the International Building Code and building setbacks and height restrictions are implemented in the zoning code.

6. What other city/regional departments and agencies will be key partners in this process?

Several organizations have publicly expressed support for this zoning code update, including the Park County Environmental Coalition and the Park County Housing Authority. The City anticipates that representatives from these organizations, as well as from key City Departments, will be beneficial to include in the code update process.