Growth Policy

Comprehensive Planning and Community Development

In 2021, the City Planning Department oversaw the development of the City of Livingston Growth Policy. The adopted Growth Policy is an official public document that is intended to guide the future social, physical, environmental, and economic growth and development of the City. A major update to the Growth Policy was adopted on June 15, 2021. It was intended to provide direction for the City, assist in prioritizing funding decisions and help set a course of action to help the City thrive. Montana Code Annotated (MCA) identifies several elements that must be addressed in the Growth Policy including provisions to guide land use, transportation, economic development, housing needs, and population projections. 

Housing Action Plan

In June of 2022, the City Commission adopted the 2022 Housing Action Plan as an appendix to the current Growth Policy. This community-based effort to lay out a comprehensive plan and approach been led by the Human Resource Development Council of District IX (HRDC)’s community development team, following the 2021 Park County Housing Coalition Needs Assessment. From the very beginning, the goal of this work has been to create a community-based collaborative effort to increase opportunities for Park County residents to access housing where they can afford to live and thrive. The Park County Housing Coalition helped inform the priorities and strategies proposed in the draft housing action plan. Details about the current conditions, preliminary impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and unique set of opportunities and challenges with the regulatory environment in the region can be found in the 2021 housing needs assessment, a supporting document to the housing action plan.

Trails and Active Transportation Plan

Adopted as an appendix to the Livingston Growth Policy in May of 2022, The Livingston Trails and Active Transportation Plan is a timeless plan that has specific goals, funding options, and commitment to maintenance. Through its implementation, the City, its people, and its partners will:

• Create citywide safe routes for people who walk, bike, and hike,
• Connect all neighborhoods to all schools and community gathering places,
• Construct a system that is safe and accessible for people with assistance needs,
• Prioritize routes for implementing year-round maintenance and management practices,
• Reconfigure streets and overcome major barriers; and
• Develop an extended trail system that connects to county roadways, trails and public lands.

Growth Policy Implementation

In February 2023, City Manager Grant Gager announced a plan to begin implementing the City of Livingston Growth Policy. As detailed in the presentation included below, the initial work plan will focus on four areas: Housing; Resiliency; Place-making and Community Character; and the Land Use Recommendations in Chapter 11 of the Policy. The City of Livingston Community is encouraged to follow the implementation process with the documents below and also by attending meetings of the City advisory boards and committees that will be tasked with evaluating policy solutions.