August 12, 2025

Consultant Team Completes Successful

Community Engagement Trip

The City of Billings and our consulting team have successfully completed an intensive three-day community engagement trip from August 4-6, 2025, marking a significant milestone in the development of Billings' comprehensive land use plan and future land use map. This collaborative effort represents the first major step in a comprehensive planning process that will guide our community's growth and development through 2045.

Building Relationships, Gathering Insights

Over the course of three days, our planning team conducted extensive stakeholder roundtables with key community leaders, organizations, and residents representing every facet of Billings' diverse community. These conversations provided invaluable insights into what makes Billings special, the challenges we face as a growing city, and the opportunities that lie ahead.

Stakeholder

Engagement

Process

The roundtable discussions brought together voices from across our community, including representatives from:

Public Health

& Services

Healthcare providers and social service organizations explored connections between land use and community health.

Economic Development

& Housing

Local developers, housing advocates, and economic development professionals shared perspectives on Billings' growth trajectory and housing needs.

Utilities

& Infrastructure

City staff and utility providers examined the infrastructure needs required to support future development.

Schools

& Education

School district representatives and education advocates discussed how land use decisions impact our educational system.

Transportation

& Mobility

Transportation planners, advocacy groups, and infrastructure experts discussed how we move people and goods throughout our region.

Community

Character

Historic preservation groups and cultural organizations discussed maintaining Billings' unique identity as we grow.

Public

Safety

Law enforcement and emergency services professionals examined how planning decisions affect community safety..

Parks, Trails

& Open Space

Recreation professionals and outdoor enthusiasts emphasized the role of green spaces in maintaining our quality of life.

Environment

& Sustainability

Environmental organizations and sustainability advocates highlighted the importance of protecting our natural resources while accommodating growth.

Understanding Our Community

Throughout these discussions, several key themes emerged that will guide our planning efforts. Participants consistently highlighted Billings' strong sense of community, our strategic location as a regional hub, and the natural beauty of our rimrocks and river valley. At the same time, stakeholders identified important challenges including housing affordability, infrastructure capacity, and the need to balance growth with preservation of our community character.

The consulting team also conducted extensive field work throughout Billings, documenting existing land use patterns, development trends, and community assets. This on-the-ground assessment, combined with drone photography and detailed site analysis, will inform the technical analysis that forms the foundation of our land use plan.

Looking Ahead:

Your Voice Matters

This initial engagement trip represents just the beginning of an extensive public participation process that will continue over the next nine months. The insights gathered during these stakeholder roundtables will directly inform the development of a community-wide survey to be distributed this fall, ensuring that every resident has an opportunity to share their vision for Billings' future.

Upcoming

Opportunities

to Get Involved

  • Community Survey - Watch for a comprehensive survey coming this fall that will gather input from residents → throughout Billings

  • Virtual Roundtables - Additional online discussions will provide more opportunities for stakeholder engagement

  • Community Planning Workshops - In-person workshops scheduled for later this fall will allow residents to work directly with the planning team

  • Project Website - Regular updates and opportunities to provide feedback online throughout the planning process