How to Make the Helena, Montana Urban Standards Boundary Work

Recent work by the American Planning Association’s professional institute’s Community Planning Assistance Teams program examined the case study provided by growth management challenges in and around the city of Helena, Montana.

1 minute read

June 21, 2015, 7:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


"A volunteer planning assistance team from the American Planning Association has provided Lewis & Clark County and the City of Helena with nine recommendations for addressing the region’s growth and development activities," according to an American Planning Association press release announcing the study.

"The team’s recommendations are covered in their final report Helena Urban Standards Boundary Workshop: Engage, Facilitate & Plan [pdf]. The recommendations are connected to the 2009 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the city and county on development issues, and the effort to develop standards for the area within the Urban Standards Boundary (USB)."

Recommendations focus on the potential of a collaborative planning process to align the growth strategies of the city and the country. The USB, which was designated by the city of Helena, provides a roadmap for annexation of county properties into the city. According to the report, however, the USB "[lacks] a plan to guide the annexation processes and development methods to promote a new pattern of compact development." 

Wednesday, June 17, 2015 in American Planning Association

Aerial view of Eugene, Oregon at dusk with mountains in background.

Eugene Ends Parking Minimums

In a move that complies with a state law aimed at reducing transportation emissions, Eugene amended its parking rules to eliminate minimum requirements and set maximum parking lot sizes.

December 3, 2023 - NBC 16

Green Paris Texas city limit sign with population.

How Paris, Texas Became a ‘Unicorn’ for Rural Transit

A robust coalition of advocates in the town of 25,000 brought together the funding and resources to launch a popular bus service that some residents see as a mobility lifeline—and a social club.

November 30, 2023 - Texas Monthly

SMall backyard cottage ADU in San Diego, California.

San Diegans at Odds Over ‘Granny Towers’

A provision in the city’s ADU ordinance allows developers to build an essentially unlimited number of units on single-family lots.

November 29, 2023 - CALmatters

Mission Bay and Potrero Hill

San Francisco Approves Zoning Reforms to Avoid ‘Builder’s Remedy’

The county board of supervisors voted to approve zoning changes that bring it closer to compliance with state housing mandates.

7 hours ago - Reason

Aerial view of housingin Las Vegas, Nevada with desert mountains in background.

Where Are Millennials Moving to?

As the housing crisis rages on, four U.S. states are seeing high levels of new migration from young and middle-aged workers.

December 7 - Yahoo Finance

Aerial view of houses against partly cloudy sky in San Mateon County, California.

California Cities Cite Historic Preservation to Block Development

Are some cities using historic designations disingenuously?

December 7 - Mercury News

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

"Rethinking Commuter Rail" podcast & Intercity Bus E-News

Chaddick Institute at DePaul University

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.