Vibrant & Resilient Neighborhoods
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Develop Sustainable Neighborhoods Outreach (3.G.3)
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While the City can establish regulations and policies, local residents have important roles to play in shaping neighborhood vibrancy and advancing resiliency. The City will partner with developers, neighborhood groups, and community members to empower sustainable practices at the scale of the neighborhood, street, condo complex, or apartment building.
- The City Neighborhoods program engaged with the InterNeighborhood Council, Neighborhood Associations, and Homeowner's Associations to increase awareness of ways individuals, neighborhoods, and businesses can advance sustainability including participation in Clean Up Week and Water Conservation programs.
- The Sustainability Division developed an outreach campaign on strategies homeowners can take throughout the year to prepare their homes for wildfire smoke and heat events. The outreach focused on installing air source heat pumps, air purifiers, tightening the building envelope, and creating “clean” rooms. This included a public outreach event in partnership with Montana Health Professionals for a Healthy Climate on the health impacts of wildfire smoke and home improvements for improving energy efficiency and indoor air quality.
- The Water Conservation Division launched a Beautify Your Boulevard contest to encourage residents to remove high-water use turfgrass, install drought-tolerant landscaping, and inspire neighbors to do the same.
- The City developed model Homeowners' Association (HOA) covenants that encourage water conservation, neighborhood and community connectivity, accessory dwelling units, childcare, drought-tolerant landscaping, composting, local food, recycling, energy efficiency, solar installations, and sustainable building practices. The City Commission adopted Resolution 5555 to adopt the Model HOA Covenants.
- The Water Conservation Division hosted a Garden Party in the spring of 2024 to educate residents about water efficient landscaping – this included a drought tolerant plant giveaway, free compost, educational resources, and other tips and tricks to reduce outdoor water use without sacrificing the beauty of local landscape.
