HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-12-16 Public Comment - C. Petaja - Black OliveSeptember 12, 2016
Bozeman City Commission
Re: Proposed high-rise apartment building at Olive and Black streets.
Dear Mayor and Commissioners:
I write this letter in consideration of the proposed apartment/condo complex at Olive and Black streets
where Big Sky Youth Empowerment is currently housed. As a resident of that neighborhood, I have
serious concerns the implications such a building would have. My concerns are mainly of a practical
matter. I fully understand the resistance to change inherent in all, especially native Montanan’s like
myself. Upon returning to Montana after law school in San Francisco, by chance I have happened to live
the entire last 8 years in the same neighborhood. I first rented on E. Koch, off Bozeman Ave. Once my
wife became pregnant, we moved approximately 100 yards to a rental on Bozeman Ave. Subsequently,
we purchased our current home at 210 E. Olive Street. While living on Bozeman Avenue, traffic was a
constant concern. The introduction of the Farmer’s Market at Bogert Park only made the problem
worse.
Since living on Olive Street, traffic is a huge concern. Olive Street is a reverse one-way. No one can deny
that. It is that simple. Traffic needing to head west uses Olive Street as Babcock Street is one-way east.
A simple traffic study will show substantial traffic in the morning hours and evenings hours heading west
on Olive Street. I often park on Olive Street in the front of my house. It is almost a daily occurrence that
I have to shield my child getting in on the driver’s side rear passenger door from on-coming traffic in
both directions. I have taken to encouraging them to both enter on the passenger side facing the house.
People drive aggressive with the typical “dodge in and out mode” of Bozeman’s narrow streets.
An appropriate traffic study should be undertaken before any decision on this project. Further, I would
hope some balance could be brought to project. One, I would encourage the Commission to approve a
building consistent with the historic apartments across Olive Street in height and in design. The
developer’s desire to maximize profits should not give way to common sense. A building the same
height as its counterpart across the street and built reflecting the historic neighborhood is not
unreasonable. Second, I would ask that with any structure allowed accommodations be made to Big Sky
Youth Empowerment to allow that organization to continue to do the meaningful work they do. Third, I
would ask the Commission to seriously consider the implications such a building will have on traffic on
an already taxed street. Olive Street is a reverse one-way. It is that simple. No one can deny that.
Thank you for your considerations.
Sincerely,
Christopher C. Petaja, Esq.
210 E. Olive Street