HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-26-16 Public Comment - H. Burton - Black OliveDear City Commissioners,
My name is Hanly Burton. I'm a family physician and co-owner of Bozeman Creek Family Health at 316
E. Babcock. I also live downtown at 326 S. Black. I am a strong supporter of downtown businesses, local
residents, and intelligent development.
I truly support the concept of higher density residential development in the downtown area, however, I
feel the Black Olive plans are not well thought out. Many people have already expressed concerns
about the parking slots allotted to this development, and I too am very concerned that the inadequate
parking spots will cause residents to search for parking on adjacent residential streets.
Regardless of parking, the Black Olive development will unquestionably increase traffic on the very
narrow Black Avenue without better planning. I propose Black Avenue be turned into a dead end at
Black and Curtis. This would still freely allow bicycle and pedestrian traffic, and people could still drive
to the city planning office and the First Lutheran Church on Black. Most importantly, it would direct
Black Olive residents to wider arterial streets and prevent scores of cars from racing up the nearly one-
lane Black Avenue every morning. Current residents of Black Avenue would be minimally impacted with
a dead end - in fact, if would be welcomed. A dead end at Curtis and Black would make downtown
Bozeman more pedestrian and bicycle friendly.
Thank you,
Hanly Burton, DO
326 S. Black Avenue
Bozeman, MT 59715
406-585-0022