HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-07-16 Public Comment - S. Gerhardt - Black OliveIn addition to these comments being forwarded to the Planning Department and the commissioners,
please also forward to the Design Review Committee and the Design Review Board.
I have lived on South Black 10 blocks from Main Street for over 40 years and have been a resident of
Bozeman for almost 50 years so have seen many, many changes and developments both in my
community and the city as a whole. When I read first of the proposed Black/Olive apartment building, I
had a positive reaction—until I read how the parking for the building would be handled (completely
inadequately) and of the lack of setbacks for a building of this size bordering on and butting up against
single family homes and larger homes occupied as multi-unit rentals in a historic neighborhood with
narrow yards, narrow alley and narrow city streets. Street parking on South Black in that area is already
pretty full, especially during the winter. Realistically EACH apartment in this building needs one
dedicated OFF STREET parking space and a dedicated storage space. Expecting even walkers and bike
riders to not need a spot for a vehicle is not at this point, nor in the near future, a viable option in
Bozeman. On street parking availability will be more than taken up with second vehicles, motorcycles,
and visitor vehicles related to the apartments. Additionally, this building site cannot be compared with
either of the other current sites developed or being developed by Mr. Halloran on Mendenhall because
this is not a complete block, but about a quarter of a block occupied by a very large building which
looms over and destroys the privacy of the bordering homes in two directions, and this is a
neighborhood where cross streets don’t always exist.
I also have read that Mr. Halloran states he cannot build a smaller building or fewer apartments on the
site and still turn a profit and he is entitled to his opinion, his choice and his profit but perhaps this site is
not the best fit for this project based on what I believe are legitimate unanswered drawbacks to the
proposed plan.
I will not be able to attend the meetings (Nov. 2, Nov. 9) but wish to have my thoughts considered along
with all the many other concerned folks who are commenting. Thank you.
Shirley Gerhardt
1006 S. Black Ave.
Bozeman