HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-14-16 Public Comment - G. Stephens - Black OliveFrom: Geoffrey Stephens <stephens.geoff@gmail.com>
Date: November 11, 2016 at 6:32:51 AM MST
To: Peter Costanti <pete@mfgrdesigns.com>, Carson & Dede Taylor <carsongtaylor@gmail.com>,
mehlchris@hotmail.com, cindy.andrus@gmail.com
Subject: Black Olive
Dear Pete,
I was very pleased to see you on the Design Review Board since I know from working with you that you
are a thoughtful, creative person with both an excellent sense of design and a real commitment to the
community. Thanks for your service.
All of us appreciated the respectful way that the board dealt with community concerns over the Black
Olive. The key issue - which the board rightly focused on - is how the massive size of the building and its
monolithic design violate the intention of rules designed to ensure that buildings in the B3 - historic
neighborhood interface fit appropriately with adjacent residential neighborhoods. If the size of these
buildings doesn't "step down" to the residential area (regardless of the somewhat narrow rule) then
that concept is meaningless. If BlackOlive doesn't lose a floor, have step backs, set backs and
landscaping, then the concept of fitting in "appropriately" with the historic residential neighborhood is
also meaningless.
It is not overly dramatic to say that Black Olive is a watershed moment. We have an opportunity here to
codify the guidelines and set a precedent for how to preserve the character of our neighborhoods while
downtown grows.
I'm heartened by the seriousness with which the board and the city commission is taking this challenge.
Thank you,
Geoff
Geoff Stephens
205 S.Church Ave
Bozeman, MT 59715
917-301-9496