HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-15-16 Public Comment - R. Peters - Black OliveNovember 14, 2016
To: Bozeman City Commission, City Management and Staff, Design Review Board,
Historical Preservation Board
RE: Black Olive Proposed Development
Last week’s Design Review Board’s unanimous decision to reject the proposal from
Andy Halloran for the Black and Olive development provided professional viewpoints
supporting what concerned citizens and neighbors have been saying. The proposed
apartment building is greatly oversized in height and footprint with cheap architectural
design. The design is not sensitive or compatible to surrounding structures nor is it
appropriate for the historical neighborhood 3 blocks from Main Street.
Such disregard for design compatibility and appropriateness can be seen in the aerial
perspectives of the proposed building (Click Here to View Aerial Views Online) which
were not presented at the DRB meeting and only recently discovered online. These
perspectives clearly show the negative invasive impact of a giant ugly box of a building
inserted directly next to historical homes of south Bozeman.
A large part of Bozeman’s charm and attractiveness to residents and visitors is its
historic character. The National Register eligibility provided the neighborhood
surrounding Black and Olive with historic integrity that will be compromised by the
proposed massive 5 story development design without regard for neighborhood
character.
There appears to be conflicts within the City’s UDC that allow developers to take
advantage of zoning classifications to aggressively pursue business interests and return
on investment. Adjacent and neighboring properties are bound by NCOD and other
design guidelines clearly spelled out elsewhere in the UDC. All development should be
held to guidelines that reflect sensitivity, compatibility and appropriateness to
Bozeman’s existing architectural fabric whether downtown or in the transition zone to
the historic neighborhoods.
The transition zone between downtown and the neighborhoods must be well planned
with plenty of input from citizens and stakeholders. Do we really want a wall of high rise
buildings in the halo transition zone separating the historic neighborhoods from
downtown? I do not think so. The proposed Black Olive will be a Black Eye on the face
of Bozeman. A growing number of citizens are also opposed to this proposed
development as they become more aware of the issues. The period for public
comment regarding this project should be extended.
Smart growth can be accomplished with appropriate development and design that most
citizens can support. However the currently proposed project at Black and Olive does
not pass the test.
Thank you for your consideration. Please vote against the proposed development.
Sincerely,
Randy Peters
Co-owner; 210 South Black Ave