HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-23-17 Public Comment - M. LouOsman - InfillTo the Commissioners, I recently read a post by a Cooper Park resident who envisions the
newest 4 and 5 story proposed apartments in the historic neighborhoods as dormitories. That
rings true. We all know they will be very temporary housing as residents here generally want to
own a dog. Yes, they will, unless they have a home in Big Sky already or use the apartment as a
vacation rental. I have a friend who lives in Vero Beach, Florida where they have restrictions
of buildings to 3 stories in order to preserve the small town atmosphere. You can do that for
Bozeman too and have a legacy of preservation. We are going to grow and that's fine....there will
be apartment buildings at the edges of town....like the proposed buildings across from the new
Heebs, and those residents can walk to downtown too. But please choose to preserve the
character of the neighborhoods in the core of town. Vote as you would if your home and
backyard were about to have 5 stories with balconies looming above it.
As to the reasoning that young people don't mind the changes, of course some do, but why
should most? Most young people are still finding a lifestyle that suits them and like myself, will
change home towns or states many times. My husband and I thought we'd found our forever
home towns twice before settling in Bozeman. After 17 years here we are not likely to
leave. We love this town and hope it retains its charms while accommodating reasonable
growth. I live a few houses from the Evergreen Apartments think they are an excellent example
for housing density in a neighborhood.
Thank you, Mary Lou Osman