HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-04-17 Public Comment-H. Happel - Strategic Plan GrowthDear City Commissioners—
I am writing with regard to the latest draft of the Bozeman Strategic Plan Vision Statements, in
particular with regard to the first Strategy under “A Well Planned City.”
The Strategy in question currently states, “Informed Conversation on Growth. Continue
developing an in-depth understanding of how Bozeman is growing and changing, and conduct an
informed public conversation on its future growth options.”
This is perhaps the most passive of all the Strategies in the entire Strategic Plan.
At the very least, I think the Strategy ought to say that the City will attempt to manage its
growth to achieve its goals as set forth in the Strategic Plan. The Statement could be as simple as:
Growth: Manage growth to encourage and enhance the community’s quality of life.
It could also be more specific:
Growth: Manage growth efficiently, encouraging increased density while preserving the
character of existing neighborhoods, and encouraging new development in outlying regions that is well
planned and serviced.
This latter statement reflects, I think, current City policy, a policy that has the best chance of
enabling other important City goals: affordable housing, less-costly infrastructure, a vibrant downtown,
and reduced sprawl. I think the City Commission would be well-advised to continue to show leadership
on the growth issue, and I think a statement along these lines does that.
Thanks,
Henry Happel