HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-19-17 Public Comment - K. Hubley - Development Around Failing IntersectionsFrom: Kevin Hubley [mailto:kevin@hpwcpas.com]
Sent: Monday, June 19, 2017 4:06 PM
To: chris@headwaterseconomics.org
Cc: bfontenot@bozeman.net; Clint Phillips <clint@hpwcpas.com>; Mike Williams
<mike@hpwcpas.com>; Tom Starner (ts@genecookrealestate.com) <ts@genecookrealestate.com>
Subject: City building moratorium with half mile of intersections deemed to be failing....
Dear Commissioner Mehl,
Tom Starner provided me with your email so that I could express my concern with the city’s blanket
policy on not issuing building permits within one‐half mile of an intersection that is given a grade of D or
lower. I believe this is wrong, especially on an infill project within the city that will have little or no
impact on the intersection in question.
To give you some background. In late 2016, my partners and I identified a property located in the
Stoneridge subdivision, across the street from Clark Fork Bakery. As part of our due diligence we had a
preliminary meeting with the city planning department in February to discuss the lot and a general
concept of what we wanted to do. We received feedback on some building ideas, but not once were we
ever alerted to the fact of the failing intersection at Oak and 27th. This news was sprung upon us at the
time we submitted our final design to the planning department so that we could continue towards
completion of the design and ultimately a building permit. Based on our architect and engineer, we
were on track to be breaking ground in July or August 2017. Because of this intersection issue, we do
not know when we might get to start this new building.
Had we known that this intersection was an issue, we would have looked at other options as we need
this new space for our business. We are out of room in our current location and are also now faced with
trying to renew our lease. Ultimately, the city’s blanket policy and lack of communication in our initial
meetings is costing us money with each passing day we cannot build this building.
What is most disturbing to me is that we are proposing to build a building that will provide fifteen
people with a job located in a business development that has been in place for over ten years. Because
of inadequate infrastructure planning by the city on developments to the west of our lot, we are now
held hostage until one of several options take place.
1. We pay for the intersection improvement, or 2. Someone else pays for the intersection improvement,
or 3. The city puts the intersection improvement back on the three year plan.
I am sorry, but I cannot afford to pay for this improvement. I also cannot wait for another party to step
in and pay of the improvement. Lastly, I cannot wait for the city to put the Oak and 27th intersection
back on the three year plan for improvement by the city. Bottom‐line, my partners and I now own a lot
that is virtually worthless, plus I have expended large sums of money for architects and engineers only
to be blindsided by the city planning department. The old say, “time is money” could not be more fitting
our situation. This policy is causing me to lose money from business that I have to turn away because I
do not have adequate space. It is also costing me money in additional fees I am paying architects and
engineers to help find a solution. Finally, it is costing me money each day as construction and financing
costs continue to rise as well.
I would request an immediate review by engineering, planning and the city commission, of the half mile
policy. I understand enforcing this policy for new developments that will result in a new commercial or
residential development, but for a project like our that is a building on one of the last three lots in a
development that has been around for many years is absolutely ridiculous. A review of the impact of a
project needs to be part of the decision, not just distance from an intersection.
If we could turn back the clock and were provided the information on the half mile of a failing
intersection issue, we would have looked for a different lot. I grew up in this town and have been lucky
enough to stay and make a career for myself. I am however extremely upset at this time and we are
contemplating moving our business out of town to get away from issues like this. Maybe the city could
purchase our lot for $500,000 and we can both go our separate ways. The city could have another small
park and we can go build the office building that we desperately need outside of the city limits.
Thank you for your time and I would appreciate your response to my email via an email response. I
would also like to schedule a time to meet with you and possibly the entire commission to discuss this
matter.
Sincerely,
Kevin M. Hubley, CPA, MAFF
kevin@hpwcpas.com<mailto:kevin@hpwcpas.com>
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