HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-04-16 Public Comment - K. Maines - Golden Gate February 3, 2016
City Clerk's Office
Suite 201, City Hall
P.O. Box 1230
121 N. Rouse Avenue
Bozeman, MT 59771
RE: LOYAL GARDEN SUBDIVISION
Dear Commissioners:
My hope in writing this letter today is for the residents of Loyal Garden to be heard. We have a lot at
stake.We are up against a developer in the business of making money, as well as city codes and
compliance.
We are hoping that you will listen to our concerns as it appears that the developer has done all he is
willing to do.
We understand the need for high density, affordable housing and the fact that the 3.7 acres in Loyal
Garden is zoned R-4. However, R-4 can take on many different looks. It can look like the sea of rentals
behind Costco or it can blend in virtually unnoticed. It can be as low as 8 units per acre or as high as 33.
The decision regarding the number of units per acre should be about the project blending into the
neighborhood and nothing else. Profit at the expense of ruining the look of the neighborhood and
diminishing property values can be a sad reality.
I will start by saying that the developer has been gracious enough to listen to our concerns and has been
willing to change the design of the buildings facing Golden Gate so that they are more similar to the
single family homes that face them.The original plan was for 96 units and then was further reduced to
84 at, I believe,the request of the City Planning Department. He has now agreed to lower the number of
units to 70.That is as low as he's willing to go.
So now let's look at the Loyal Garden subdivision and how 70 units would impact the neighborhood.
Loyal Garden is a small subdivision surrounded by Cottonwood to the East, Huffine to the North, a large
farm to the West, and an irrigation canal to the South. Unlike most of the subdivisions in Bozeman, it is
completely boxed in. In most neighborhoods, if you walk out your door you can travel the endless miles
of connecting streets if you want. In Loyal Garden you don't have that luxury.You are restricted to only
7 streets that make up Loyal Garden (Loyal,Advance and Golden Gate surround the neighborhood,
while Alpha,Triumph, Victory&Vine are internal streets).There are 120-130 single-family homes
currently in Loyal Garden.Adding 70 units, at 2 bedrooms per unit,you are looking at a minimum of 140
people and as many as 280 more people converging on the neighborhood and onto our sidewalks,
streets,trails, etc.That is a lot of people in one area. Remember, we are boxed in.
The creation of 70, 2-bedroom units would create a parking and traffic nightmare for those living on
Golden Gate and Advance.There are now two proposed openings in and out of the project from Golden
Gate Avenue.This section of Golden Gate is very short and this much traffic would create havoc for
those of us who currently enjoy a quiet, peaceful existence.The developer is creating 10 additional
visitor parking spaces but, in my opinion,this is inadequate.The need for additional parking for those
living or visiting the project's occupants would mean parking congestion on Golden Gate and possibly
Advance. For those living on Advance, people returning to their automobiles would, in all likelihood, be
cutting through their backyards.
Most residents acknowledge knowing about the R-4 zoning.The issue with a lot of the residents is that
we were told by the original developer, or realtors,that the 3.7 acres would be high-end townhomes
with no more than 32 units. Imagine everyone's surprise when people found out about the proposed
project.
The South side of Golden Gate was originally zoned R-3. I believe the original plans called for
townhomes.This would have created a buffer between the 3.7 acre, R-4, high-density lot, and the
single-family homes.The plat was changed and the lots on Golden Gate were subdivided.The South side
of Golden Gate is now all single-family homes.The buffer was taken away and now nothing lies between
the single-family homes and the condominiums.The proposed project does not fit with the character of
the neighborhood.
There is a sufficient amount of land remaining in Bozeman that can fulfill the need for high-density,
affordable housing projects.The focus shouldn't be to fill every R-4 lot, regardless of where it sits, with
high-density units with no consideration as to how it blends with the surrounding neighborhood.
Bozeman is a beautiful town. Careful planning should be taken to keep it that way.
I invite every Commissioner to visit our neighborhood and try to envision the project as proposed. Loyal
Garden is our home. It's where we spend a lot of our time. We care what happens to it, and we feel that
any proposed project needs to be done tastefully to keep with the current look of the subdivision.What
is being proposed is out of character with our neighborhood. Please, come see for yourself.
Thank you for taking the time to hear our concerns.
Sincerely,
KIMBERLY M ES
4810 Golden at Avenue