HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-04-17 Public Comment - B. and J. Moeckel - Black Olive IIFrom:Bill + Juliet Moeckel
To:Agenda
Subject:Black Olive -strongly opposed
Date:Friday, August 04, 2017 12:51:38 AM
We have previously submitted a letter opposing the Black Olive building as it stands now,
listing our reasons which echo most of our neighbors.We appreciate the commission's rejection of this project so far, but have an uneasy feeling that
it could go the other way.
We wanted to add an emotional appeal and tell you what it's like for us to live in thisneighborhood. We have lived here for about 33 years. We bought an old, cheap house and
spent years of hard work and money fixing it up, as have a lot of our neighbors. Most of theneighbors know and enjoy each other and it has a been a wonderful place to raise our kids. But
living close to town also has it's problems, especially as the town grows.We were surprised tofind out that several of our neighbors have had disoriented bar patrons try to get into their
homes over the years, Parking, traffic and noise can be an issue when there are downtown orpark events. Our property values keep going up so our taxes do too.
And now, as we walk by the corner of Black and Olive, a block and a half from us, we look up
and try to imagine a massive, boxy five story building there, casting shade on the neighbors,blocking their view of the sky, multiple people looking down into their yards and windows,
multiple cars taking away available parking in front of their (and our) homes and more carscircling the blocks looking for parking and we just feel ...well...sad...and invaded.
It's not just the downtown businesses that should matter. The people living in the surrounding
neighborhoods have supported them for years and should have a say about what kind ofdevelopment happens WHERE WE LIVE. The arguments that we need this kind of massive
infill to keep downtown "vibrant" and to prevent sprawl don't make sense. Bozeman isgrowing so rapidly that we really don't see a lack of customers for downtown as an issue. If
people want to live in the country, and it is for sale, they will.
In conclusion, please try to imagine that you and your family live next to, or two, three, fourhouses down from a project like this and if this is what you would want.
What's the rush to build Bozeman into a crowded, noisy city with more traffic and parkingproblems?
Please don't let big money buy and take over Bozeman. We welcome new residents but let's
find a way to fit them in that doesn't ruin it for others.
Thank you.
Bill and Julie Moeckel