HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-07-17 Public Comment - K. and B. Rydell - Black Olive IIFrom:Chris Mehl
To:Agenda
Subject:Fwd: Black and Olive development
Date:Monday, August 07, 2017 10:56:57 AM
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
From: kiki rydell <kiki.leigh.rydell@gmail.com>
Date: August 7, 2017 at 10:44:49 AM MDTTo: <ctaylor@bozeman.net>, <candrus@bozeman.net>, <cmehl@bozeman.net>,
<ipomeroy@bozeman.net>, <jkrauss@bozeman.net>Cc: Robert Rydell <rwrydell@gmail.com>
Subject: Fwd: Black and Olive development
7 August 2017Dear City Commissioners,
Four months ago, my husband sent this message (see below) to you asking you toplease vote against the Black/Olive development. Most of you agreed with us that
the project does not fit with the character of the neighborhood, a neighborhoodover which it would tower. We are hoping you still agree with us that the
development is inappropriate for the halo of the city's tiny and crowdeddowntown. It is a project much better suited for the North Seventh Avenue area.
While the developer has made a few tiny adjustments to his proposal, the projectstill does not work: it is TOO HIGH and too big; it would also wreak havoc with
traffic and parking for the residential neighborhood. There is not enough of asetback for the project. It would rise suddenly from the sidewalk and tower over
the neighborhood. It would totally change the character of the area, addingcongestion, busyness, and noise to a place where people live quiet lives in modest
houses. Consider how busy the downtown has become as the city has grown. Can the downtown really handle much more congestion and traffic before it
totally loses its character and pleasantness? Please ask the developer to considerplacement of such a large building (with such a large footprint and impact) along
North Seventh Ave.I have included Bob's message below because it merits rereading. Please take the
time to reread it and please vote "No" on the Black/Olive proposal.Sincerely,
Kiki and Bob Rydell,622 South Grand Ave.
Bozeman
2 April 2017
To: Bozeman City Commission
Fm: Bob and Kiki Rydell, 622 South Grand Ave, Bozeman
RE: Black and Olive Development
We are writing to oppose the development at Black and Olive. After reading EricDietrich’s piece in this morning’s newspaper, it is even more clear that this
proposed development is not in keeping with the character of the residentialneighborhood in which it would be located. “Character,” of course, is a loaded
word that needs to be unpacked. The word is close to the word “spirit” asMontesquieu uses it in his Spirit of the Laws. The developer is arguing that he has
adhered to the letter of the law with his proposal; the neighbors are arguing thatthey have the “spirit” of the law on their side. In this case, we agree with the
neighbors. This proposed development, in its scale, casts shadows on adjacentresidences and on the neighborhood as a whole. It will add to the noise and
congestion of the neighborhood; it erodes the skyscape. Moreover, it violates thetrust between the neighbors (most of whom bought their properties before this
development was ever an idea) and the City that a development on this scalecould never win the support the Commission. Does “character” matter? The
Greek philosopher Heraclitus thought so when he said: “character is destiny.” Weagree. This proposed development would fundamentally alter the character of this
neighborhood and likely set precedent for similar proposals in the future.