HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-07-17 Public Comment - M. Kaveney - Black Olive IIFirst Name Marcia
Last Name Kaveney
Email Address marciakaveney@gmail.com
Phone Number 406-223-1983
Comments
Dear Mayor Taylor and City Commissioners:
First of all, and as always, thank you for your time and efforts.
I am unable to make it to the 6 pm meeting tonight, but understand you will be discussing the Black/Olive proposal
again and eventually STR's and affordable housing.
I would like to briefly share my thoughts:
I am not opposed to downtown growth. I know it's a natural progression. My main concerns with the Black/Olive
proposal are the height and parking. There is "talk" on the neighborhood website lately that the current zoning
was meant as a temporary measure. If there is truth in that, I would like to see you do all you can to use the
previous zoning to establish a better transition between the new construction and the existing homes or buildings.
I think not more than a two story difference would be much more in keeping with human scale. One generally sees
this in cities: High-rises to mid-rise to low-rise to single family homes. I'd like to see that done here in Bozeman.
Secondly, please do not allow any special allowances for parking. Without adequate public transportation to
hiking, skiing, even grocery shopping, we cannot expect that people will live in Bozeman without cars.
When you discuss STRs next, I am in favor of an owner on premises or owner occupied sort of arrangement. I
believe that is what is done in NYC to help keep apartments from all turning into STRs because they are so much
more lucrative than long term rentals. I also think it helps preserve a friendlier neighborhood character by
encouraging long term residents.
Lastly, I have not heard of or seen improvement in the ADU legislation recently. I still believe that one of the
easiest ways to add affordable housing and help keep neighborhoods vibrant is to encourage ADUs whether they
are for short or longterm rentals. This is a great option for people who want the extra income and for folks who
want to live downtown. But keep an off-street parking requirement of at least one space per dwelling unit or
bedroom. That way the street parking doesn't carry all the burden of the extra cars. I would also like to see the city
require that ADUs be allowed in all subdivisions to help keep affordable housing opportunities in the outlying
subdivisions.
Thank you!!
Marcia Kaveney
1496 Boylan Rd.