HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-14-17 Public Comment - E. Darrow - UDC Update Subchapter 4B TO: Bozeman City Commission
WHEN: Monday August 14, 2017
WHAT: Public Comment: 4B Subchapter of NCOD
WHO: Elizabeth Darrow
I thank the City Commission for its decision to review the legislative process of
Subchapter 4B of the NCOD-- we all recognize that we must prepare for growth-- not as
a tidal wave washing over us-- but as a force to direct and administer for the future
benefit of all.
local government serves as a school of democracy. In America today we need this
function more than ever--with engaged citizens taking responsibility and creating
solutions. Bozeman should be proud of the level of engagement occurring tonite.
I offer my comments about the harm I believe will come from the 413 zoning changes as
they stand now to the Cooper Park Historic District where I live.
—where I live—does not just exist on some zoning map—but it is a real neighborhood
with a lovely park, tree-lined streets, gracious and modest homes, old and new in scale
and in proportion, front porches, families, single people, students, seniors, children—but
it is more than a place—it is also a state of mind.
Our task here should be about how to create more neighborhoods like this and not
destroy the character and livability of those that exist already.
In the 4B as currently intended — out of scale buildings, multi unit one bedroom
apartments that serve as defacto dorms for temporary inhabitants, removal of trees and
greenspace, disregard for neighborhood character and architectural form in transition
zones —all these results feed the intractable traffic and parking problems already
present.
These proposed changes destroy the fabric of community, the beauty of our
neighborhood and security in the future that where we live will be altered beyond
recognition—a place where we become strangers on our own streets. This is what we
anticipate from buildings like 'Black/Olive" or SoBo Lofts on every property now zoned
4B.
My husband Jim Walseth and I strongly support a review of the legislative process of
Subchapter 4B in the NCOD with the city's commitment to all stakeholders given
sufficient time (more than 15 days)—for collaboration on revising affirming NCOD
enforceable guidelines to guide growth.
encourage the Commission to provide an effective forum for all of us to work together
on this urgent issue.
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