HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-12-17 Public Comment - P. Jacobs - NCOD, B-3 Commercial Design Guidelines
PO Box 4836
Bozeman, Montana 59772
www.ARCHtrio.com
317 - 917 – 9042
A Women Business Enterprise
September 12, 2017
PUBLIC COMMENT
RE: Re-affirming and re-adopting the 2015 B-3 Commercial Design Guidelines as part of the NCOD
Dear Members of the Bozeman Historic Preservation Advisory Board (BHPAB):
I am pleased to hear this board’s position is being sought by the City Commission and Staff regarding
the reaffirmation of the B-3 Guidelines adopted as an amendment to the NCOD Guidelines back in
2015. The input of this board is very important to this critical decision.
I ask you to please consider the following:
The added language to address concerns regarding the B-3 zoned area wrapping the Main Street
National Register Historic District was a very limited process with little public input or thorough
understanding of the potential ramifications to the surrounding historic buildings and remaining
historic context.
Changes within this highly significant area are very important and have the potential to have
significant impact on various historic districts and individual resources.
Public participation in a process should be encouraged by including the DRB, BHPAB,
leadership from various impacted historic districts, and others, in the development of
appropriate, well considered and vetted guidelines.
As a co-writer of the NCOD analysis prepared a couple of years ago, I would encourage the
BHPAB to revisit the recommendations provided in that document and propose a game plan and
timeline for implementing the best and most appropriate ideas. The Design Guidelines are
included.
Parking issues as a result of the recent B-3 Guidelines can be fixed - parking garages built, and
new public transportation implemented. The hardest, most detrimental, and most challenging
impact of the re-affirmed B-3 Guidelines will be the impact on the overall historic context of the
downtown.
B-3 Comment
September 12, 2017
Page 2
This is by no means a suggestion that development is bad. I am all for appropriate development as long
as it doesn’t have a negative impact on individually significant historic buildings or neighborhoods (and
this doesn’t necessarily limit the definition to buildings or districts that are already listed on the National
Register of Historic Places, we need to also consider those resources which are potentially eligible). I
have the seen the results of hasty demolition. I have seen the negative impact of inappropriate design.
Once the historic fabric and the cultural context is lost, it is gone forever.
Bozeman is a perfect example for understanding the architectural progression of styles and history. The
architecture embodied in the designs of Fred Willson demonstrate that a variety of styles and buildings
scales can co-exist successfully. His use of materials and details and scale and massing reflect a
sensitivity to the context in which he designed and built. His work and the work of others creates a rich
melding called character.
We must capture that essence in our design guidelines so that we may continue to responsibly address
our local historic assets, encourage innovative, compatible new design and continue the tradition of a
rich community character. This is hard work and requires everyone’s best thinking in a collaborative
approach.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Patricia L. Jacobs
Principal/Architect
ARCHitecture trio, Inc.
CC: Design Review Board
City Commissioners
Martin Matsen, Director of Community Developement