HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-13-17 Public Comment - Midtown Urban Renewal Board - UDC UpdateOctober 10, 2017
City of Bozeman Commission
P O Box 1231
Bozeman MT 59771-1231
RE: UDC rewrite concerns
Dear Mayor Taylor and Commissioners:
Thank you for your efforts on updating the Unified Development Code
(UDC). We recognize the magnitude of the undertaking and many of the
UDC’s complexities in this challenging task. The Midtown Urban Renewal
Board was a primary financial contributor to the effort as we saw it to be a
tool in helping us to incentivize redevelopment in the district. Specifically,
we asked for a Code that is:
Accessible and easy to navigate and use,
Utilizes the concepts of Form-Based design, and
Reduces hurdles for infill projects.
Unfortunately, we feel the proposed UDC does not effectively address our
initial requests. We have to be concerned about the bottom line to
incentive redevelopment in Midtown. We think the proposed code will
make doing business in Bozeman more expensive, thus encouraging
sprawl instead of infill. Simply put: expensive projects demand expensive
rent.
Affordability and density, along with diversity of business types and
opportunities, are necessities for a thriving community. We ask that our
ideas and goals for Midtown be considered and prioritized as the
document is being reviewed:
Ease of use - Consolidation of multiple regulations into a single,
easy-to-use reference. Clearly stated objectives and expectations
as well as efforts to streamline the review process will make
Midtown (and other infill areas) more attractive to development;
Form-based code - Diagrams, including those for block frontage,
setbacks, and building height and massing, are effective.
Illustrations and photos capture intent;
Balance of quality and costs (materials, design, etc) – 1) Wide
range of project types, styles, sizes; 2) Wide range of property
owners; 3) Wide range of existing buildings (mom and pop to big
box) and uses (service, retail, industrial); and
Economics of Development – parking requirements; floor area
ratios; allow for diverse project budget and redevelopment
economics.
We appreciate the creation of the B2M and R5 zone districts to recognize
this unique area of town and its potential for increased density near many
of our community amenities. Thank you for continuing to assist with
alleviating blight.
Respectfully,
Midtown Urban Renewal Board
cc: Tom Rogers, City staff