HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-13-17 Public Comment - E. Hert - Black Olive IIFrom:Elin Hert
To:Agenda
Subject:Black Olive
Date:Friday, October 13, 2017 2:48:15 PM
Dear Commissioners,
I would like to comment on the Black Olive development proposal. I was able to attend last
week's commission meeting, where I saw presentations of the project by the city and thedeveloper, and listened to testimony from "both sides of the aisle." I appreciate that the
developer has met requirements and made adjustments in response to community feedback.
I have lived in Bozeman for 30 years, and have embraced a lot of development. I'm sure I'vebeen opposed to some, though not much comes to mind. My stomach turns every time I see
beautiful ag land and open space uplifted and turned over for a new subdivision. I am notopposed to development in the downtown area. I support infill. I do not live in the
neighborhood where Black Olive is being built. I do not have a problem with the developer.
All of that said, I do not believe that Black Olive in its current form is an appropriate fit for thecorner of Black and Olive. It is too large and overbearing for the space where it will be - five
stories tall and running right up to the sidewalks. I also believe that the parking in the area willbe an absolute nightmare for B-O residents with more than one vehicle, their guests, and
current residents of the neighborhood.
Thanks for all of your thoughtful, exhausting, and difficult work!
Elin Hert216 S. 10th Ave
Bozeman, MT 59715406-580-3577
P.S. For the record, I live in the area of the upcoming SOBO project. I feel that the SOBO
project (from the rendering I saw) is much more fitting for the place where it will be locatedThere are more appropriate setbacks, it's not as tall, it is not as abrupt, and the project feels
aesthetically pleasing for these reasons.
P.P.S. I do believe that five-story developments would be a great fit for Midtown!
P.P.P.S. I keep thinking that the old KMart location would be a fabulous spot for a housing
development. Create a buffer from N. 7th with trees, bushes, and greenspace, and residentswould be in an excellent position to walk or ride bikes to jobs on N. 7th, N. 19th, Oak,
Cannery District, and downtown.