HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-17-18 Public Comment - J. Moeckel - Black Olive IIFrom:Bill + Juliet Moeckel
To:Agenda
Subject:opposition to BlackOlive
Date:Wednesday, October 18, 2017 4:19:40 PM
I read that Bozeman's leadership has chosen to join AARP's list of age- friendly communities
and that this does not mean that we are age- friendly but that the goal is to become that way.As a retired senior I applaud this effort.
As a retired nurse and caregiver, I am very aware of the difficulty many seniors face just
getting to and from their cars -especially in the winter with our notoriously icy sidewalks,parking lots and streets. It is even more difficult if they have to park away from their houses,
especially when loading and unloading. If they don't drive, they are often taken toappointments, shopping and social activities by their family or helpers, who must find a
parking place.
I often assisted a senior neighbor with the above, and her house did not have an on streetdriveway. Some of the time I was lucky to be able to park directly in front of her house, but
not always. Out of curiosity, I took a walk around our block today (Lindley Place andBozeman Ave.) and counted 16 houses without on street driveways. Some have access to
parking in an alley-some do not. I did this twice because it surprised me that there are somany. Alleys are not always plowed in a timely manner and often the walk to the house is
longer or not shoveled.
It is idealistic thinking that millennials are choosing to not have cars, because the ones that weknow do and it is the norm that couples have two (and sometimes more for various reasons).
We are fortunate that our neighbors are considerate about where they park.
I do not think that it will be the same with the proposed BlackOlive given the inadequateparking as it stands now. To think that many will not have cars is not reality based. They may
walk downtown, but they will most likely drive to work if it is across town and most certainlydrive to recreational activities in the surrounding areas. How many couples will live there ,
each with a vehicle? Given the affordable housing shortage for students, will a few share anapartment? Will they want to pay for a parking space? It is very likely that their cars will be
parked in the existing neighborhood, blocking easy access to the current resident's homes.
Please consider the negative impact that the BlackOlive will have on parking and driving inthe surrounding neighborhood. Please help to make Bozeman a place where seniors can stay in
their own homes as long as possible.
Thank you.
Juliet Moeckel