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Home My WebLink About04-04-18 Public Comment - B. Ekey - Strategic Plan1 Robin Crough From:Bob Ekey <bobekey6@gmail.com> Sent:Wednesday, April 4, 2018 3:02 PM To:Agenda Subject:comments on strategic plan Categories:Public Comment Comments on the Bozeman Strategic Plan, Bob Ekey 719 South 6th Ave. Bozeman, MT . 59715 406‐581‐9827 Non‐motorized transportation: The strategic plan seems to give continued lip service to non‐motorized transportation and gives me little hope we will see much change, let alone tap the potential for the benefits of bicycles for commuting. The city of Bozeman is way behind other cities I have visited when it comes to facilitating non‐motorized transportation, especially for bicycles. Bozeman is relatively flat, and bicycle commuting should be encouraged. But we need more than a few signs that say an existing street is a "bike route"‐‐ whatever that means. We need bike paths that are separated from motorized traffic (especially since the no cell phone rule while driving cars is apparently difficult to enforce). Drivers are increasingly distracted, and pose increased hazards to both pedestrians and bikes. I recognize it is hard and expensive to separate the traffic, but it will never be easier than it is today, so lets get started by making it a priority in the strategic plan. Don't just accommodate bicycles, make them a priority by giving them equal standing with motorized vehicles with clear, wide lanes. As subdivisions creep outside Bozeman, good planning should require non‐motorized routes that are separate from motorized routes. Some summer evening at 5 p.m. just walk the Gallagator trail and see how many people seek it out for commuting. Imagine a system of Gallagtor trails leading away from the city center like spokes on a wheel ‐‐ then require it as subdivisions grow. The city should also have aggressive signage that show pedestrians have the right of way at crossings and that we respect bicycles. This needs to be an ongoing eduction program ‐‐ aimed at both motorized, but also ensuring the bicyclists are responsible too. Affordable Living: Residents would benefit from a city effort to widen the definition of "affordable housing" to something broader like "affordable living". This broader view would include a suite of issues that allow for more affordable living, such as a household being able to safely commute by bicycle (see above) as a way to save a lot of money. Also, is there a community garden space available nearby or on the property? We've lived on South 6th Ave. for 26 years and have saved money by commuting by foot and bicycle, growing some of our own fruits and vegetables, and taking advantage of free recreation sites like Peet's Hill. 2 Housing is just one aspect of the cost of living, and the city should focus on the broader suite of issues. Moving toward neighborhoods comprised of smaller housing units is smart. Not everyone needs 2,400 square feet. We did benefit from having a basement apartment in our home for income when we needed it and extra space as our family grew. Infill: As stated above we've lived in our neighborhood for 26 years and have watched homes be refurbished and improved. Most of the homes on our block have basement apartments or an attached rental. The neighborhood is full as is, and we appreciate the parking district. I remain very concerned that the city's focus on "infill" could jeopardize the character of our existing neighborhood. If you wonder why, check out the house that's being built in a backyard on the 700 block of South 7th Ave. across our back alley ‐‐ an entire 2,200 square foot house behind an existing 800 square foot house. Not sure how that one got by you, but I'm glad it is not directly behind our home. The neighbors directly next door objected to the building, but it was permitted anyway. They gave up on Bozeman and angrily moved away. The strategic plan is weak on the idea of balancing "infill" with existing character of neighborhoods, and allowing citizens to influence the outcomes in their neighborhoods. Our home was a run‐down rental when we bought it, and restored the home to its original character. We twice successfully worked with the city to ensure our changes were consistent with the historic nature of the property and neighborhood. We have invested in the neighborhood ‐‐ as have our neighbors ‐‐ and we deserve a voice in the future of the neighborhood. I don't see our voice recognized in the strategic plan or in recent practice by the city, which is as disheartening as it is disappointing. I request that you amend the strategic plan and prioritize a set of democratic principles to Bozeman residents have a voice that matters. MSU and Gallatin County The strategic plan calls for improved coordination between other governments and institutions. I encourage stronger language around this issue where the city builds an expectation that other governments ‐‐ both MSU and the county in particular ‐‐ be better citizens and neighbors. By increasing enrollment significantly and not addressing increased housing for students, MSU has exacerbated the affordable housing issue in our city. And the county has ignored based growth responsibilities and approaches. The city should build the case that MSU and the county should share the burden more. This should be a public discussion and as a city resident, I would appreciate holding them accountable. Neighborhood Planning: Someday there will be more of a concerted effort by residents to address climate change, and the city should be anticipating what those needs will be and how neighborhood design can be important. For example, houses should be planned for the opportunity for southern exposure for passive solar heating and for roof designs that will allow for solar panels. This would be addressed by street or house orientation. Sunlight will be a valuable commodity as well, and the city should pass ordinances that protect people's sunlight. We have a lot of southern exposure in our century‐old house and it makes a huge difference for heat on sunny, winter days. We would like to have our sunlight protected so that neighbors don't build and block it. This has been put in place in other locales. Not sure how to handle water consumption, but we might as well start to put things in place now.