HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-23-18 Public Comment - R. Watson (Bozeman Public Schools) - Response to J. & M. Landon Regarding School Site Exemptions Robert J. Watson, Ed.D.
Bozeman Public Schools Superintendent
404 West Main,P.O.Box 520 Phone: (406)522-6001
Bozeman,MT 59771 0520 Fax: (406)522-6065
www.bsd7.org robert.watson@bsd7.org
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April 23, 2018
LB 2 7 2010, J
John and Marcme Landon _ .—AIL"'.,
1087 Cottonwood Road DEPAI-3TfAI::ti T
Bozeman, MT 59718 COMMUNITY DEVE!
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Landon,
Thank you for copying me on your letter to the City of Bozeman. I received my copy on Thursday, April
19, 2018. 1 am writing today to address some of the concerns in your letter. Please see the attached
document, which I prepared for our website. I hope that it addresses at least some of your concerns.
I would be happy to meet with you at any time to explain our plan and answer any additional questions. If
you would like to find a time to meet with me, please contact my assistant,Nancy Brady at 522-6001.
Thanks again for your comments and letter.
lb l�
Rob Watson
Superintendent
cc. Courtney Johnson, City of Bozeman
Bozeman School District, High School #2
City of Bozeman, Agency Exemption Hearing, May 7, 2018
Background:
In design of the High School #2 (HS2) property, located at 4455 Annie Street, the Bozeman
School District has notified the City of Bozeman of anticipated zoning and parking exemptions.
As per Montana law (MCA 76-2-402) the HS2 design and site plan have some elements that are
contrary to local zoning regulations.
MCA 76-2-402
Local zoning regulations -- application to agencies. Whenever an agency proposes to use public
land contrary to local zoning regulations, a public hearing, as defined below, shall be held.
(1) The local board of adjustments, as provided in this chapter, shall hold a hearing within 30
days of the date the agency gives notice to the board of its intent to develop land contrary to
local zoning regulations.
(2) The board shall have no power to deny the proposed use but shall act only to allow a
public forum for comment on the proposed use.
BSD7 Board of Trustees:
At the February 12 public meeting, the BSD7 Board of Trustees received an update regarding
the design of the HS2 Property. In addition, the Board discussed the zone exemptions that
would be forwarded to the City of Bozeman. The BSD7 Administration recommended that the
Board of Trustees approve the HS2 design update and the indicated zoning and parking
exemptions. After discussion and public comment, the Board voted to approve HS2 design
update as well as the list of zoning exemptions.
Here is a web link to our Board of Trustees Agendas:
httl2://www.bsd7.org/our district/board of trustees/board meeting agendas/
Site Plan &Agency Exemptions:
Below is a preliminary landscape design drawing and a list of exemptions presented to the
Board on February 12, as well as District rationale for the exemption:
Flanders Mill Road is on the top of the diagram and Cottonwood Road is on the bottom. Annie
street runs through the middle of the property. The proposed high school sits at the left and
Meadowlark School property to the right.
Bozeman School District, High School #2
City of Bozeman, Agency Exemption Hearing, May 7, 2018
safety for the students within the parking lots. The District follows best practices to
enhance student safety and security when designing our parking lots. This practice has
been endorsed by the Bozeman Police Department. In addition, this type of design is
considered best practice by national research regarding school safety.
Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) is defined as a
multi-disciplinary approach to deterring criminal behavior through environmental design.
CPTED strategies rely upon the ability to influence offender decisions that precede
criminal acts by affecting the built, social and administrative environment.
CPTED tries to decrease the conditions perceived as unsafe and increase the conditions
perceived as safe. The CPTED school program uses six basic strategies— natural
surveillance, access management, territoriality, physical maintenance, order
maintenance and activity support.
Natural surveillance
This is design and placement of physical features in such a way as to maximize
visibility. These features include windows, walkways, assembly areas, corridors,
stairways, doors and lighting. The objective is to provide an environment in which
you can see and be seen, to eliminate hiding or hard-to-see places, and thereby
increase the perception of a human presence. For instance, in choosing
landscaping material, schools should make sure that the material provides
benefit without blocking views.
Parking Lot Screening
Sec. 38.26.050.C.2.a.(1) of the COB/UDC requires parking lot screening when adjacent to
residential areas with 4'-6' high fence or shrub.
Rationale: The parking lots at the new High School will be more than 50' from the public
way and screened with 3' high berms and tree groupings. The height of the berms on the
site are restricted to 3' due to security concerns. As stated in the previous rationale,
maintaining lines of site are a recommended practice from national experts who have
studied school safety. The CPTED, Natural Surveillance strategy encourages placement
of physical features in such a way as to maximize visibility.
Trees provided in public right-of-way
Sec. 38.26.050.E.3 of the COB/UDC requires street trees be provided in the public right-of-way.
Rationale: The proposed trees have been placed outside of the public right-of-way to
allow the tree roots to grow without damaging to the asphalt paths. In total, the
landscape plan calls for more than 200 trees. The landscape plan calls for those trees to
be located where it makes the most sense for the functionality of the school, while
enhancing the views of adjacent property owners. In addition, trees placed in the public
Bozeman School District, High School #2
City of Bozeman, Agency Exemption Hearing, May 7, 2018
Rationale: The following points are anticipated to be earned: a. The installation of
drought tolerant species for 75% or greater of the number of trees and shrubs. b.
Provide of one percent increments of lot area covered by publicly accessible pedestrian
facilities and features such as plazas, courtyards, seating areas and outdoor recreation
facilities.
As per MCA 76-2-402, the District and its design consultants from CTA will participate in the City
of Bozeman, Agency Exemption Hearing to be held on May 7, 2018 at the City Commission
Meeting.
If you have questions or comments on this proposed list of exemptions and rationale,
please don't hesitate to contact:
Rob Watson
Superintendent
Bozeman Public Schools
406-522-6001
The City invites the public to comment in writing. Written comments may be directed to ATTN:
City of Bozeman, Department of Community Development, PO Box 1230, Bozeman, MT
59771-1230