HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-19-18 Public Comment - R. Silve - Sidewalk Installation Upon Annexation •
July 19, 2018 — $S
Bozeman City Commission
121 N. Rouse Avenue
Bozeman, Montana 59715
RE: 525 Valley Dr. -sidewalk installation upon annexation
Dear City Commissioners:
In regard to the forced installation of sidewalks upon annexation;there are exceptions to every rule and
we ask for recognition of that in this situation. Installation of a sidewalk during a new construction
phase is vastly different from that of a mature landscape with established homes. Concerns that I'd like
to bring to the attention of the Board follow:
1. Reimbursement and compensation for the demise and removal of mature landscape
a. We have three, 50-year-old,50-foot spruce trees that provide an enormous degree of
privacy, bird and small animal habitat and shade.These are planted on our side of the
property boundary line but the root systems were compromised during the road paving
project of which we previously objected. Installation and delimbing of the trees for a
sidewalk will further compromise these trees to the point of no return.The same can be
said for another large coniferous tree on the other side of our yard to say nothing of
several large shrubs. If these do perish as a direct result of the forced installation of
sidewalks, we assume the City will reimburse us not only for the cost of three 50-foot
spruce trees, possibly a fourth 50-foot tree, and any other planting losses but also for
the loss of privacy, animal habitat and impact it will have on us, personally. We will also
expect the removal of dead trees and all replacement costs to be covered.
b. Several other homes on our street will also seethe demise of their years-standing trees
and shrubs and suffer at the direct loss of privacy.
2. A recently installed sidewalk located immediately across the street connects directly to the
continuous network of city sidewalks allowing for the safe and effective passage of pedestrians.
Common sense dictates to the use of this network of sidewalks rather than the use of City
finances towards further destruction of our homes and landscapes for a sidewalk to nowhere.
3. See recorded document concerning a no-sidewalk agreement with Pine View developer.
Please carefully consider and use common sense in factoring mature landscaping and established homes
into the forced installation of sidewalks upon annexation.
Thank you for your understanding.
Rachel Silve
535 Valley Drive