HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-10-18 Public Comment - R. Canfield - NCOD ReviewFrom:The Canfields
To:Agenda
Cc:Reilly Thimons
Subject:NCOD Review Public Comment
Date:Friday, August 10, 2018 9:40:48 PM
The Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District (NCOD) defines the boundaries
within which Bozeman’s guidelines for historic preservation apply. These guidelines
have been in place for almost 30 years, during which the character of central
Bozeman has been brought to a level that is the envy of historic preservation nation
nationwide. That success notwithstanding, in 2015 consultants recommended
replacing the existing NCOD by multiple sub-districts, surrounded by areas
completely without overlay district protection. As much as local developers might like
this recommendation, this Swiss-cheese structure is unwise for two reasons.
First, a single coherent NCOD is easier and more cost effective to administer than
multiple districts. For an example, consider the US health care and insurance system,
which is a patchwork of plans, government and private. Each has its own rules,
deductibles, reimbursement levels, and nuances. This complexity leads to confusion
and errors that are major drivers of U.S. healthcare costs. Just like health care,
community planning needs to be kept as manageable as possible.
Second, creation of multiple sub-districts of the NCOD will mean more transition
zones, which invariably mean more conflicts. A painful example is the transition zone
between the massive and character-less Black Olive development and the adjacent
charming and livable historic districts. Such transition zones must not be created
willy-nilly throughout central Bozeman.
Tweak the boundaries where the surveys show that it makes sense, but keep one
single coherent NCOD.
Richard C Canfield
(406) 579-9095