HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-20-18 Public Comment - J. Yanker - BHS Stadium Building ExemptionsFrom:Julia Yanker
To:Courtney Johnson; Agenda; facilities@bsd7.org; trustees@bsd7.org
Subject:Concerned Citizen Comments: BHS Building Exemptions
Date:Monday, August 20, 2018 9:03:40 AM
Hello City and School District officials,
As a member of the community who also lives on N 15th Ave, I'd like to share my
concerns with the current building proposal for BHS's new stadium and let you know
that I am adamantly opposed to the exemptions from city planning regulations being
proposed by BHS. There are many reasons why this whole project is a disaster - the
lack of planning, foresight, and misuse of public trust.
I would be so curious to see what the outcome of a vote would be on the REAL plan
for the high school, now that it has been unveiled. The board should have come to
voters with a full plan to begin with. I never would have voted for such a monstrosity
to be put in the middle of Bozeman, where there's very little room already and things
are congested with traffic. Traffic has already become, and quickly becoming more so,
an issue for Bozeman because of growth and poor planning. Why would you allow
something to be built that would exacerbate that problem? And especially on a road
that already experiences traffic problems? Building a new high school on the fringes of
Bozeman is a great idea. Building a stadium that will draw both high school districts
into the center of Bozeman is a terrible idea. Have you experienced traffic in the area
already? Why support a proposal that will make it way worse? This is an opportunity
for planners to be proactive about the existing traffic problem in Bozeman - take it
while you can.
What other options has the school board considered, I'd like to know, besides the
current plan? Why not build all this on the new campus?
(insert heavy sarcasm here) It's so nice that the current plans will allow the school
district to save so much money...money that the community members living beside
the school will have to pay for through decreases in our own property value. How is
this fair? I would like to be compensated for the loss of value of my home, please, and
this should be inserted into the budget for building. Still look like a good idea? Oh -
you're not willing to pay this indirect cost for building? Big surprise. Go ahead and
push it on us, then. We have very little voice and power, so it's ok. It's the mindset the
big corporations have been using forever and look where it's gotten us - the Big Guys
do what's best for them, and tromp on the Little Guys. It's led to a wonderful world we
live in. (end heavy sarcasm)
This plan calls for compromise. I know something can be worked out if the school
board were willing to compromise. I haven't heard of such openness, which is too bad.
Since the school board is unwilling to do what it takes to work out a plan with its
neighbors, I ask that the city step in and enforce the policies that the School District
would otherwise be exempt from. It's the least BHS can do if they're going to move
forward with such heavy opposition from the direct neighbors who have to live with
this, day in and day out.
I didn't move to N 15th Ave 1 year ago to live next to a sports stadium, or to watch
thousands of cars drive by a day. N 15th Ave is already busy enough. I can't even back
out of my driveway without being honked at as it is. If the school board would like to
reimburse me the cost of moving to a new place and loss in value of my home, I am
happy to live elsewhere in Bozeman, now that I know the plan.
Yes, a high school and the many students who will move through it are important. But
I am convinced that a proper schooling can be had without such negative impacts to
the neighbors around the school and our community at large. The exemptions being
asked for are for grandiose imaginings of the perfect high school. Come on - let's tone
it down a little (do we really NEED an astro-turf field? If it's so darn expensive, and
you can't afford to implement plans that would comply with city planning regulations,
then get rid of it and compromise to do what's best for students and neighbors!).
Thank you for considering my remarks and doing what's best for our community.
Sincerely,
Julia Yanker
503 N. 15th Ave.
P.S. I would also like to be reimbursed by the city if/when my vehicle gets hit because
of high volume traffic and reduced visibility when I am backing out of my driveway
and can't see because of all the parked cars everywhere, or when my car gets hit while
parked on the side of the road because it's so narrow. Thanks.
Julia YankerTransformational CoachLife Untethered Coaching
"The distance between your dreams and reality is called ACTION."