HomeMy WebLinkAboutEmail to BendonAdams re NCOD ReviewOn Mon, Dec 17, 2018 at 9:45 PM Jennifer Dunn <REDACTED> wrote:
Dear Ms. Adams and Mr. Bendon,
Thank you for reviewing the Bozeman Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District (NCOD) and historic
preservation program. The Historic Preservation Advisory Board appreciates the efforts made to work
with the consultants hired to review the Downtown Improvement plan and Community Growth
Plan. Both of these consultants have understood the importance of preserving historic culture in
Bozeman as apart of their plans. Developing a perspective that is outside the city of Bozeman is
refreshing and reassuring that the recommendations derived from your research and outreach are
objective.
As you review the final draft of your recommendations, we would like you to consider the following
comments and questions from the draft document:
· The need for a historic property survey was made clear in several chapters of the NCOD draft as a
first step for improving the NCOD and historic preservation program. However, it is not clearly defined
as a stand alone recommendation in one of the chapters. Should this be clearly defined as a
recommendation with an emphasis on “threatened” areas?
· We applaud the idea of elevating the Historic Preservation Advisory Board (HPAB) to a quasi-
judicial board. Since we currently do NOT review any projects, even in an advisory capacity, the current
board wants to be a more active part of the review process. We would take necessary steps or training
to move in the direction of a quasi-judicial board. We feel that the document needs to clearly outline
how the board can be elevated to that level in phases or steps, and how those would align with the
review process. We discussed including the board review process in the planning departments flow
chart to better explain how this would fit wit the current planning review process.
· As a board, we support the zoning transitions like the B3-T.
· In addition to the transition zones, we feel it is important to work with the current city code to
improve the design standards and guidelines of the NCOD. Using the city’s Block Frontage Standards
could be another way for soften the transition between zoning districts.
· We would like more information or clarification in chapters five, Streamline Process, and six,
Project Information. Perhaps including a flow chart or visual graphic will help explain the process. How
does breaking the historic preservation program from the NCOD help streamline the process?
· While chapter six touches on getting information out the public on specific projects, we would like
to see more recommendations for, or examples of other cities, public education programs. What ways
can we help to educate the public on historic preservation in general and more specifically to Bozeman?
We appreciate the time you have taken to work with our community and board to reach your current
recommendations. While it is sometimes overlooked or unsaid, a large part of what makes Bozeman
special is our history and that is worth protecting. We hope you consider our comments above as you
work towards your final recommendations and alternates.
Best,
The Bozeman Historic Preservation Advisory Board
Jennifer Dunn, Chair
Jeanne Wilkinson, Vice-Chair
Crystal Alegria, Member
Chelsea Holling, Member
Eric Karshner, Member
Michael Wallner, Member
Victoria York, Member
Jennifer Dunn RA