HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-10-19 Public Comment - D. De Bode - Cottonwood & Ida PUDFrom: Debra De Bode
To: Agenda
Subject: Comments on Cottonwood and Ida PUD, Application # 18516
Date: Sunday, March 10, 2019 12:59:59 PM
To: City of Bozeman Department of Community Development, Attn: Brian Krueger and City
Commissioners
I am writing as an owner of commercial property located two blocks from the proposed
development, as well as a resident of the Northeast Neighborhood. I have attended several
presentations/listening sessions about this property. I support the concept of in-fill -- to a
point, but think that new developments should be planned to fit into existing neighborhoods,
rather than impose an entirely different format on them. The immediate area currently consists
almost exclusively of single-family homes and small shops and businesses -- no large
apartment buildings or office buildings.
I think that the developers are trying to do too much with a small parcel of land in a part of
Bozeman that has a deficient set of roads to handle current traffic. Peach and Wallace streets
have both recently undergone improvements and, other than the Rouse project, no other local
road improvements are planned. I do not support the project as proposed.
Specific to the variances that are being requested:
1) Apartments are needed in Bozeman, but the addition of 76 units along with an office
building, workshops and a restaurant adds an unreasonable amount of activity to this location.
If apartments are to become an allowable use in this district, the number of units need to be
scaled back and/or some of the rest of the project needs to be denied.
2) The required front setback should be maintained for any allowed apartment building or
residence. If a building is commercial in nature, having it more closely border the sidewalk
may be acceptable. A question: What are the developer's plans for snow storage and removal?
As the past two, snowy winters have demonstrated, this is a serious issue that affects parking,
mobility and visibility for drivers and pedestrians. Any allowance of reduced setbacks should
be tied to a plan to deal with snow on the property.
3) The allowable height should be maintained at 45 feet. Mountain views are an amenity for
everyone that should not be compromised.
4) Landscape and Block Frontage requirements should be maintained as set forth in code.
Bozeman prides itself on being a "tree city," "green," etc. -- not overly urban.
5) Neither Residential Parking Standards nor Non-residential Parking Standards should be
reduced AT ALL. Maintaining these standards is key to preventing an unbearable amount of
street congestion in the area.
6) The proposal to lease a significant amount of required parking on the land of the former
Lehrkind Brewery is unacceptable in that it is obviously a temporary fix for a permanent
problem. Future development of that parcel will occur and must be considered.
Thank you,
Debra De Bode
MT Hop Dogs, LLC
527 N Montana Ave.
Bozeman
debradebode@gmail.com