HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-31-19 Public Comment - D. Strahn - NCOD ReviewFrom:Derek Strahn
To:Agenda
Subject:Public Comment Regarding Bendon-Adams NCOD Report
Date:Sunday, March 31, 2019 12:42:50 PM
March 31, 2019
Attn: City Commission
PO Box 1230
Bozeman, MT 59771
Dear City Commission:
Many thanks to the City of Bozeman and its Historic Preservation Specialist, Phil Gonzalez, for funding and
overseeing the recent study of the Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District (NCOD), by consultants Bendon-
Adams. This process has afforded our community an opportunity to voice its strong support for historic
preservation at a critical juncture in Bozeman's development.
I urge the City Commissioners to follow the recommendations of Bendon-Adams and: 1.) preserve the NCOD and
Bozeman's historic districts; and 2.) enhance the role of the Historic Preservation Advisory Board (HPAB) in the
local preservation planning process.
Regarding the NCOD boundaries, I would suggest eliminating North Seventh Avenue, so as to facilitate the
promising new developments at Midtown, where, in contrast to the Main Street Historic District, culturally-
significant fabric is far less prevalent. When budgets allow, trained professionals should draft clear, enforceable,
locally-specific preservation guidelines for evaluating new construction within the NCOD.
The City Commission should also capitalize on the Historic Preservation Advisory Board's knowledge by enhancing
its needed purpose and functions in several useful and cost-saving ways. The HPAB could: 1.) work in tandem
with paid preservation experts to update Bozeman's inventory of historic resources; 2.) help create new preservation
guidelines and regulations for the NCOD and its nationally recognized historic districts; 3.) make recommendations
regarding a new, meaningful demolition ordinance for the NCOD; 4.) identify additional "local historic districts" i.e.
neighborhoods within or outside of the NCOD with high concentrations of historic resources where preservation is
prioritized; and, when appropriate, 5.) assist the City in reviewing new construction projects within the NCOD.
Again, thank you for shining a spotlight on historic preservation over the past several months, and for your
consideration of the matters outlined above.
Derek Strahn
412 West Harrison Street
Bozeman, MT. 59715
406-587-0254