HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-05-19 Public Comment - Z. Osman - NCOD Review and Downtown Bozeman Improvement PlanFrom:Zehra Osman
To:Agenda
Cc:Phillipe Gonzalez; Chris Mehl; Cyndy Andrus; Martin Matsen; Sara@bendonadams.com
Subject:Comments for both the NCOD review and DBIP
Date:Friday, April 05, 2019 2:00:30 PM
Attachments:Comment NCOD and DBIP-v3.docx
Honorable Mayor Andrus and Deputy Mayor Mehl,
My comments on both the NCOD review and the DBIP are attached.
Thank you,
Zehra OsmanBozeman resident
Thank you to Chris Mehl and Cyndy Andrus for meeting with historic preservation advocates about the
Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District (NCOD) review. Thank you for hiring qualified historic
preservation professionals (Bendon-Adams), who, in concurrence with solid community support,
strongly recommend the preservation of the NCOD and its historic districts and enhancement of the role
of the Historic Preservation Advisory Board (HPAB).
The draft Downtown Bozeman Improvement Plan (DBIP) overlaps with the NCOD review. The DBIP
contains some very innovative and exciting ideas regarding future development. Unfortunately, it also
encourages architectural styles dissonant with downtown’s authentic historic character. The DBIP’s
exciting ideas could just as easily be implemented using new buildings that are compatible with adjacent
historic buildings and districts, increasing density within the B3 Zone in a manner that complies with the
2017 Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.
All of the downtown, including the B3 Zone, provides the setting/backdrop to adjacent historic districts,
like the Main Street Historic District. Setting is an important part of what gives historic districts
character. The DBIP architecture recommendations should respect the cherished historic character of
central Main Street, including its (B3) setting. With this modification to the DBIP, the city will garner
greater community support. Without it, even with all the exciting/innovative ideas, I cannot endorse the
DBIP. Bozeman’s sense of place means that much, and this is not a lot to ask.
Therefore, design standards and guidelines are an important next step. As part of the NCOD review and
DBIP recommendations, the HPAB and the city historic preservation officer—not the Downtown
Partnership—should play the lead role in determining these criterions within any district (including
downtown). This would include:
a) work directly with paid historic preservation professionals to develop design standards and
guidelines within the NCOD (or any version of overlay districts) including all of Downtown/B3,
b) make recommendations directly to the city commission regarding the appropriateness of new
construction and proposed demolition within the NCOD (or any version of overlay districts), and
c) work directly with hired historic preservation experts to update the city’s historic
building/resources inventory.
d) Do not remove the B3 zones from historic overlay protections.
Until the proposed new design standards and guidelines are finalized, let’s use the 2017 Secretary of the
Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. Many local historic preservation
professionals are familiar with this comprehensive document and would be happy to provide a
workshop demonstrating how easy they are to use.
Let’s validate the time and money spent on the NCOD review. The HPAB contains strong historic
preservation expertise and should have equal representation before the commission because, as the
NCOD review revealed, this is what your constituents care deeply about.
Best regards,
Zehra Osman
Resident, Bozeman, MT 59718