HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-27-19 Public Comment - N. Stine - Aviator Building1
Robin Crough
From:Nicole Stine <n.colestine@gmail.com>
Sent:Saturday, April 27, 2019 1:09 PM
To:Agenda
Subject:Aviator Building - Bozeman Resident Concern
Categories:Public Comment
Hello City Officials,
My name is Nicole Stine and I am a concerned Bozeman resident living at 217 W Koch St, 59715. Additionally,
I work as a Designer at an Architecture firm here in Bozeman. I feel passionately that the Aviator Building that
was reviewed by the Design Review Board on 4/10/2019 is not appropriately designed for the neighborhood
context and entry corridor it is planned to be located in. This building is slated to be be built in one of the most
prominent entry corridors in Bozeman, which welcomes people that have a huge impact on our economy. Some
of these people are visitors and this building will be one of the first prominent buildings they will see as they
enter Bozeman. Based on my notes below on lack of contextuality and inappropriate scale, this building is not
fit for that prominent role.
In addition to my point about the building prominence in an important entry corridor into Bozeman, the
following sections from the City of Bozeman Unified Devleopment Code have been overlooked and make this
design unfit to be approved.
Sec. 38.530.030 - Building Character
The first item in this section addresses the intent of a building character, which this building design does
not comply with. As a start, the history of Bozeman is not based in aviation so the "theme" of this
building seems to be a bit misplaced. The "cloud like" forms arbitrarily located around the building
described in the elevation as "Fiberglass, White w/ smooth" seem to be related to the aviation theme, but
have no contextual significance to Bozeman. Additionally, their scale is completely out of proportion
with a "human scaled design detail".
While the helicopter that is proposed to permanently live on the roof of the building will add interest, it
is does not respond to the site's context nor is it regionally appropriate.
Sec. 38.530.040 - Building massing & Articulation
While the "cloud like" swoops on every elevation of this building may add visual interest, it will be for
the wrong reasons as they are distracting to the building's design. Additionally, their scale is not an
appropriate scale in comparison to the rest of the building.
Sec. 38.520.010 - Purpose
2
In addition to this design not being contextual to Bozeman's history or traditions, it does not fit into the
surrounding site plan. The section above highlights Bozeman's goals to make sure new development is
compatible with existing developments. The design shown at the Aviator Building has very little relation
to the surrounding buildings and will standout for all the wrong reasons. It would seem this design is not
intentional given that it does not fit in with the context of Bozeman or the development it is planned to
live within.
In conclusion, I would recommend the City Council reclaim this project and propose a redesign to comply with
the items highlighted above due to its prominence at a critical entry corridor from the west side of Bozeman. In
the last 2 years I have prepared multiple site plan applications for projects in Bozeman under the updated UDC
and understand how time consuming this process can be for the owner and Architect, however in this case this
building is not fit for this site as it is currently designed and should be reconsidered. The visual attributes of this
building design will only provide a negative lasting impression of the character of the city for residents and
visitors alike that enter Bozeman from the West.
As I mentioned before, I do understand this process of design approval with the City very well and in this case
want to make sure this design is not just pushed through, as it will have a significant impact on one of
Bozeman's most critical entryway corridors. I am happy to answer any additional questions based on my
comments above. I will be watching the agendas to make sure I am available to attend the City Council meeting
if this project were to be reclaimed to share my concerns with the involved parties.
Thank you for your time,
Nicole Stine
Bozeman Resident
n.colestine@gmail.com