HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-30-19 Public Comment - C. Groves - Community Plan Draft1
Lacie Kloosterhof
From:Craig Groves <craigrgroves1@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, April 30, 2019 8:17 AM
To:Lacie Kloosterhof
Subject:comments on draft community plan
Ms. Lacie Kloosterhof, Administrative Assistant April 30, 2019
Planning Division
City of Bozeman, MT
RE: Comments on Draft Bozeman Community Plan
Dear Ms. Kloosterhof,
I have reviewed the draft Bozeman Community Plan and would like to offer a few comments in support of this
plan.
1. While I am in agreement with the opening statement on a “City of Neighborhoods” I would add that such a
statement should not only emphasize parks but open spaces with natural habitats. Certainly, all the recent
research on the health benefits that people can gain from simply looking at natural habitats as well as being in
them would support doing so. Under the goal of promoting land preservation and affordable housing, I am
supportive of increasing the density of development and promoting infill.
2. I would especially emphasize the need to do more in terms of providing public transportation, biking lanes,
sidewalks, and trails in both new and existing neighborhood developments. Such an emphasis will also help
make Bozeman a city more resilient to climate change impacts.
3. I would encourage the city to add the notion of an urban growth boundary to this draft document,
promoting development inside that boundary and providing for open space and agricultural conservation
outside the boundary.
4. While I realize that the current document doesn’t specify particular areas for development or nature
conservation, it would be really progressive to see the city promote the idea of restoring much of Bozeman
Creek to a more natural state as it flows through town and establish greenspace and trails along a restored
creek. Many communities have done this with enormous success and use (San Luis Obispo, CA; Boise ID, Boulder
CO, Bend OR just to name a few). In many cases, restaurants and stores can also be developed close by making
such a restoration good for nature, our citizens, and economic development.
5. We have a Climate Action Plan. Let’s do everything we can to make this growth plan consistent and
supportive with that plan – resulting in a city that is designed for future resilience to climate change. As you
know, that means we need to do everything possible to reduce emissions. Certainly, many of the transportation
ideas in this draft growth document are a step in the right direction.
6. We need better cooperation between the city and Gallatin County if this community plan is to be successful.
I don’t know what the best ideas are for building that cooperation, but I hope you and your colleagues will
promote this cooperation wherever possible. One area where cooperation is necessary would be to provide a
means for public transportation from Bozeman to the airport. As our airport is already one of the busiest in the
region, we need to be creative about reducing the number of cars (and emissions) going back and forth to the
airport daily.
7. I don’t see any specific mention of water and energy conservation in new and existing housing
developments. I think it would be worthwhile to incorporate this notion into the community plan.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the draft Community Plan.
Sincerely
2
Craig Groves
4434 White Eagle Circle
Bozeman MT 59715
(406) 451-9549
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Craig Groves
email: craigrgroves1@gmail.com