HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-19-19 Public Comment - C. Rader - Gallatin Green Blvd ProposalFrom:Connie Rader
To:Danielle Garber; Agenda
Subject:Proposed development on Gallatin Green Blvd - open comment period
Date:Wednesday, June 19, 2019 12:50:47 PM
Dear Danielle Garber and City of Bozeman Department of Community Development,
I’m writing this comment on the proposed new development on Gallatin Green Blvd, application 18557.
I am a homeowner on Gallatin Green Blvd for almost 2 years now. The applied for, and proposed project
development is completely non compliant with the criteria deemed necessary per 38.230.100, etc for the following
reasons:
1. Traffic/parking - Gallatin Green Blvd, on any given day/night is lined on both sides with parked cars due to the
limited parking available with the houses and back alleys/garages that the neighborhood is designed around. Most
families have 2 cars, with only a 1 car garage. Guests of the townhouse buildings on Gallatin Green all park on the
street. Guests for homeowners all park on the street. Because of the already overcrowded parking on the street,
Gallatin Green, is at most times, a single lane road - especially in the winter. Cars have to try and pull over, or turn
into one of the parking lots, for other cars to pass. Recently, a car of a young family, was completely totaled by a
hit-and-run driver, and our car, and at least one other, have had their rearview mirrors knocked off. In the winter, it
is even worse. The way that the curbs on each intersection of Gallatin Green are rounded into the street, only 1 car
can turn at a time. Adding 70+ more cars to this street is beyond comprehension, and would be in complete
violation of 38.230.100 6.2.a
2. In reference to Sec 38.230.100. 7.a and b. - The proposed project is not compatible with, nor sensitive to, the
immediate environment of the site or adjacent neighborhood in architectural design, building mass, neighborhood
identity, historical character and visual integration. The homes directly across the street are single story, small
homes with no yards. From my understanding, when they were built, the property now being potentially developed
was slated to be open space, and at least one homeowner purchased their home with that promise. Several of the
homes have very young children - from infants to 3 years old, whose only place to play outside is on their front
(very small) lawns, and side walk, and then over to the open space. Not only is the proposed building so massive
that it obstructs all of those homes' views, but the size, and number of cars that it will bring in on Gallatin Green is a
safety issue for these families and their children.
Gallatin Green is also used by children as they bike to Chief Joseph Middle School - yet there is no bike lane, they
just bike down the middle of the street. Imposing 70+ cars on Gallatin Green is another huge safety concern for
them.
The proposed development is also completely the opposite of the neighborhood identity that is across the street -
which is one of small, affordable homes for young families, with what should be, open space for their children to
play. It is also, not in keeping at all with the architecture on Gallatin Green that is all south of Kimberwicke as this
development is. It is also not in keeping with the whole Baxter Meadows development that is currently in place, and
commercial space has absolutely no business being placed here.
This proposed development does not meet the criteria at all of 7b, that states that a development must produce an
efficient functionally organized and cohesive development, but rather will disrupt, and cause potential harm to the
current neighborhood. The proposed lofts (especially being 3 stories) are completely insensitive to the immediate
environment which includes the homes across the street, and their architectural design is completely out of place for
this part of Gallatin Green Blvd.
I ask you respectfully, to please decline this proposed development as it has been applied for. Most of us have that
have moved to Bozeman, moved here, and purchased where we did, because of quiet streets in the neighborhood,
which also translates to a safer street system for our young children to grow up. We also have moved here because
of the beauty of the open spaces, open green spaces, etc. This neighborhood (Baxter Meadows) was designed with
the family in mind by the way many of the homes are built around small play parks out their front doors. This is the
“historical character”, and “neighborhood identity”, that we want to preserve. Just because the homes on Gallatin
Green are where they are, does not mean that they should not also have the same privilege of having that same
neighborhood identity. This proposed project takes that identity completely away. We need our building and
planning departments to look out for us - not the out of town developer. This proposed development is “detrimental
to the health, safety and welfare of this community" on Gallatin Green. (Sec. 38.230.100. 7B)
Sincerely,
Connie Rader
Owner of 2449 Gallatin Green Blvd