HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-26-19 Public Comment - J. Lunden - Recovery HouseFrom:Jason Lunden, DPT, SCS
To:Agenda
Subject:[SENDER UNVERIFIED]Addict Recovery House
Date:Friday, July 26, 2019 10:29:22 PM
Dear Bozeman City Commission and Planning Division,
Through the Bozeman Daily Chronical, I recently became aware of plans for a addict
recovery house in the Figgins neighborhood. I am shocked that there has not been
any posting at the proposed property on the corner of Westridge and Graf, nor any
notification to neighborhood residents of the plan. For better or worse, having an
addict recovery house has the potential to significantly affect the neighborhood and
the community needs to be involved in the decision process.
While there certainly is a need for recovery homes in Bozeman, it seems like there is
a serious lack of judgement with the proposed location. Located on the corner of
Westridge & Graf, the house sits in close proximity to both Morningstar Elementary
School and Sacajawea Middle School. The sidewalk in front of the house is a main
corridor for children walking and biking to either school.
According to studies, sober living home programs do increase the rate of abstinence
significantly. However, recovery rates are still only 40-70%. Potentially having 4-7
residents that relapse seems an undue risk to neighbors and the students of
Morningstar and Sacajawea.
Lastly, the Figgins neighborhood and proposed location for the addict recovery house
is zoned R-1. Per the chronicle article, in order for the house just to break even it
would need 12 residents. Having 12 adult residents along with a house supervisor
certainly does not qualify as “residential single-household low density district”. In
addition to other issues, there simply is not enough parking. During the school year
Westridge Dr. is already very congested with traffic and having 13 additional vehicles
parked at or near the corner of Westridge and Graf would only add to existing traffic
issues.
To summarize, while an addict recovery house is certainly needed in Bozeman, the
proposed location is not a good choice due to is proximity to two schools and zoning
issues. Lastly, the residents of the neighborhood need to be involved in the process.
Sincerely,
Jason Lunden
Jason Lunden, PT, DPT, SCS
Board Cert. Specialist in Sports Physical Therapy
Excel Physical Therapy
406.556.0562 Bozeman
406.556.0965 fax
406.284.4262 Manhattan
406.284.4203 fax
www.excelptmt.com