HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-05-19 Public Comment - A. Bahn - Westland Lofts ProjectFrom:Danielle Garber
To:Agenda
Subject:FW: Westlands Lofts, Application 18558 revision
Date:Monday, August 05, 2019 1:10:02 PM
Danielle Garber | Associate Planner, Community Development
City of Bozeman | 20 East Olive St. | P.O. Box 1230 | Bozeman, MT 59771
P: 406.582.2272 | E: dgarber@bozeman.net | W: www.bozeman.net
The update to the Bozeman Community Plan is underway. Help shape the future
at www.bozeman.net/communityplan.
From: Alexis Bahn <alexisbahn@hotmail.com>
Sent: Monday, August 5, 2019 1:05 PM
To: Danielle Garber <DGarber@BOZEMAN.NET>
Cc: Mary-Martha Bahn <mmbahn@gmail.com>
Subject: Westlands Lofts, Application 18558 revision
August 5, 2019
City of Bozeman
Department of Community Development
Alfred M. Stiff Professional Building
20 East Olive St
Bozeman MT
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing to voice my opposition to the proposed Westlands Lofts, Application
18558, revised.
This project proposes to build 8 storefront commercial units, topped with residential
condos across 2 buildings in an area that has no commercial activity. The revision
to this plan has failed to take into account the most disruptive aspects of the plan,which are the commercial storefronts and increased traffic this will bring, and does
not make attempts to assimilate into the established environment of the area.
The site location is at the end of Gallatin Green Blvd, which is a residential street.
There are no retail or other business locations anywhere on this street, which is fullybuilt out with the exception of this location. This location is bracketed to the north
and south by multi-family residential units and to the west by single family homes.To the east of the location is a small green space and wetlands, beyond which lies
more residential structures. Chief Joseph Middle School lies a few blocks away,establishing this area as a residential and school-oriented area. It is not a place for
commercial building. With no other lots in the immediate vicinity to
continue commercial building, a storefront area in the middle of a residential street,
with no other commercial business, simply does not make sense, and disrupts the
residential aspect of the community.
This road is already filled with parked cars on either side, making it only passable byone car at a time. The proposed build out will greatly increase traffic, on a road that
is not built to accommodate this increase. This road cannot reasonablyaccommodate this increased level in traffic. Further, this street is utilized by school
traffic during the academic year by both buses and cars coming to and from ChiefJoseph Middle School, as well as increased foot traffic from children riding bikes and
walking to and from school. The proposed building will only cause a lack of visibilityfor both drivers and pedestrians, making it an unsafe place for children to get to
school.
Additionally, successful commercial property brings with it delivery trucks of all sizes,at all times of the day from early morning until late in the afternoon and evenings.
Large trucks simply won’t fit down this street. Even if they make it down the streetwithout side-swiping parked vehicles, the noise they will bring in this residential
neighborhood would be unacceptable to any reasonable person. This lack of roadspace is exacerbated during the winter, when snow levels push cars away from the
curb and further limit the space for even regular cars, let alone delivery trucks.
This area does have several condo buildings, all residential. Another similar
residential development without the proposed commercial storefront space wouldbe appropriate. The revisions for this lot have failed to eliminate this aspect of the
plan, and it is the part of the plan that most aggravates the community that will beaffected by this development.
This neighborhood and community values the safety of the children in the area, and
the smaller, purely residential community. Please keep the integrity of ourneighborhood in tact by not allowing commercial development on this land.
Please deny this application in its current form. The revisions proposed by thedeveloper ignore the residential environment of the area, the lack of suitable road
space and parking, and the disruption to the established community. This location issimply not suitable for commercial storefront development. The road infrastructure
cannot accommodate the increase in traffic, the disturbance to those who live there,and the diminishment of property values is too high a cost. There are other
alternatives that would allow that property to be developed in a manner that isappropriate for the access and the neighborhood.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Alexis Bahn
2448 Gallatin Green Blvd Unit IBozeman MT 59718