HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-29-19 Public Comment - A. Hoitsma - The MerinFrom:Amy Kelley Hoitsma
To:Sarah Rosenberg; Agenda
Subject:Application 19215: The Merin
Date:Thursday, August 29, 2019 10:52:45 AM
To the Planning Department and the City Commission:
I understand that this project has been through various reviews and that many revisions have been made to address
concerns about mass/scale, parking, and access to/from its parking garage. I also understand that the project lies
within the B-3 zoning, and that this building seems to meet the objectives the City clearly laid out in Subchapter 4B
of the NCOD: Guidelines for the B-3 Commercial Character Area. In fact, I imagine many viewers would agree that
this building essentially looks exactly like the images accompanying Subchapter 4B.
At this point I assume there are no reasonable grounds for the Planning Department to deny this application.
And so I submit this letter simply to state my opinion for the public record that this building is too tall and its
footprint too massive relative to all other commercial buildings and residences that surround it. I strongly believe
there needs to be a more considerate and obvious visual transition between the new downtown commercial
development and long-standing residential neighborhoods in order to preserve the character and livability of those
neighborhoods.
I do not believe that Downtown can or should attempt to absorb all of the growth coming our way. I do not believe
we have the infrastructure to support the influx of people and traffic to this area. I believe the housing created by this
project does not serve the needs of current residents seeking housing simply because it will be unaffordable relative
to Bozeman wages. And I believe it will diminish the safety and livability of the surrounding neighborhood due to
increased traffic and congestion.
With the best of intentions for Bozeman and the NE neighborhood,
Amy Kelley Hoitsma
706 E. Peach St.
Bozeman MT 59715
406-581-1513