HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-22-19 Public Comment - B. Noelle - AC Hotel by MarriottFrom:babs noelle
To:Danielle Garber; Agenda
Subject:[SENDER UNVERIFIED]RE: Application 19078
Date:Tuesday, October 22, 2019 3:59:48 PM
Dear Ms. Garber, City Commissioners, and Mayor Andrus:
I write to you with grave concerns about Application #19078 (AC Hotel). I am a
resident of Bozeman, downtown business owner, and the President of the DBA
for the past fourteen years. I write this as a concerned citizen and business
owner; I do not here speak on behalf of the DBA membership or board, as we
have not discussed this issue in an official capacity.
To be clear, I have concerns that "something is rotten in the state of Denmark"
as pertains to the push and pull over spots in the parking garage, and I feel the
above-mentioned application serves as an example of that rot.
It appears that despite the Parking Commission's thoughtful (and voted-upon)
decision to not extend any more long-term leases in the parking garage until
further and actionable data become available, that the applicant is insisting on
80 UDC leases be granted, based on said applicant's belief that the parking
garage is underutilized. That is an opinion that can only be formed using April
2019 data.
During a joint meeting of the DBA, URD, and BID a few months ago, all
stakeholders on those boards agreed: NO DECISIONS regarding long-term
parking should be made using the data from April 2019--which was all the data
available at the time.
To date, however, Application 19078 still shows ZERO parking spaces to be
provided by applicant.
This is an end-run around a lot of people:
The Parking Commissioners, who have a completely thankless and complex
job as they deal with all the sudden growth.
The board members of the DBA, URD, and BID--all of whom are in the
trenches daily, and who agree that while growth is good, the growth cannot
be made on the backs of those who comprise the downtown core, which is
marked by old (often historic) buildings that CANNOT increase their
parking capacity, no matter what. Yet, we were the ones who faithfully put
money into the coffers to build the parking garage in the first place.
The former TIF board, who built the parking garage, the express purpose
of which was to "attract a large hotel to downtown Bozeman."
Per that last point: Mission Accomplished! The Element exists, and the
Etha/Armory Hotel will be on-line soon.
I rigorously object to the possible end-run granting of 80 UDC Bridger Park
spaces to the property that is the subject of Application 19078. We have
reached the point where continued "upward" development downtown must include
parking provisions provided by the developers. If that is not to be stomached by
any particular developer, it certainly will be by another--whether sooner or later.
But for the time being, I must insist that the "beliefs" of the developer of the
AC Hotel cannot be what allows this application to go through with zero parking
provided as a part of the plan. All of downtown needs to see what the near
future holds (particularly as we wait for the Etha to open) regarding parking.
Thank you for your service, and your attention in this matter.
Respectfully,
Babs Noelle
--
babs noelle
>>>ringleader<<<
2011 Winner of the American Art Awards, Jewelry Division
and 2013 Prospera Woman Entrepreneur of the Year
alara jewelry
42 w. main street
bozeman, montana 59715
(406) 522-8844
"Named One of the 20 Coolest Jewelry Stores in North America, Three Years Running, and
Second Coolest in 2010"
alara jewelry42 w. Main Street
bozeman, mt 59715406.522.8844
Named the #2 Coolest Jewelry Store in North America in 2010
www.alarajewelry.com