HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-28-19 Public Comment - D. McGuire - HRDC Warming Center SiteFrom:McGuire, Daniella
To:Sarah Rosenberg; McGuire, Daniella
Cc:Agenda
Subject:Letter in Opposition to HRDC Warming Center
Date:Monday, October 28, 2019 10:33:20 AM
Attachments:image001.pngHRDC Shelter.pdf
Good morning,
Attached please find a citizen’s opposition to the HRDC Warming Center.
Thank you.
Daniella McGuire, JD
AIAN CTRP Project Coordinator
www.montana.edu/aian
Please remember to cite AI/AN CTRP in your publications, presentations, press releases, and other documents that describe
activities that were/are supported by AI/AN CTRP funding or services. “This research is supported by the National Institutes
of Health under Award Number U54GM115371.”
October 25, 2019
To Whom It May Concern:
My name is Daniella McGuire, and I write to you as a concerned parent and citizen of South
Bozeman. It has been brought to my attention that the Bozeman Director of Community
Development, Marten Matsen, is considering approving an HRDC Warming Center at 3025
Westridge Drive.
On behalf of my family and my community, we respectfully request that approval of this
center be denied.
This discussion is not about compassion for those individuals in need. I, myself, spent the
majority of my career as an attorney serving low income people in their employment law
claims. Today we discuss the health and safety of the residents surrounding Morning Star
School and Sacajawea Middle School, in addition to the health and safety of those individuals
who will be seeking shelter at the Westridge location.
The proposed location is simply not the right place for a homeless shelter. As you know, the
residential home on Westridge sits on a major thoroughfare between two of the largest schools
in South Bozeman. Children walking and biking that pathway in the morning and afternoon will
be put in danger by being exposed to second hand cigarette smoke, additional cars traveling
through the neighborhood, shuttle traffic, and cars being parked on the residential streets.
While HRDC claims that individuals will not be “allowed” to bring their cars to the shelter, there
is no realistic way for HRDC employees/volunteers to monitor visitor traffic. Children traveling
to and from school will be put in danger by these factors.
The HRDC will not be screening guests. The proposed HRDC location is 287 feet from Morning
Star School. During a time in which we are struggling to keep our children safe in their schools,
the HRDC is threatening our children by allowing unscreened individuals to reside temporarily
in close proximity of two public schools. Those individuals staying at the shelter will have little
access to public transportation and business as the area is entirely residential.
Compassion for those in need as well as for Bozeman residents. Many of us have worked and
saved our entire lives to buy or rent homes in areas where our children can get quality public
education. Those residents of the Figgins neighborhood will surely see a significant decline in
their home values. Is there concern for those individuals who have poured their lives into
owning their own homes and will now face a serious decline in their savings? Once again, while
we believe that a shelter is important and necessary, this is not the right location.
The HRDC is doing a disservice to those in need by considering this location. Residents of the
Figgins and surrounding neighborhoods are upset that their voices are not being heard in the
decision to turn 3025 Westridge into a homeless shelter. Animosity is growing amongst
residents. If this shelter is allowed, residents will certainly be looking for reasons to call the
authorities at any given opportunity. The HRDC must find a good faith location for the shelter
where those seeking temporary housing will be welcome and will have ample opportunity to
seek work in local businesses. 3025 Westridge does not offer access to work and businesses
and temporary residents will be under strict scrutiny of local homeowners.
While we all feel compassion for those in need and believe that a warming center is an
important piece of our community, locating the HRDC Center in the middle of a residential
neighborhood housing two large public schools is a mistake inviting legal action.
Again, we ask that the Bozeman Director of Community Development deny this request and/or
that the HRDC rescind its application for a shelter at 3025 Westridge Drive. We strive to
maintain the health and safety of families living in this area as well as that of those individuals
seeking shelter. This location is not appropriate for a future HRDC shelter.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Daniella Payes McGuire
406-209-2092