HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-28-19 Public Comment - M. Hartsog - HRDC Warming Center SiteFrom:Michael Hartsog
To:Sarah Rosenberg; Agenda
Cc:darren.schlepp@bsd7.org
Subject:RE: HRDC proposal on homeless shelter at 3025 Westridge Drive
Date:Monday, October 28, 2019 9:11:24 PM
Dear Sarah, Marten, Mayor Andrus and Bozeman City Commissioners,
Our name is Michael and Stephanie Hartsog. We, and our four children, Tristen, Reilly,
Logan and Jillian, are residents of 3037 Ritter Drive here in Bozeman. We are aware of the
HRDC proposal to turn 3025 Westridge Drive into a homeless shelter.
As neighbors who live almost next door, we are writing to let you know that we DO NOT
support this proposal in any way, shape or form, and, quite honestly, are shocked that it is
even being considered by the City of Bozeman in this particular location.
While we are fully supportive of caring for those less fortunate in our community and have
compassion toward those who need support, in this case, the proposed shelter jeopardizes
Morning Star students’ safety and the overall wellbeing of our neighborhood.
While not our only concern, we are most concerned about its proximity to Morning Star
elementary school. We have two young children who attend Morning Star - children who
play on the playground each day (& on the weekends) and who walk to and from school
every day, crossing a crosswalk that adjoins the proposed property’s yard. Secondly, our
children, along with dozens of our neighbor’s children, play in yards scattered all over this
neighborhood, as well as walk, ride bikes and scooters on its sidewalks. This proposal puts
every one of these children at extreme risk, to the extent that they will no longer be able to
recreate in their own neighborhood.
It is a fact that:
HRDC does not and will not provide screening of homeless individuals - no
background checks, no prior history. This a low barrier entry home.
HRDC residents would be required to walk a mile through Figgins neighborhood to
the nearest sheltered public transit locations, crossing multiple school crosswalks.
The proposed shelter is 287 feet from the Morning Star playground, which is where
morning walkers and bikers play before and after school. It also borders the
crosswalk and sidewalk that children use to walk and bike to school from Allison,
Alder Creek, Sundance Springs and Westridge subdivisions (over 500 elementary
school students). This is simply irresponsible and a dangerous proposal.
Any police action that disrupts normal human flow will create chaos for students aged
5 to 11, many of whom are not accompanied by parents, and not yet in the care of
teachers. By approving this special permit, the city is creating severe safety risks for
the area residents, especially school children. Furthermore, any police interaction will
surely be witnessed by these young children given it’s 287 feet from the school
property and borders the main cross walk they use.
Opening HRDC homeless shelters has proven to yield an increase in crime within
their immediate and surrounding neighborhoods. HRDC irresponsibly claims they will
be providing transportation and therefore, downplays this concern, but in NO WAY
WHATSOEVER can control the pedestrian movement of homeless people in and
around the streets of Bozeman, and to argue otherwise is intellectually dishonest.
What does this mean for the safety of area residents and Morning Star students?
This neighborhood is zoned R-1 designation and home owners - myself included -
purchased homes in this area because of its R-1 designation. This shelter will
negatively impact the character of the Figgins, Allison, Alder Creek and Westridge
neighborhoods - increased smoking, noise disturbances, and crime are
GUARANTEED.
Again, my concerns are not derived from a lack of compassion. My concern is about
location. Ignoring the impacts and risks with this location would be a disservice to our
neighborhood, and especially our children.
I urge you to deny the request to change the R-1 zoning and convert 3025 Westridge Drive
into an HRDC homeless shelter - for the safety and wellness of all Morning Star children
and the neighborhood residents. Thank you for your consideration of our concerns on this
matter.
Sincerely,
Michael R. Hartsog
Stephanie M. Hartsog
Tristen, Reilly, Logan & Jillian