HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-06-19 Public Comment - H. Camper and C. Lease - HRDC Warming Center SiteFrom:Hali Camper
To:Sarah Rosenberg; Agenda
Subject:HRDC"s 3025 Westridge Drive
Date:Wednesday, November 06, 2019 5:28:41 PM
Good Day, We write today with regards to the proposed Warming Center location at 3025 Westridge
Drive. As a owner/residents of the Figgins neighborhood on Langhor Avenue, we support thedecision to use the house as a location for overnight housing for our homeless community.
The arguments against this use ignore the realities faced by the neighborhood as a whole.
Those who are seeking shelter in our coldest months are less likely to put their sleepingsituation at risk than any of the other residents our area. Having personally witnessed risky
actions by residents and guests thereof in our neighborhood, ranging from blocking streetswith cars and trailers to intoxicated behaviors, it is narrowly-focused to hone in on the
perceived dangers of those who need a place to sleep for the night. Furthermore, having nocovenants there are no restrictions, other than zoning, as to how properties in the Figgins
subdivision may be used. We have no say as to if a house for sale may be used as a short-termor long-term rental or any way to vet new owner occupants, nor would we want to. HRDC
purchased this house in the same way we all did. We should give them the opportunity toprove that their proposed use is not detrimental to the neighborhood, rather than subjecting
them to worst-case scenarios of the mind. Fears for the kids in the neighborhood also feel over-inflated as the Warming Center operates
from November to March from 7pm to 7am. Having done much walking during these hoursand at this time of year, there are few unaccompanied children out and about due to the lack of
daylight and the cold temperatures. Indeed, those that need a warm place to sleep are generallyseeking to get out of the elements. Likewise, with the hours of the shelter and the hours of the
Bozeman School District, there should be very little overlap between the two. To fear theseindividuals seems to speak to a lack of belief that the community can look out for itself with
the help of trained HRDC staff and on-call law enforcement.
Further concerns about bus stop locations could be further solved by adding a Streamline stopcloser to the proposed Westridge house. Rather than outright dismissing the location due to
current logistics, we as a city and community should challenge ourselves to improve logisticsregarding such matters. We may have made the biggest investments of our lives in our homes,
but is there any greater investment than in the ability for individuals to live through our sub-zero nights?
We are creative. We are compassionate. We can continue the lives we are accustomed to ANDoffer up our extraordinary neighborhood to those who need such a space.
No neighborhood in Bozeman is going to view itself as a perfect location for such a facility.
We can lead by example and show that schools, owner-occupied homes, college rentals, and amuch needed facility to protect lives and health through our coldest months can co-exist.
Best,
Hali Camper and Colter Lease
3017 Langhor Avenue