Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-14-19 Public Comment - T. Foster - Bozeman Community PlanFrom:Tom Foster To:Agenda Cc:Ralph Zimmer Subject:Bozeman Community Plan Draft Comments Date:Saturday, December 14, 2019 10:12:19 AM Attachments:Comments on the Bozeman Community Plan draft dated November 26.docx Attached are my comments on the Bozeman Community Plan draft dated 26 November 2019. Please consider my comments in future revisions made to this draft document. I feel that it isvery important that Bozeman show leadership in sustainability in our future planning of our community. This emphasis on sustainability will benefit the livability of Bozeman and besupported by all residents of the city and county. Than you for your consideration of these comments. Regards, Tom Foster 6928 Bristol LaneBozeman, MT 59715 Tom FosterPhone: 406-556-8066 Cell: 406-570-3686Email: tefoster@centurylink.net Comments on the Bozeman Community Plan draft dated November 26, 2019: I am disappointed that this draft of the 2019 Bozeman Community plan does not address sustainability goals for the community. Even though this plan has a focus on land use, I have found no other Bozeman planning document that adequately addresses community environmental sustainability. The following are the only “Sustainability” items I found in this plan document: EPO-3.8 In coordination with the sustainability division, provide public education on energy conservation and diversified power generation alternatives. EPO-3.9 Integrate climate change considerations in development standards. EPO-4.2 Update regulations that protect the environment. I feel that the following items need to be considered for inclusion into this plan document. 1) Support renewable energy utilization in Bozeman • Encourage the use of renewable energy in residential, commercial and public buildings. • Revise building codes to include requirements associated with renewable energy alternatives for heating and electrical systems. • Encourage use of renewable energy sources in the permitting process. • Consider incentives, such as: fee adjustments or tax deductions for the inclusion of renewable energy systems in the designs. • Consider the upgrade of all public building to include renewable energy systems and insure that all new public buildings have provisions for or include renewable energy systems. • Promote renewable energy through public education and events. 2) Strengthen the promotion of energy efficiency in residential, commercial and public buildings. • Consider revisions to the residential and commercial building codes to increase minimum requirements for insulation and HVAC energy efficiency. • Insure that all public buildings are built or upgraded to higher energy efficiency standards. 3) Promote energy efficient transportation • Consider the addition or replacement of public transportation (eg. Streamline buses) with hybrid or all electric equivalents. • Add requirements or inducements for school bus contractors to utilize hybrid or all electric equivalent buses. • Add E-vehicle charging stations to all public parking facilities and public buildings. • Encourage the addition of E-vehicle charging stations in commercial building parking. • Consider revisions to the commercial building codes to include E-vehicle charging stations to their parking requirements. 4) Demonstrate city leadership in sustainability by addressing energy efficiency and renewable energy in city buildings and city vehicles. I hope that these sustainability items can be considered in this plan document. Sustainability needs to be considered important to Bozeman’s future planning. I have seen examples of these items being addressed in other progressive cities. Now is the time for forward thinking in Bozeman’s planning. Tom Foster 6928 Bristol Lane Bozeman, MT