HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-02-2020 Public Comment - J. Hosking - Parking Benefit DistrictsFrom: John Hosking
To: Agenda
Subject: Parking
Date: Monday, March 2, 2020 2:13:26 PM
Attn: City Commission
PO Box 1230
Bozeman, MT 59771
First Name John
Last Name Hosking
Email Address jhosking414@gmail.com
Phone Number 4065813633
Comments
In regards to the Downtown Parking District discussion ---
I am opposed to charging residents who have lived in the newly suggested "downtown parking districts" any fees for parking on the street in front of their house.
Before the infill/overfill problem created by the City Commission, there was no real problem. Now we are paying for a parking commission and the possibility of permits! All because
developers were not forced to provide sufficient parking for new buildings. Many citizens spoke up - warning of this mistake - and we were ignored. Now, whether it's permits or taxes
for new parking garages or... on and on...you are wanting the long time residents to pay for the influx.
I have lived in Bozeman for forty years. Why don't you just say that folks who have lived here for over 10 years are just not wanted. "You can't afford the new taxes and costs, so get
out." That is quickly becoming the reality. I pay the same amount in taxes on my 750sq/ft house on Davis St , as I payed monthly for my mortgage. I am paying for my house again, and
I
still have to maintain it as it ages. If I chose to sell it, I can't buy anything here that I would prefer to live in -- but this is my home town that I chose for life.
It is also true that no one in the service industry can afford to live in Bozeman. The growth is only good for the owners of businesses - not their employees - and not for those of us
who
are retired. . Do the math - Someone has to make $50 an hour and get paid vacation time to make your "mean income" of $100,000/yr. There's no real opportunity for workers.
Who's making the money? They should be paying the bill.
Don't tell me , "That's not how it works." You are the only people in a position to make it work correctly. So try to improve things - not expand the problem.