HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-03-2020 Public Comment - M. McCune - Parking Benefit DistricstsFrom: Matt McCune
To: Agenda
Subject: Parking District
Date: Tuesday, March 3, 2020 2:05:15 PM
Dear Mayor and Commissioners,
I attended last nights meeting. This was my first in quite a while. I refrained from public
comment because it is in fact intimidating and being that I was already running on fumes, the
idea of prolonging the meeting was not appealing to me. Here are my thoughts and comments
in no particular order. I do not need a response to this email. Just throwing my current
opinions on the table for consideration.
1. I learned about the parking district because a neighbor and friend (who is rather vocal about
topics like this) was very active in spreading the word. I did not initially read about it
anywhere else. Of course once I learned about it, I started reading the available documents. A
little part of me wishes that there was a trigger for issues that are "hot topics" that would do a
better job reaching out to the community to inform them accurately as to what is going on and
allow ample time to get up to speed and decide if weighing in is needed or not.
2. I'm curious as to how the "green line" parking management districts what actually created.
As I study the map, I find it surprising that the "Wild Crumb"/"Treeline" area is not included
as I could see this as a pain point where residents might benefit. I have yet to think through
how this could or would impact my business on North Church in that area.
3. We all must be very careful when referring to the "District" and to a "Zone". It seems to me
that there are a lot of people that have yet to pick up on the fact that they are different things.
The terminology is important and the consistent use of these words is important.
4. I read "The Pseudoscience of Parking Requirement" by Donald Shoup and while I don't feel
that this is a perfect article and science, I do feel that it adds some very interesting perspective
on parking that I also believe most of the folks in the room last night don't have. I'm sure
you've all read this article and more. Do we want a driving community or a
walking/biking/public transport community?
5. The hotel with 140rooms and all of it's parking 1000ft away.......will they have a shuttle van
or valet service? If so, I see no issue with this. Seems just fine. If not.....seems silly.
6. I was very happy to see Commissioner Cunninghams amendment. Having a process and
community involvement on how a "Zone" is created is absolutely key and in my mind, could
take the wind out of most peoples sails when they get all worked up over this issue. In an ideal
world, this amendment would have been a little more thought out before passing it. But I also
realize that this is a starting spot and that in and of itself can be better than not moving
forward.
7.How small can a zone be? Can it be one block on one street? Or is there another
minimum size requirement to have it make sense? I suspect that most people have fear of
being included in a zone when they don't feel that they have a problem.
8. Similar to point 7. I suspect that a zone could benefit people in certain areas and I'm betting
that they will want this and it will help them and others in other areas will not be helped by it.
This makes me wonder if some of the more vocal folks really understand how this is going to
unfold.
9. It was mentioned that there were cost increases over time for the university zone. $10, then
$20, then $35......I wonder what has caused these cost increases. Cost increases over time that
are not understood concern me. This is the business side of me.
10. I loved the Mayor's idea of keeping the enforcement/ticket revenue and the market rate
pass revenue inside of the closed system of the specific district. This will enable further
investment in the district with if you recall was one of the key takeaways from Shoup's article.
11. The City Manager and the Mayor did a great job at managing the crowd and despite the
fact that they were acting a little like children, you all stayed very calm and plowed through.
Super Pro and good job.
12. I believe that you all are doing a good job at listening to the community and are not
"cooking up drug deals". Yall know where I got that from. I have no data to prove this but it's
my hunch from reading you. I think you all care and want to make this place better and for that
I thank you all.
13. Going into the meeting, I was not sure if I was for or against the parking district. That's
where I am still. I'm not all worked up that the district ordinance passed as I don't see it as that
big of a deal now that I understand it better. I look forward to reviewing the details on how the
zones work and hope that this does not turn into a runaway and continually increasing
expense. Lot's of good points were made last night by the public and lots of bad points were
made. I've lost respect for a few members of the community as it seems that they don't have
the ability to think very deep on a particular topic and don't feel that they all understand the
complexities of this issue. I believe a win win is possible here.
14. I thought it was kind of funny when that dude jabbed Commissioner Wallner for parking
in front of his house and then the commissioner voted NO. I'd like to see that guy apologize to
the commissioner. That would be fun.
Sorry for so many points. They really added up. Long story short. I think you guys did a good
job last night and I thank you for your efforts in this community.
Matt McCune
212 N. Church
406-579-7906
--
Matt McCune
AUTOPILOT INC.
619 North Church Ave.
Unit #2
Bozeman MT 59715
(P)406-585-5311
(F)406-585-3087
matt@autopilotdesign.com
www.autopilotdesign.com
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