HomeMy WebLinkAbout5-1-2020 - Public Comment - R. Brey - Bridger View Redevelopment Applications 19646 and 19466From:Ron Brey
To:Agenda
Subject:Bridger View Redevelopment applications 19464 and 19466
Date:Friday, May 1, 2020 12:41:23 PM
May 1, 2020
Re: Bridger View Redevelopment, applications 19464 and 19466
Attn: Tom Rogers
The Bridger View Redevelopment Subdivision proposal coming before the Planning Board
and City Commission represents an opportunity for the City of Bozeman to reestablish
some of the affordable housing lost on this site when the Bridger View Mobile Home Park
was closed down, resulting in the loss of 92 trailers housing up to 150 individuals. The
proposal before you will create a beautiful neighborhood providing both market rate and
workforce housing.
In order to create this neighborhood, certain relaxations are necessary under Bozeman’s
PUD provisions. One of the most important of these relaxations is number 8, a relaxation
to Section 38.400.050, Street and road right-of-way width and construction standards.
Many communities around the country have adopted narrow street standards for residential
neighborhood streets. Studies have shown that they are safer for drivers, pedestrians and
cyclists due to the reduced speeds resulting from drivers’ comfort levels. They also provide
for beautiful streetscapes as mature trees begin to canopy the street. Perhaps most
importantly, they provide for additional neighborhood activity areas. I would hope that
Bozeman would follow the lead of other communities in adopting such standards rather
than solely considering them through the PUD process. Nonetheless, this relaxation
request should be approved for this attractive development.
In addition, I would ask that the City accept these narrow streets as dedicated public streets
and maintain them in the same fashion as other dedicated streets in the community.
Because there is a workforce housing component in this proposal, the perpetuation of
affordability is a challenge that must be met to accomplish this highest ranking community
objective. To require the HOA to cover maintenance costs for private streets puts in place
a mechanism that increases the ownership expense of these homes. While the developer
has created an initial pricing structure and long-term operating budget for the HOA that
adequately provides for maintenance, removing this burden from the HOA would result in
homes that are more affordable to both the first buyer and buyers in perpetuity.
There is precedent for the City to accept narrow streets. Fieldstone Drive in Westfield
Subdivision is a narrow street accepted by the City without any intention of assisting in the
provision or perpetuation of affordable or workforce housing.
In sum, I would ask the City to consider the development of narrow street standards where
appropriate and reap the benefits as other communities have already done. With specific
reference to this PUD proposal, I would encourage the City to approve the street design
AND, to assist in the perpetuation of the affordability of the workforce housing, accept these
streets as dedicated right-of way and maintain them just as other dedicated city streets
including Fieldstone Drive.
Thank you for your generous service to our community.
Ron Brey
1106 S. 3rd Avenue
Bozeman, MT 59715