HomeMy WebLinkAbout5-24-2020 Public Comment - D. Heap - ICON ApartmentsDavid Heap
282 Pine Creek Drive
Bozeman, MT 59718
406-589-4479
davidheap56@gmail.com
May 23, 2020
City of Bozeman Department of Community Development
ATTN: Jacob Miller
Bozeman, MT 59771-1230
To whom it may concern;
I’m writing this letter with regard to the development plan of the Icon Apartments at Ferguson
Farm SP Phase A (SP Application: 18135 and MSP Application: 17542).
The overall plan includes 348 apartments located at 4555 Fallon Street. Recognizing the city is
looking to see that affordable housing is available to the citizens of Bozeman; I understand the
need for apartments, townhouses, condominiums, etc. But the concern I have is with the impact
this new development will have on the traffic in this soon to be congested, residential area.
The city has in place Planning Boards that should be looking at long term analysis of future
needs arising from growth. All of the streets associated with this development are two lane roads.
If every apartment has one car, it will mean that 348 additional vehicles will be on the two lane
roads of Fallon, Resort and Babcock. None of these roads are designed to move that much
traffic during the busy times of the day.
If Bozeman is going to continue to look at high density housing, perhaps they should locate these
developments closer to arterial roadways. Cottonwood certainly counts as such a road as it
moves traffic to the south toward Huffine. However, to the north the traffic is funneled down to
two lanes when in intersects Durston. If Baxter, Durston, Oak and Babcock were intended to be
arterial roadways they lose that ability because they are two lane and due to the number of
educational facilities constructed along them. Planning to move another 348 cars along these
already highly traveled, two lane roads is short sighted to say the least.
In the future perhaps the “planning boards” should look at the long term plan for the growth of
Bozeman. They should look to establish arterial roadways before the growth occurs, not after.
Looking at the current roadways in the city and surrounding areas, which are capable to “move”
traffic? Every east/west route with the exception of Main, Babcock and Mendenhall are two
lane roads (with brief expansions to four lanes ie. Oak Street). They are not designed to move
heavy traffic.
In short, I recognize the community of Bozeman is going to continue to grow. People will
continue to move to this beautiful place. But we have to PLAN for that growth in advance of it
occurring. I’m fearful the purposed plan for the Icon Apartments will continue to add to the
congestion and make driving in the area, where it will be built, a nightmare. What are the city
and developer’s plans for meeting this challenge?
Sincerely yours,
David Heap