HomeMy WebLinkAbout6-4-2020 Public Comment - R. Wenger - Zoning for Blackwood Groves SubdivisionFrom:Ross Wenger
To:Chris Mehl; Cyndy Andrus; I-Ho Pomeroy; Terry Cunningham; Michael Wallner; Agenda
Subject:Blackwood Groves Zoning
Date:Thursday, June 4, 2020 1:41:58 PM
Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Commissioners
City Commission
121 North Rouse Ave
Bozeman, MT 59715
Dear Mayor, Deputy Mayor and City Commissioners:
We are long-time residents of Bozeman currently residing at 3217
Hidden Springs Lane. We are writing with respect to the zoning map
amendment for the proposed Blackwood Groves Subdivision. Although we
are not opposed to the property being annexed into the City of
Bozeman, we are adamantly opposed to the zoning designation being
requested by the developer of Blackwood Groves Subdivision.
It is our understanding that the developer of the proposed Blackwood
Groves Subdivision has applied for annexation of the property to the
City of Bozeman and for a zoning map amendment requesting that the
property, which is currently zoned within the county as Agricultural
Suburban (AS), to be zoned as Residential Emphasis Mixed Use (REMU).
Pursuant to the 2005 Gallatin County/Bozeman Area Plan, the Southeast
Quadrant of the City of Bozeman lying east of 19th Avenue and south of
Main Street contains a mix of residential and agricultural uses with
any future development to be consistent with the adjacent land uses.
The adjacent land uses of the proposed Blackwood Groves Subdivision
are residential in nature and, more specifically, are zoned
Residential Moderate Density (R-2) and Residential Medium Density
(R-3).
According to the City of Bozeman Zoning Districts and Land Uses, the
REMU Designation is a “Commercial District.” Furthermore, the Gallatin
County/Bozeman Area Plan states “commercial uses were suggested in the
Bozeman Trail and I-90 intersection. Kagy, Patterson and Fort Ellis
were identified as collector streets.” The proposed Blackwood Groves
Subdivision is located 6.6 miles west of Bozeman Trail and the I-90
intersection.
In 2004, we purchased our first home in the Alder Creek Subdivision
and in 2015 constructed and moved into our second home also located
Alder Creek Subdivision. We purchased both homes in the Southeast
Quadrant with the understanding that the neighborhood was going to
remain residential in nature, with any future developments being
consistent with the adjacent land uses, and any future commercial
development taking place more than 6 miles east of the proposed
Blackwood Groves Subdivision.
With respect to REMU as a zoning designation, the uses permitted under
REMU, whether allowed or requiring a special use permit, are extremely
diverse and includes many uses that are not compatible with the
historic and existing adjacent land uses, the surrounding residential
neighborhoods, and the adjacent middle school. Furthermore, zoning the
proposed Blackwood Groves Subdivision as REMU indirectly conflicts
with the 2005 Gallatin County/Bozeman Area Plan that many homeownersin Bozeman, including ourselves, relied upon when making the choice orwhere to live and raise our families within the City of Bozeman.
In conclusion, we would like to see a zoning designation for theproposed Blackwood Groves Subdivision that is consistent with thezoning of the adjacent land uses which are Residential ModerateDensity (R-2) and Residential Medium Density (R-3), and ask that youplease vote against zoning the proposed Blackwood Groves Subdivisionas REMU. Lastly, we are also opposed to the Future Land Use Mapchanges proposed for the “Industrial” and “Community Commercial”designations in the Southeast and Southwest Quadrants.
Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Ross Wenger and Family