HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-13-20 Public Comment - S. Riggs - Community PlanFrom:Tom RogersTo:AgendaSubject:FW: community plan public commentDate:Monday, July 13, 2020 11:04:04 AMAttachments:2020-07-13 groundprint public comment growth policy.pdf
Please add the following comment to the Growth Policy comment file.
Thank you,
Tom
From: Susan Riggs <sriggs@groundprint.com> Sent: Monday, July 13, 2020 11:00 AM
To: Chris Saunders <csaunders@BOZEMAN.NET>; Tom Rogers <TRogers@BOZEMAN.NET>Subject: community plan public comment Hi Chris & Tom: Please see the attached letter for the Planning Board's review of the Community Plan. Thank you!
Susan Riggs, AICPhttp://secure-web.cisco.com/1mWNvCkFWUcpZGuBA4vLp2PHm6IZ8iRl7XosacLRrYQeCZUXIWhOLxVGNvqFxIDOOuJ6hBmVPPv6vMrmNNrtFzpIz-IVI0bf36RwggilmW9mon5rXwI6CqmYoh3aEC7805v5w9lp8ERVDVEXkw0v_LjueLmPXaDdoGAulEFE3YoK8FM3tu6d0RdtJz1HPIg31r5zJNUm_rVXsz8CvUT2TquM7d2Rm3zkNH6S4nkd03j9_ZGfoBsJJVJfJKxW6-5GsM_dGEC69UD0DnieqUn80zbKuiiWChFpkwp1CZPw3oWWvZAAgczF057JamUEnlMFAetSSRQF4M_-sapyEApb08Q/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.groundprint.com406.579.5844
July 13, 2020
Bozeman Planning Board
c/o Community Development Department
via email trogers@bozeman.net & csaunders@bozeman.net
RE: Bozeman Community Plan Final Draft
Please consider the following comments and suggestions regarding the Planning Board 7/21/20 draft of
the Bozeman Community Plan.
1. Page 42 maintains the following language for the “Residential Mixed Use” Designation –
“Residences should be included on the upper floors of buildings with ground floor commercial
uses.” This language resulted in a confusing discussion during the City Commission review of the
Bridger View Growth Policy Map Amendment. Reword for clarity “If buildings include ground
floor commercial uses, residences should be located upper floors.”
2. Bozeman has long awaited a proper definition for infill. Page F-2 provides the following
language: “Infill. The development or redevelopment of vacant, abandoned, or under-utilized
properties within developed areas of the City, and where water, sewer, streets, and fire
protection have already been developed and are provided. Infill is located within land
subdivided for at least 35 years.” How was 35 years selected for the definition?
3. Page F-2 – Definition of Neighborhood – while Moskowitz’ “Illustrated Book of Development
Definitions” often proves to be very useful, his definition of “Neighborhood” appears to be a
remnant of a past era: “Neighborhood. An area of Bozeman with characteristics that
distinguish it from other areas and that may include distinct economic characteristics, housing
types, schools, or boundaries defined by physical barriers, such as major highways and
railroads or natural features, such as watercourses or ridges. A neighborhood is often
characterized by residents sharing a common identity focused around a school, park, business
center, or other feature. As a distinct and identifiable area, often with its own name,
neighborhoods are recognized as fostering community spirit and a sense of place, factors
recognized as important in community planning.”
This definition should be further modified to better coordinate with the other goals and themes
within the plan such supporting missing middle housing, mixed use and mixed-income
neighborhoods: “Our City desires to be diverse and inclusive, defined by our vibrant
neighborhoods, quality housing, walkability, excellent schools, numerous parks and trails, and
thriving areas of commerce. Phrases like “distinct economic characteristics, “distinct… housing
types” and “residents sharing a common identity” don’t promote inclusion and diversity within
neighborhoods.
This definition needs to be modernized. This is an issue that deserves more thought and
collaboration but here is some sample language: “Neighborhood. A walkable area of Bozeman
with a distinct character that may have some boundaries defined by physical barriers, such as
major roads or railroads or by natural features, such as watercourses or topography. A
neighborhood includes both geographic (place-oriented) and social (people-oriented)
components and is often characterized by residents sharing common amenities such as an
elementary school, a park, shops, a community center or other similar elements. As a distinct
and identifiable area, often with its own name, neighborhoods are recognized as fostering
community spirit and a sense of place, factors recognized as important in community
planning.”
Thank you for all your time and hard work on this important Community Plan and for the opportunity to
participate.
Sincerely,
Susan Riggs, AICP