HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-19-20 Public Comment - C. Priem & S. Betters - Application 20170 Delta Gamma group livingFrom:Cara Priem
To:Tom Rogers; Agenda
Subject:Application 20170 Delta Gamma group living
Date:Sunday, July 19, 2020 1:56:29 PM
Bozeman Community Development
attention: Chris Saunders,
We are neighbors of the proposed Delta Gamma parking lot at 418 W. Garfield. Our address is
1209 S 3rd and the back of our house abuts the proposed parking lot on 4th. We would like tomake several considerations and suggestions before this plan is approved:
Neighborhood considerations:
The parking lot plan is for 22 off street parking spaces. In addition to these spaces theDG residents are entitled to at least 24 on street permits through the city Parking
department. Because of the number of sororities and fraternities in the area, on streetparking is already congested leaving minimal parking for residents. The parking lot
along with the 24 potential spaces is introducing the potential of 46 additional vehiclesentering and exiting around the Delta Gamma house daily. We are in a neighborhood
not a commercial district.
We are requesting that the parking lot be reduced in size if the 24 on street parking
spaces are going to be pursued.
The current plan shows 4 lighting fixtures, 16' tall on the corners of the parking lot. Our
concern is the amount of light pollution from these 4 lights that will be on continuouslybetween sunset and sunrise. The parking lot area is already surrounded by 4 street lights,
1 street light type light attached to the SE corner of the building and 3 lights attached tothe building. All these lights are on throughout the night providing security.
We are requesting that the number of lights be reduced from 4 to 2, reduced in height,be motion activated, and the fixture type be reconsidered. During the winter months
when snow is continuously on the ground, the light will be reflecting off the site whichgoes against the Bozeman Guidelines on Historic Preservation of the Neighborhood
Conservation Overlay District Section L #1.
The Project Narrative letter dated 5/20/20 mentions the potential for a future single
family infill project on the open space. The plan shows the open space size to be 1620sq ft which is less than the minimum required lot size of 4000 sq ft as specified by the
city.
We are requesting that this open space not be eligible for a single family space based
on the non compliant size.
Sustain ability considerations:
The MSU sustainability office is discouraging every student from having a car yet the
DG sorority is not supporting this directive by providing this parking lot. The number ofparking spaces should be reduced to abide by this guideline and discourage the on street
parking.
There is bicycle parking identified, it should be a covered space to encourage the use of
alternative transportation.
The Streamline bus has 1 stop for 2 different lines within 3 blocks of the DG house. The
Streamline hub at the Strand Union Building is also within 3 blocks of the house whereall the routes stop. Streamline is funded through the student fees and is free so the DG's
can get around town without needing a car.
The MSU campus is within 2 blocks of the DG house and a car is not needed to get to
classes.
Noncompliance with The Bozeman Guidelines for Historic Preservation and the
Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District considerations:
This guideline is in place to “stimulate the restoration and rehabilitation of structures
and all other elements contributing to the character and fabric of established residentialneighborhoods and commercial or industrial areas.” This parking lot does not contribute
to the character and fabric of the neighborhood.
Section J of the guideline says parking should be at the rear of the building and
minimize the visual impact of surface parking in residential areas. This parking lot is notat the rear of the building and is quite visual from the street especially when the lights
are on all night long and in the winter when there are no leaves on the landscaping.
Section J of the guideline says to consider ribbon paving in residential neighborhoods to
minimize the amount of hard surface paving. The current parking lot plan has at least4000 sq ft of hard surface paving which is significant especially in the summer time
when it will absorb heat and radiate it later at night.
For all the above reasons we oppose the current plan and would like to see the parking lotreduced in size and the photo-metric plan be modified.
Thank you for your consideration,
Cara Priem & Steve Betters
1209 S 3rd