HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-06-20 Public Comment - G. Poole - Industrial Land Use in South BozemanFrom:Geoffrey Poole
To:Agenda
Subject:Industrial Land Use in South Bozeman
Date:Tuesday, October 6, 2020 1:00:48 PM
To the Bozeman City Commissioners:
I am writing to ask that a proposed 120-acre "Industrial" land use parcel inSouth Bozeman, which is currently designated as “Residential” land use, bere-designated as "Urban Neighborhood" on the Draft 2019 Future Land UseMap.
For more than 10 years, the city’s future land use map has designated thepresumptive land use for most of the farmland in South Bozeman as
"Residential." The proposed 2019 Draft of the Future Land Use Map will convert120 acres of undeveloped land from "Residential" land use to "Industrial" land
use.
For the following reasons, the proposed "Industrial Land Use" isincompatible with both the current Community Plan and the proposed draft2019 community plan.
Incompatible with Recent Land Use Decisions: In June, the land use for anadjacent 120 acres was changed to Residential Mixed Use and annexed with
Residential Emphasis Mixed Use (REMU) Zoning. The planned REMUdevelopment was approved in part because the businesses associated with REMU
development will benefit and serve surrounding neighborhoods. In turn, thebusinesses themselves will depend on customers from nearby residential
neighborhoods. Does it really make sense to propose industrial land next to arecently approved REMU development?
Reduces Opportunities for Walkable Neighborhoods: This proposed industrial
parcel of land is just a few hundred yards from Sacajawea Middle School. If thecommunity plan seeks walkable neighborhoods, shouldn’t we put residential land
near our middle schools?
Breaks Neighborhood Connections: The proposed industrial parcel is in the heartof what is to be the future South Bozeman Residential Area. Do we really want
the future neighborhoods of South Bozeman to be separated from one another byindustrial lands?
Risks Water Quality in Parks: The proposed industrial parcel is bifurcated by a
stream that subsequently runs through a park and playground in the Alder CreekSubdivision and also flows through another parcel, adjacent to Sacajawea Middle
School, that has been designated as park land under a private covenant put inplace by the land developer. Do we really want to invite children to play in a
stream that drains industrial lands?
Risks Children’s Safety and Reduces Neighborhood Livability: South 11th Aveis an arterial stream that will the industrial land use. Locating industrial land on
South 11th Ave will route industrial traffic through existing residentialneighborhoods, across future walking routes to Sacajawea Middle School, along
the Alder Creek Park/Playground, and along the planned park behind SacajaweaMiddle School. Do we really want to draw industrial traffic through the heart
South Bozeman Neighborhoods and adjacent to designated playgrounds andparks?
To maintain continuity of growth planning, to support the future businesseson REMU land in South Bozeman, to locate residential areas near schoolsand promote walkable neighborhoods, to maintain the safety of current andplanned play grounds, and to protect water quality in parks, I ask that theslated industrial land in South Bozeman be designated as "UrbanNeighborhood" on the 2019 Draft Future Land Use Map.
Thank you for considering my comments.
Sincerely,
Geoffrey PooleBozeman, MT