HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-07-20 Public Comment - R. Houston - Comment on development of Idaho Pole land off L streetFrom:Robin Houston
To:Agenda
Subject:Comment on development of Idaho Pole land off L street
Date:Wednesday, October 7, 2020 11:19:00 AM
To City Planning Board,
I am a resident of the story hills, and clearly development along L street will have some impact on the area. I have
attended meetings on the status of the super-fund site, and appreciate the hard work and collaboration to ensure that
this site is safe. I also realize that there are remaining concerns about the stability of the toxic plume in the face of
future development. I understand the city has voted to treat this are as a blighted area in order to facilitate
development.
My concern is use of public funds to facilitate development. Bozeman has some of the fastest growth in the nation,
neverless the state. Clearly there is no need for any stimulus for development—developers, even in covid times—
are doing quite well, thank you. Hence, it makes no sense to use tax payer dollars to subsidize development—even
in a ‘blighted’ area. If developers can’t currently profit from development of this former superfund site and adjacent
areas now, they can certainly wait until all superfund issues are resolved, and develop their business models then.
If anything, Bozeman is growing too fast. Such rapid growth stresses our government oversight and potentially sets
a path for growth that could include a number of negative impacts, including our loss of sense of community. There
is no immediacy to development along L-street, no rationale for accelerating development there in light of its past
superfund history, and certainly no justification for use of any public funds to ‘encourage’ development.
Please take these comments into consideration in future deliberations.
Sincerely,
Robin Houston MD MPH
PLEASE NOTE NEW CONTACT INFO
Robin Houston
houston.robin@gmail.com
Mobile: 406-580-7350