HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-09-20 Public Comment - J. Boyer - Community Development - Future Land Use PlanFrom:Jennifer Boyer
To:Agenda; Chris Saunders; Tom Rogers
Subject:Community Development - Future Land Use Plan
Date:Friday, October 9, 2020 8:57:19 AM
Dear Bozeman Commission and Planning Staff,
Thank you for the work and public outreach put forth developing the Community Plan and
Future Land Use Map. It is a large, important project and I am happy to see it move forward even during the disruptive time of a pandemic. I have attended early community outreach
efforts and the opportunities for engagement have been meaningful, thank you.
I have a few comments to share as you move forward:
The themes structuring the plan are reflective of community values and will serve the community well over the next 20 years. They also connect well with other plans -
including the Climate Plan, Triangle Community Plan and others. I support these themes and believe they are key organizing principles to structure the goals and actions under.
Well Done.I believe the future land use map is generally TOO big and sets the community up for
sprawl, this is inconsistent with the themes in the plan.The area seems to grow equally in all directions and yet we know land is not the
same in all directions - some land (i.e. to the West) can link to infrastructure easily, some (to the north and south foothills) is important wildlife and agriculture
habitat. The current map even includes areas where service would not be extended, so it is
confusing to understand how that would be part of the city if the services were not there.
I believe that a tighter growth boundary would help achieve the goals of the plan better than growing out in all directions.
I am concerned that the default “urban neighborhood” category will create sprawling subdivisions and less density and limited opportunity for open space,
small agriculture and natural ecological functions to thrive close to the city.I am concerned that the pattern will inevitably find Bozeman connecting with
Belgrade and not maintaining distinct communities with space in between - a value identified in the Triangle Community Plan.
There are some areas - like North of Frontage and West of Bridger - that extend beyond what feels like the natural containment of the city. I also believe that east
of sourdough and south of Kagy are in a similar situation. These areas are the buffers of the city and offer transition and entrance into the city, this is important
to maintain rather than just filling up the area from downtown to the mountains.
Many of these concerns were voiced at the recent commission meeting and while I did not
attend that meeting the issues highlighted in the Chronicle article align with my comments. I would be happy to discuss / add more specificity if helpful.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Boyer
property owners @ 10281 & 10285 Kelly Canyon Rd and 614 West Lamme St.
Jennifer Boyerboyerfarm51@gmail.com
406-539-3006