HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-12-20 Public Comment - S. Nash - FLUM Comments on New City Planning MapFrom:steve_nash@bresnan.net
To:Agenda
Subject:Comments on New City Planning Map
Date:Monday, October 12, 2020 2:15:56 PM
Dear City Commissioners,
My name is Steve Nash. I recently read an article in the Bozeman Daily Chronicle written by Nora
Shelly about the City’s New Development Plan Map. The article suggested that the City Commission
would like to hear public comment on the New Plan Map. I live within the city limits, and I would like
to share my voice on the subject.
My family homesteaded in the Bozeman area in the 1880's, and they ranched south of town off of
Nash Road for over a hundred years. I now farm and ranch my family's land with my wife, my kids,
and my dad on the corner of Sourdough and Nash Road. My Great Aunt Kay Moore farms right next
door to us off of Nash Road. My Aunt Sarah Zimmer and her family farms off of Nash Road and off of
Kagy Blvd. My family has poured blood, sweat and tears into the ground here to make a living over
the span of six generations. I believe ranchers, like my family, have earned the right to keep
ranching, develop, or do what they want with their land in collaboration with a reasonable City Plan
that takes the hard work of these agriculture families into consideration.
Recently, I reviewed the New City Planning Map with Tom Rogers of the City's Planning Department.
I found the plan to be very good. My family likes the Urban Neighborhood designation. It makes
sense, is reasonable, and gives the farm families in the area a lot of options.
I also participated in the Planning Department's Zoom meeting on 9-30-2020. My family really
appreciated Chris Saunders and Tom Rogers’ statement that Montana has a strong history of
respecting private property rights and that Montana farmers and ranchers have worked very hard
over the generations—and they should be able to keep farming, develop, or do what they want.
Rogers and Saunders also stated that concerned citizens can collaborate with organizations like
Gallatin Valley Land Trust (GVLT) to buy conservation easements to protect land. These statements
made us feel recognized for our longstanding contributions to this community and proud to be
citizens of it.
Some suggestions made in the article, referenced above, state that there is a fire danger having an
Urban Neighborhood designation so close to the forest. I don’t think that is appropriate. There
already is a large, established family neighborhood in the foothills south of town. It is called Mystic
Heights. With Mystic Heights, a precedent has been set that development close-to or in the forest
can be safely managed for fire danger.
Comments stated in the article and at the 9-30-2020 Planning Department Zoom meeting suggest
that some citizens are concerned about the effect on wildlife migration. Good Urban
Neighborhoods can be developed with wildlife in mind according to local civil engineers. Reducing
fences, enhancing water features, and maintaining vegetation ensures healthy wildlife migration
according to the professionals.
I appreciate your consideration of the voice of the farm and ranch families in the Bozeman area.
Sincerely,
Steve Nash
Bozeman, MT 59715