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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-19-20 Public Comment - M & T Lonner - Public Comments Draft 2019 Update to the 2009 Community PlanFrom:Martha Lonner To:Agenda Cc:Nancy Hildner; Courtney@gregformontana.com Subject:Public Comments Draft 2019 Update to the 2009 Community Plan Date:Monday, October 19, 2020 4:55:08 PM Attachments:Lonner Letter to Bozeman City Commision 10-19-2020.pdf Attention Bozeman City Commissioner’s Attached you will find a letter with comments from my husband, Terry Lonner and myself, Martha Lonner, about the up coming hearing about the Draft 2019 Update to the 2009 Community Plan. If you have any questions or concerns please give us a call at 406-539-9065. That you for considering our comments. Martha Lonner and Terry Lonner3602 Good Medicine WayBozeman, MT 59715406-539-9065marthalonner@gmail.com Lonner 3602 Good Medicine Way • Bozeman, MT 59715 • (c) 406-539-9065 • tlonner@gmail.com • marthalonner@gmail.com Public Comments Draft 2019 Update to the 2009 Community Plan October 19, 2020 To Bozeman City Commissioners: Mayor Cyndy Andrus, Commissioner Terry Cunningham, Commissioner I-Ho Pomeroy, Commissioner Michael Wallner and Commissioner Jennifer Madgic We, Terry and Martha Lonner, have been residents of Bozeman, MT for the last 50 years. Forty-seven of the those years we have lived at 3602 Good Medicine Way. We live in a well established family neighborhood that is envied by many. Homes for sale are not on the market long. “We have experienced the expanding development of South Bozeman” and have remained active in trying to maintain the quality of development around us. Most of you Commissioners were not around beginning in the 1990s when our neighborhood fought to maintain the integrity of several developments in this area. We both were founding members and/or Officers of Citizens to Save Open Space (SOS) which later became Friends of Regional Parks (For Parks), a 501c3 organization which strongly influenced the formation of the Open Space Task Force formed by the County Commission. This task force evolved into the Open Lands Board and Terry was a charter member on both the Open Space Task Force and the Open Lands Board. The For Parks organization was vigorously involved with the passing of the First & Second Open Space Bonds. Needless to say we dedicated thousands of volunteer hours in promoting good development as well as Saving Open Space. We do not live in the City of Bozeman so we only recently found out indirectly about this designated land use change in a rural area south of Bozeman not yet annexed into the City. Because of the limited amount of time for getting this letter submitted, we haven’t been able to get a full clarified definition of “Industrial” and “Urban neighborhood” land use designations. Believe us, we have reason for concern involving the details when you designate the use of a plot of land. As you know, there are many things that have to be considered and lots of misinterpretations that end up in law suites. We have learned the hard way! We are requesting a complete and accurate definition of the proposed usage allowed in both the “Industrial” and “Urban neighborhood” plus any others involved within this area for land use classifications. Today we are writing to ask that a proposed 120-acre “Industrial” land use parcel in South Bozeman, which is currently designated as “Residential” land use remain “Residential”. It is definitely not suitable for “Industrial” use and we are not even sure that it should be re-designated as “Urban Neighborhood”. Our recommendation is that it remain “Residential” on the Draft 2019 Future Land Use Map. If you explicitly list what “Industrial” and “Urban neighborhood” means to the public and only if we are agreeable to your findings we would consider your recommendation. “The Devil is in the Details.” We agree with most the concerns and recommendations listed on the following page taken from a form letter to submit with a few additions in red. Page 1 of 2 For more than 10 years, the city’s future land use map has designated the presumptive land use for most of the farmland in South Bozeman as “Residential.” The proposed 2019 Draft of the Future Land Use Map will convert 120 acres of undeveloped land from “Residential” land use to “Industrial” land use. For the following reasons, the proposed “Industrial Land Use” is incompatible with both the current Community Plan and the proposed draft 2019 community plan. Incompatible with Recent Land Use Decisions: In June, the land use for an adjacent 120 acres was changed to Residential Mixed Use and annexed with Residential Emphasis Mixed Use (REMU) Zoning. The planned REMU development was approved in part because the businesses associated with REMU development will benefit and serve surrounding neighborhoods. In turn, the businesses themselves will depend on customers from nearby residential neighborhoods. Does it really make sense to propose industrial land next to a recently 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 the community plan seeks walkable neighborhoods, shouldn’t we put residential land near our middle schools? Breaks Neighborhood Connections: The proposed industrial parcel is in the heart of 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 by industrial 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 Creek Subdivision and also flows through another parcel, adjacent to Sacajawea Middle School, that has been designated as park land under a private covenant put in place by the land developer. Do we really want to invite children to play in a stream that drains industrial lands? Risks Children’s Safety, Reduces Neighborhood Livability and Property Values: South 11th Ave is an arterial stream that will the industrial land will use. Locating industrial land on South 11th Ave will route industrial traffic through existing residential neighborhoods, across future walking routes to Sacajawea Middle School, along the Alder Creek Park/Playground, and along the planned park behind Sacajawea Middle School. Do we really want to draw industrial traffic through the heart South Bozeman Neighborhoods and adjacent to designated playgrounds and parks? We ask that the slated industrial land in South Bozeman remain “Residential” on the 2019 Draft Future Land Use Map for the following reasons: • To maintain continuity of neighborhood growth planning • To support the future businesses on REMU designated land in South Bozeman • To clarify definition & usage within “Industrial” & “Urban neighborhood” land designations • To consider the limited arterial use available, traveling straight into & through down town • To locate residential areas near schools • To promote walkable neighborhoods • To maintain the safety of current and planned play grounds • To protect water quality, open space and park Thank you for considering our comments. Sincerely, Terry N. Lonner Martha A. Lonner tlonner@gmail.com marthalonner@gmail.com 406-539-9065 406-539-9065 Page 2 of 2