HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-27-20 Public Comment - S. Held- Idaho Pole URDFrom:Suzanne Held
To:Agenda
Cc:Chandler Dayton; reno walsh; Amy Mountain Ference; Amy Kelley Hoitsma; Cathy Costakis; Jane Jelinski; Dani
Hess; Karen Filipovich
Subject:Idaho Pole URD
Date:Tuesday, October 27, 2020 8:51:57 AM
Good morning:
I am writing to encourage the commission to vote no on the Idaho Pole URD.
I live in the Northeast Neighborhood and have a PhD in public health and teach and do research at
MSU. My public health training and information from documents related to the URD urges me to
encourage a no vote for multiple reasons:
We do not have enough information about the safety of this site for development vis-à-vis its
contaminated state. There are treated soils and an area of contaminated groundwater on the
site.
Recently, you voted to approve the creation of the Front Street pedestrian-only trail, which
directly conflicts with the City Engineer’s listing of this street as a local street.
We currently have a NE Urban Renewal Board of residents that oversees this district and has
the views and priorities of citizens. They provide information in our NENA meetings and
gather input on the district to help with planning and decision-making. It is my understanding
that the board for the Idaho Pole URD is made up of city staff. This is confusing to me and as
we encourage and discuss the importance of citizen involvement, this seems to be the wrong
direction to be moving in.
Finally, there is documentation from EPA that the site is currently leaching contaminants to
the groundwater above acceptable risk standards. This in itself should stop the process until
we can take time to better understand the ramifications of development of this site.
Additionally, and of great importance, is that the Gallatin Health Board “raised concerns that not
enough is known about the potential hazards at the site” (Bozeman Chronicle article from
September 29, 2020). The individuals on the board have the expertise to make this kind of judgment
and are on the board to provide unbiased information like this to the city and its citizens. We should
listen to them.
There is no hurry to vote yes on this URD. I urge you to vote no. We have time to slow down and
assess the hazards and come up with a plan that will prioritize the health of the community.
Thank you for taking my comment. I am teaching this evening and not able to attend the meeting.
With my best, Suzanne Held, 313 N. Grand Ave, 406-223-6321