HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-09-20 Public Comment - J & J Jelinski - comment on community plan updateFrom:Jack and Jane Jelinski
To:Agenda
Subject:comment on community plan update
Date:Monday, November 9, 2020 4:14:50 PM
To: Mayor Cyndy Andrus
Bozeman City Commissioners
City Manager Jim Mihelich
Senior Planner Tom Rogers
Community Development Specialist Chris Saunders
Fr: Jack and Jane Jelinski
Date: October 1, 2020
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Draft Community Plan before it is adopted. We
live in the neighborhoods surrounding the community core and our quality of life will be affected by
the actions of the city commission. We offer these considerations about the plan and the explosive
development we are experiencing.
On page 41, Future Land Use, we agree with this policy goal: “Community development oriented on
centers of employment and activity shorten travel distances and encourage multi-modal
transportation, increase business synergies, and permit greater efficiencies in the delivery of public
services.”
An excellent example of this is the existing Medical Arts Center located between N. Tracy and N.
Wilson. There are about 30 different businesses in the building, employing approximately 250
people. These jobs are professional level jobs, many provide medical services, surgery, laboratory,
and physical therapy. There is a Veterans Clinic in the facility serving our veterans. There were two
parking lots serving the needs of patients and employees. The building is located 3 blocks from Main
Street. As it exists now, the facility fulfills the goals stated on page 41 of the Future Land Use
Planning Board Draft.
Unfortunately, the City Commission changed the zoning of the N Wilson parking lot from R-5 to B-3 a
year ago, in spite of the overwhelming protests of the surrounding neighbors. The unintended
consequence of this action is that the 30 businesses and 250 employees must relocate, and
significant parking problems were created for those who use the building. The important goal of the
Community Plan, which has been realized here for decades is now being undone. Where they will
have to relocate will most likely contribute to sprawl, will require longer commutes, and will require
residents of the nearby neighborhoods to drive to obtain services they can now walk to access. This
is the opposite of what this plan wants to avoid.
Theme 2 / A City of Neighborhoods
Importance:
We agree with the characterization of the importance of traditional neighborhoods expressed on
page 18 of the plan:
“Bozeman is indeed a city of neighborhoods. From the traditional neighborhoods north and south of
Bozeman’s downtown, to the developments of more recent times, Bozeman’s neighborhoods are as
diverse as the periods of time in which they are built . . . Neighborhoods or communities that offer a
mix of housing, needed services, and opportunities within close proximity of each other are
considered “complete communities.” They promote walking or short commutes to the things in life
we value and depend on including jobs, schools, places of worship, friends, goods and services, open
spaces, trails, appropriately scaled urban agriculture such as community gardens, and more.
Neighborhoods help improve community safety and overall community health.”
This narrative accurately describes the neighborhoods that surround the business core. So why
then, on the next page, a series of Community Actions, which would negatively affect these
neighborhoods are proposed?
N-1.2 “Increase required minimum densities in residential districts.” Sounds like reducing green
space. (page 20)
N-1.3 “Revise the zoning map to lessen areas zoned for single-type housing.” (page 20)
You describe the traditional neighborhoods rhapsodically, then propose actions to undermine their
protections of predictable zoning. Anyone who is looking to purchase a residence looks at the
zoning to provide predictable, stable uses that protect the residence from incompatible uses next
door. We do not object to reasonable infill, or ADUs. But undermining stable zoning will not
preserve or protect traditional neighborhoods.
N-1.11 “Enable a gradual and predictable increase in density in developed areas over time.” (page
20)
We are watching construction which is neither gradual, nor is it a predictable increase in density in
our neighborhoods. And there is no transition between those buildings and traditional
neighborhoods. These massive buildings will not provide affordable housing for Bozeman’s
workforce. They are demolishing modest cost housing and denying our workforce the opportunity
to live in the lovely communities you describe in “A City of Neighborhoods.”
We respectfully request that you amend this plan to protect the neighborhoods you declare are
important and that “help improve community safety and overall community health.” (page 20)
We appreciate the time and effort that has gone into this draft plan, but we suggest that the 24
references to increasing density overlooks how that singular focus will negatively impact the
traditional neighborhoods and the value these neighborhoods contribute to the character of all of
Bozeman.
Respectfully submitted,
Jack and Jane Jelinski
433 N Tracy Avenue
Bozeman, MT 59715