HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-24-20 Public Comment - B. Simkins - Idaho Pole URDFrom:Brodey Simkins
To:Agenda
Subject:Idaho Pole URD
Date:Tuesday, November 24, 2020 1:13:11 PM
Attachments:image001.png
Dear Bozeman City Commissioners and Planning Department,
There is an important discussion taking place amongst a wide range of people regarding the
proposed URD of the Pole Yard and greater Northeast Bozeman region. I have heard from business
owners in the area, residents, and developers regarding the URD that impacts the proposed district.
One thing that they have all shared a major concern about is the timing and lack of transparency at
which this proposal has moved. I am shocked that the first I had heard about such a significant
change was on August 20th when I heard from David Fine in the Bozeman Planning department. We
in the Simkins companies own a large share of the proposed URD property. Not only are we
significant land owners and pay a large amount in taxes every year but employ over 150 good paying
jobs in Bozeman. I am not reminding you of our stature in this community to exude arrogance or
assert any other unbecoming trait. I am informing you to be clear that I am quite disappointed that
the conversation about a URD on our property was clandestinely taking place without us being
engaged on the subject.
It is the utmost responsibility of city officials to look out for the economic and sociological well being
of its residents. I emphasize that economic impacts on businesses who are presently operating in
the proposed URD will be very negative. We will not be able to efficiently operate in our trucking,
loading, and unloading if urban density takes place near or on the Pole Yard site. Consequently, we
will have economic short comings in our business as a result. That will be a direct contradiction to
what is expected from Bozeman’s planning department and city commissioners. The URD will
essentially take our company’s tax money and use it for city and/or state funded projects that
unequivocally disrupt our daily business operations.
The city of Bozeman and its planning department face an incredibly demanding task to facilitate
healthy growth in an exponentially expanding community. I sympathize with everyone involved in
keeping Bozeman on a responsible growth track moving forward. Our Northeast area near the
railroad is a major hub for industrial activity. It happens to be a location that is becoming a massive
target for future development as the community evolves with the times. Highest and best use is
mixed residential and commercial development, which does not play well with industrial uses, hence
the reason we have zoning designations. Somewhere in this temperamental discussion needs to be
some comprehensive thinking about where industry in Bozeman shall live for the longer term
future. That discussion is what is being missed in my estimation in regards to what I have heard so
far in the Pole Yard URD roll out. It would be my recommendation to take a few steps back and
begin assembling a coalition of well-placed individuals to tackle what will be one of Bozeman’s
largest growing pains. I kindly ask that the city commission consider putting the URD on hold for a
while and start a fresher discussion that figures out Bozeman’s industrial and rail road home for the
longer term future.
Sincerely,
Brodey Simkins
Brodey Simkins
Vice President