HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-13-21 Public Comment - W. Jennings - 208 S. 3rd RowhousesFrom: Wayne Jennings
To: Phillipe Gonzalez
Cc: Agenda
Subject: 208 South 3rd Rowhouse (No. 20-367_
Date: Thursday, January 21, 2021 2:51:12 PM
Attachments: letters to the editor.pdf
Mr. Gonzalez
My wife and I reside at 212 South Third Avenue, Bozeman, Montana, next door to the
proposed 208 South 3rd
Avenue Rowhouses (Project 20-367), which is currently under review.
We have owned and resided in our house since July of 1985. Although we have not been
thrilled with the current structure on the property, we are even less thrilled with the proposed
change.
The building currently located on the property is obviously old, and has received a minimum
amount of care over the last 35 years. Nevertheless, in many respects, it fits the neighborhood
far better than its proposed replacement. Although we do not know its exact size, we believe
that the footprint of the current structure, including the garage, is less than 1500 square feet.
Although not well cared for, the current yard has grass, trees and bushes and the property
generally fits into the neighborhood. The plan that has been proposed will necessitate the
removal of virtually all of the vegetation on the lot and drop a 21st
century building onto a lot
in a 19th
century neighborhood. If approved and completed, the majority of the site will be
occupied by buildings and concrete, and will not look anything like the rest of the
neighborhood.
Last fall I was approached by a representative of the architectural firm hired for the project.
He spent a few minutes providing me with a self-congratulatory summary of the project and
left a folder with me. We didn’t speak long, and I imagine he had to go ice his arm after a few
minutes of patting himself on the back for the wonderful project they proposed. After he left,
my wife and I looked at the contents of the folder and realized that the architectural firm and
the owner were at the end of the plan development stage, not the beginning, and they were not
looking for any feedback from us. Contrary to the representation made orally to the effect that
they were not like the Black Olive developer and wanted to construct something that would
make the neighbors happy, the contents of the folder indicated they already had their plans set.
From all indications, the project meets the minimum standards for development within the
Bon Ton District. They have characterized the existing structure as “a blight on the beautiful
Bon Ton District,” which may be true to a degree, due to the lack of any significant care over
the years. We do not agree with the statement that “[b]y demolition of this structure we are
creating opportunity for new living units that focus on appropriate density, useable and
beautiful outdoor space, and high-quality design that will add to and fit within the context of
the Bon Ton Historic District.” By creating two new units ,which are each close to double the
size of the existing units, they will be increasing the density in the area, which is obviously
allowed under the zoning regulations, but which will burden what is already a somewhat
crowded street. The “beautiful outdoor space will consist of very small areas of yard, and it is
hard to imagine how the standing seam roof and the overall design and material selection will
fit within the neighborhood. The building proposed would fit well in a neighborhood on the
west side of Bozeman, in a new subdivision, but it does not add anything to our neighborhood.
We are apparently not alone in our view of the appropriateness of some of the construction
around Bozeman, as evidenced by letters to the editor of the Bozeman Daily Chronicle on
Wednesday, January 13, 2021 and Saturday, January 16, 2021, which accompany this writing.
We do not know the authors of the letters, or where they live, but they summed up our views
nicely.
Section 38.340.010, of the Bozeman Municipal Code, titled “Intent and purpose,” states:
The intent and purpose of the conservation district designation is to stimulate
the restoration and rehabilitation of structures, and all other elements
contributing to the character and fabric of established residential neighborhoods
and commercial or industrial areas. New construction will be invited and
encouraged provided primary emphasis is given to the preservation of existing
buildings and further provided the design of such new space enhances and
contributes to the aesthetic character and function of the property and the
surrounding neighborhood or area.
The current proposal makes no effort any kind of preservation, restoration or rehabilitation of
any structures and does nothing to enhance the surrounding neighborhood or area. If allowed,
it should make money for the architect and owner and we will get to bear the effects.
Wayne Jennings
January 13, 2021
For some time now, I have been wondering where the architects that design the new buildings
and houses in Bozeman received their training. The key word for most of the designs is “Ugly.”
Beauty may be skin deep but “Ugly” goes to the bone. The preferred finish seems to be dark gray,
black or rusty tin. Other words such as “eyesore” and “monstrosity” come to mind.
I have been in Bozeman since 1958 and, what was once our lovely city is now something I am
beginning to be ashamed of. I am not against growth and I realize Bozeman is a wonderful place
to live and raise a family. We raised our three children here -- two engineers and a librarian. It
has been a joy to live here all these years.
Perhaps what we need is a city design review board -- one with the authority to say “No” to some
of these outlandish designs and only approve new designs that are in keeping with the rest of our
fair city.
Chuck Curtis
Bozeman
January 16, 2021
I agree with the comments Chuck Curtis wrote about some of the new buildings in Bozeman
(Jan. 13, “Bozeman’s New Buildings Just Don’t Look Good”).
It is not necessarily bad modern architecture, but it is the practice of putting new buildings with
extremely modern designs, right next to those designed many years ago.
When we moved here in 2017, I was impressed with the character of the buildings on Main
Street that is worth preserving, but I was also impressed that the new housing in the surrounding
area were not the cookie cutter house designs in suburbs in California and Nevada, where you get
a choice of four or five models (if you’re lucky).
Our city managers should not let them plunk down some “bauhouse” school design right in the
middle of houses or commercial buildings built in the 1930s and early 40s.
Lloyd Shanks
Bozeman