HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-05-21 Public Comment - F. Schoessow - Buffalo RunFrom: agenda@bozeman.net
To: Agenda
Subject: Thank you for your public comment.
Date: Friday, February 5, 2021 1:28:20 PM
A new entry to a form/survey has been submitted.
Form Name: Public Comment Form
Date & Time: 02/05/2021 1:28 PM
Response #: 871
Submitter ID: 34800
IP address: 174.45.92.49
Time to complete: 9 min. , 37 sec.
Survey Details
Page 1
Public comment may be submitted via the form below, or by any of the following options.
Public comment may also be given at any public meeting.
Email:
agenda@bozeman.net
Mail to:
Attn: City Commission
PO Box 1230
Bozeman, MT 59771
First Name Forrest
Last Name Schoessow
Email Address fs221208@gmail.com
Phone Number 5487006
Comments
I am writing once again, this time to express explicit opposition to R-5 zoning designation for the proposed
"Buffalo Run" development.
After reviewing all materials referenced by the 20112 Staff Report for the Buffalo Run Annexation & Zone
Map Amendment, I find these staff recommendation contradicts the Bozeman Community Plan for the
following reasons:
1. 20112 Staff Report for the Buffalo Run Annexation and Zone Map Amendment
January 29, 2020
Chris Saunders, Community Development Manager
Section 6 (p. 33-57) outlines the argument in favor of R-5 zoning. This section falsely describes how the
Buffalo Run development in its current R-5 classification would comply with city documents (including the
Community Plan). I would argue that compliance alone isn't what we should aim for. Future developments
should enhance the plans of our community.
Based upon the development plan application and the City's traffic & hydro studies, the proposed R-5
district does not align with the Community Plan. Specifically, it would not be in "close proximity to jobs and
services" but rather in a quiet neighborhood at the furthest edge of city limits. The effect on motorized and
nonmotorized transportation systems in the Meadow Creek community would be dramatic as we have few
access points and are not capable of coping with additional traffic. (These concerns are valid & would
remain, regardless of the improvements the city has hastily made in recent months to local collector routes
or any potential improvements to Fowler.) Lastly, the character of this district which is defined by quiet,
wildlife, and open spaces. This development will not promote "compatible urban growth" & will negatively
impact home values in our community.
P. 59, Appendix A. The staff summary of public comments appears extremely dismissive of community
concerns. The staff summary does not mention "R5 designation" at all, something that that almost every
public comment specifically opposed. Secondly, I can see they intend to advance this via the "affordable
housing" argument much-loved by developers of the Valley. If this is the path they take with this, there are
many arguments to made that this does development does not support affordable housing. This is a
common ruse used by developers seeking to maximize profit per acre & is designed to make things as
politically convenient as possible.
2. Buffalo Run Development Application
File name: CC_Packet_Application_Materials_Combined.pdf
P. 23 (in document, p. 26 in reader) of Buffalo Run application presents arguments in favor of R-5 zoning.
Spot Zoning Criteria #1-3 are the most critical points that we as homeowners in Meadow Creek should be
addressing. They are diametrically opposed to the Bozeman Community Plan.
P. 23-#1 "Question: Is the proposed use significantly different from the prevailing land uses in the area?"
The development application states that R-5 designation would not be "significantly different". In what
universe would R-5, 3 story, high-density housing not be significantly different than the wide open
meadows & mainly single story homes currently in the area?
P. 23-#2 "Q: Is the area requested for the rezone rather small in terms of the number of separate
landowners benefited from the proposed change?" A straight answer is not given here. If one or a few
landlords are the sole beneficiaries & Meadow Creek property values decline as a result of noise &
obstructed mountain views, then this question has more weight.
P. 23-#3 "Q: Would the change be in the nature of “special legislation” designed to benefit only one or a
few landowners at the expense of the surrounding landowners or the general public?" Again, this seems
like exactly the problem. "No substantial negative impacts to surrounding landowners have been identified
due to this proposed zoning." What kind of sociopath wrote this?
If you would like to submit additional documents (.pdf, .doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx, .gif, .jpg, .png, .rtf, .txt)
along with your comment, you may alternately address agenda@bozeman.net directly to ensure
receipt of all information.
Thank you,
City Of Bozeman
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