HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-20-21 Public Comment - M. Egge - Exclusionary ZoningFrom: Mark Egge
To: Agenda
Subject: Escape from Unaffordable Housing Island
Date: Saturday, February 20, 2021 7:50:37 PM
Mayor Andrus, Deputy Mayor Cunningham, and Commissioners,
Deputy Mayor Cunningham described in this morning's paper being unable
to escape from "unaffordable housing island" due to all paths being closed
by the state.
Fortunately, at least one path remains open: undoing
Bozeman's exclusionary zoning ordinances. Bozeman recently went on the
record that "City Commission could eliminate R-1 zoning on its own. There
is no state requirement to have R-1 or R-2 zoning... It would take 6
months or so to update our law. (MCA 76-2-302.5)" Adding an average of
just one unit per acre across areas currently zoned for single family
housing would result in 2800+ units of new housing—predominantly at
prices below the median.
Many believe the path of allowing "missing middle" type housing in all
neighborhoods leads to affordable housing. This was a well-trodden path in
Bozeman until relatively recently—as any walk through Bozeman's historic
neighborhoods will attest. This path is being rediscovered by cities ranging
in size from Lander to Helena to Minneapolis—and even including whole
states like Nebraska and Oregon (which, by the way, also bans mandatory
inclusionary zoning).
I believe this path warrants exploration. I highly urge its consideration.
The need to find a path off of "unaffordable island" grows more urgent by
the day.
Mark Egge
542 N Black Ave
Bozeman, MT 59715