HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-16-21 Public Comment - S. Thompson - Buffalo Run App. 21076From:Sam Thompson
To:Agenda
Subject:Public Comment - Application 21076
Date:Tuesday, March 16, 2021 11:08:15 AM
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Public Comment Regarding Application 21076
Dear Bozeman City Commission and Zoning Commission,
I am writing to bring to your attention Application 21076 for the
annexation and zone map amendment of a proposed R-4 zoning district,
known as Buffalo Run Subdivision. I am a Bozeman resident andhomeowner, and am opposed to a high density development in this
location.
Bozeman Municipal CodeBozeman Municipal Code 38.300.100 classifies R-4 as Residential High
Density. The code states that the intent and purpose of such a zoning
district is as follows:
“Use of this zone is appropriate for areas adjacent to mixed-use districts,
commercial districts, and/or served by transit to accommodate a higher
density of residents in close proximity to jobs and services.”
The proposed R-4 zoning district does not meet any of the criteria set
forth per Bozeman Municipal Code for such a district.
-It is not adjacent to or even near mixed-use or commercial districts.
-It is not served by transit.-It is not near any jobs or services.
The closest employer is located 1.5 miles away and the closest grocery
store is located 2.7 miles away. Neither of which are connected to the
subject property by sidewalks, bike lanes or even roads wide enough toaccommodate a shoulder to walk or bike along. This development goes
directly against the City’s goals of creating density within walkable
neighborhoods.
Bozeman Community Plan
The Future Land Use Map contained in the 2020 Bozeman Community Plan
designates the area proposed for an R-4 zoning district as Urban
Neighborhood which includes R-S, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, R-O, REMU,RMH, B-1, and PLI. The application attempts to justify compliance with the
growth policy primarily because the proposed zoning district falls within
the boundaries of the Urban Neighborhood designation. However,
this Urban Neighborhood designation does not mean that anywhere withinthe area boundary is necessarily appropriate for R-4 zoning and simply
being within this boundary is not sole justification for R-4 zoning. Thecommunity plan clearly states that higher density residential areas areto be near commercial mixed use areas in order to provide access
to services and employment opportunities without the use of a car.
There are currently no such districts adjacent to the property and the 2020Bozeman Community Plan Future Land Use Map does not include any
such districts adjacent to the property. In addition, the plan states
multiple times throughout that overall goals of the plan are to reduce
urban sprawl and focus development on infill versus outward expansion.
“Infill development and redevelopment should be prioritized”
“The City intends to look inward by prioritizing infill”
“RC-3.1 Work with Gallatin County to create compact, contiguous
development and infill to achieve an efficient use of land and
infrastructure, reducing sprawl and preserving open space, agriculturallands, wildlife habitat, and water resources.”
The subject property is surrounded on three sides by large parcels zoned
AS, which is agricultural use land with a single home on each parcel.-The proposed development removes existing agriculture lands, which is
not inline with goal RC-3.1 to reduce sprawl and preserve agricultural
lands and open space.
-The proposed development is not infill, and in fact attempts to extend anisland of high density housing well beyond the existing city limits into a
rural agricultural area, contributing to urban sprawl.
AccessThe subject property is situated along Fowler Lane. The application
attempts to justify compliance with the intents of an R-4 zoning district by
calling Fowler Lane an arterial road. Fowler Lane is currently not an
arterial road and the likelihood of it becoming one in the next decadeare slim to none. Fowler Lane is a county dirt road which does not,at any point along its contiguous length, enter the Bozeman City
limits.
To access the proposed high density development, one must leave the
Bozeman City Limits and travel 1 mile down Stucky Road, turn on to
Fowler Lane and travel an additional 0.8 miles - all 1.8 miles of which are
through the county on narrow roads with no shoulders and no sidewalks.Alternatively, the proposed high density development may also be
accessed via Kurk Drive, a local street which bisects a neighborhood of
single family homes. Routing the amount of traffic that a high density
development brings down a small street lined by single family homeswould be devastating to the character of the existing neighborhood.
Simply put, there are no appropriate means of access to a high density
development in this location.
In closing, it is clear that the proposed annexation and ZMA do not comply
with the 2020 Bozeman Community Plan or Bozeman Municipal Code. This
sentiment is also shared by hundreds of current residents. Please deny
Application 21076.
Sincerely,
Sam Thompson
3356 S 26th Ave
Bozeman, MT 59718