HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-22-21 Public Comment - L. Jay - Buffalo Run App. 21076From:Lorre Jay
To:Agenda
Subject:Re: Buffalo Run # 21076
Date:Monday, March 22, 2021 12:20:14 PM
Attachments:Comment Letter for Buffalo Run #21076 .pdf
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Apologies. Attached is the corrected version of my comments.
Thank you,
Lorre Jay
> On Mar 22, 2021, at 12:16 PM, Lorre Jay <lorrejay@gmail.com> wrote:> > <Comment Letter for Buffalo Run #21076 .pdf>
Lorre Jay
2964 Meah Lane
Bozeman, MT 59718
lorrejay@gmail.com
Mar. 22, 2021
City of Bozeman Department of Community Development
Attention: Chris Saunders
P.O. Box 1230
Bozeman, MT 59771-1230
agenda@bozeman.net
Comments on Proposed Buffalo Run Development, Application 21076
Dear City of Bozeman Department of Community Development:
As a property owner in Meadow Creek, I am still extremely concerned with the proposed Buffalo
Run Development, application 21076 annexation and rezoning request (the “Proposal”) due to
its non-compliance with the Bozeman Municipal Code and nonconformance with the Current
Bozeman Growth Plan.
The Proposal for R-4 zoning as recently amended does not alleviate material concerns over
increased traffic by at least 1000%1 over 2-3 roads which are not arterial or feeder roads. This
will result in more accidents in a neighborhood for children, runoff pollution burdening the
existing neighborhoods and changing their character and use. In addition, the purpose of R-4
zoning, established as a means of reducing traffic, would instead, materially increase it due to
the lack of availability of public transportation, jobs, stores or schools within a few blocks walking
distance. The Proposal devalues currently successful neighborhoods while increasing the
Developer’s return on investment while not achieving Bozeman’s affordable housing objectives.
No Walkable Services
From my home, the “walking distance” to the nearest grocery story is 2.6 miles (Town & Country
Foods on 11th) and 3.3 miles (Safeway on Main and 19th). The “walking distance” to the nearest
1 150 units * 7 trips per day (rule-of thumb usage for condominium based on engineering studies) funneled into one
or two routes (Kurk to 27th or Meah to 27th). This doesn’t factor in the construction vehicles, heavy equipment,
landscapers, delivery trucks, school buses, snow removal equipment, trash removal, recycling, composting, repair
trucks, etc. which could make that figure double which would add even more burden on streets not meant for this
amount of traffic.
City of Bozeman Department of Community Development
March 22, 2021
2
school is 3.6 miles (Bozeman High School), 2.7 miles (Sacagawea Middle School). The “walking
distance” to the nearest business park is 1.3 miles (Oracle, who’s business park is currently for
sale as they have moved elsewhere). The “walking distance” to the nearest bus stop is 3.1 miles
(MSU the Strand Union) and no public transportation is available nearby. This guarantees a
dramatic increase in traffic through Meadow Creek as a result of the placement of this R-4 zone
in a farm field next to an R-1 (as developed neighborhood).
R-4 Proposal is not Next to an Arterial Road or Services
All other Bozeman R-4 developments have easy access to an arterial road and do not force traffic
to snake through a quiet, less-trafficked neighborhood. As indicated above, there are no services
walkable from this proposed zone increasing the need for vehicular transportation. Because
Fowler and Stucky are not developed to code to handle increased traffic (Fowler is gravel) and
because of the proposed egress to 19th via neighborhoods, much traffic from this Proposed
Development will be funneled through streets that are not arterial roads or even feeder roads.
This has no precedence in Bozeman and for good reason as it will destroy the ability for families
to enjoy Ainsworth Park and the neighborhood.
Neighborhood is in the Edge of City Services
Last year, our streets were plowed by the City of Bozeman once during the winter. There is no
public transportation within 3 miles. The plans to upgrade surrounding designated arterial roads
(Fowler and Stucky) are not determined. Furthermore having an east egress to access 19th will
cause traffic to snake through a quiet neighborhood. There is no precedent to dump what is
effectively “spot-zoning”, R-4, high density into a quiet neighborhood to enable a developed to
get a higher return on his investment. Adding population density without infrastructure works
against the city’s goals of walkable neighborhoods with functional mixed use.
Bozeman property taxes on ¼ acre are more than property taxes on 40 acres in Gallatin County
without much increase in services. Well thought-out growth is important to the City, but it seems
counter-productive to the City’s goals to grow at the expense of successful neighborhoods that
Bozeman has worked hard to create.
I respectfully ask you to vote no to the R-4 zoning for Buffalo Run.
Kind regards,
Meadow Creek Homeowner