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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-12-21 Public Comment - D. Burgess - Ordinance 2070PROOF Architecture PO Box 11483 Bozeman, MT 59719 (406) 570-3235 Page 1 of 2 Dean Burgess, AIA Principal PROOF Architecture LLC PO Box 11483 Bozeman, MT 59719 dburgess@proofarch.com (406) 570-3235 April 12th, 2021 City of Bozeman Zoning Commission & City Commission Alfred M. Stiff Professional Building 20 East Olive St. Bozeman, MT 59771 RE: Support for Ordinance No. 2070 Dear Zoning Commission & City Commission, I am writing to voice our support for the proposed Ordinance No. 2070 and specifically for the proposed increase in allowable building heights and the reduction of roof pitch categories. We support these changes for several reasons: • The proposed changes will accommodate the current multi-family industry standard of 9’ ceiling heights instead of the older 8’ ceiling height standard. Zoning height limits have driven the use of 8’ ceilings in local multi-family design in the past, even when architects and developers would have preferred to provide taller ceilings. An increase from 8’ to 9’ ceilings, and the associated potential for taller windows, may be the most critical feature contributing to the perceived quality of a dwelling, increasing daylighting and directly impacting the wellbeing and quality of life of residents. • 9’ ceilings have become the standard for the greater NW mountain region. When working with regional lenders, their internal lending standards often require 9’ ceilings as a quality baseline. While lenders have relaxed their standards for the Montana area to accept 8’ ceilings in recognition that the local market still accepts this, it is clear that the greater regional market has moved to taller ceiling heights. • The proposed height limits will accommodate modern building techniques and systems, which require slightly taller floor-to-floor heights. These include the use of open web floor trusses instead of I-joists, improved floor/ceiling soundproofing systems, and the development of larger modular framing and drywall sizes. These systems directly contribute to living standards and the quality, longevity, and life cycle of the built environment. • Reducing the number of roof pitch categories will encourage attractive and appropriate building form and massing, particularly at the rooflines. • The City of Bozeman’s Unified Development Code contains excellent strategies for creating visually pleasing building forms and breaking down larger massing. Section 38.530.040.C Building Massing & Articulation and 38.530.040.F Roofline Modulation encourage vertical building articulation. Vertical articulation is one of the best methods for balancing the composition and proportion of form and breaking down larger massing to bring it to a human scale and create visual interest. The proposed changes to height limits and reduction of roof pitch categories allow the architect to use vertical modulation to design visually pleasing forms. The resulting designs will be more attractive, benefitting the overall community and urban fabric. Page 2 of 2 As Bozeman continues to develop, we believe it is essential that both building methodology and standards of living for our residents keep pace with our greater region. Both the existing community and future multi-family residents benefit from improved development quality. The proposed changes will favorably impact multi-family design from both quality of life and aesthetic perspectives. Sincerely, Dean Burgess, AIA PROOF Architecture