HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-20-21 Public Comment - C. O'Callaghan - Buffalo Run App. 21076From:agenda@bozeman.net
To:Agenda
Subject:Thank you for your public comment.
Date:Tuesday, April 20, 2021 9:28:39 AM
A new entry to a form/survey has been submitted.
Form Name:Public Comment Form
Date & Time:04/20/2021 9:28 AM
Response #:1072
Submitter ID:37282
IP address:209.17.40.40
Time to complete:58 min. , 58 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 Casey
Last Name O'Callaghan
Email Address caseybelleone@yahoo.com
Phone Number 4065709751
Comments
Dear Commissioners,
I am writing to voice my opposition for the proposed Buffalo Run R-4.
My family has lived in Bozeman since 1985 and we have seen how the growth can benefit families like
mine. Because of the growth of our desirable community, I was able to continue to call this place home
because there are good jobs available. I’m hoping this will continue to hold true as my children grow and
become adults. Believe me when I say that I feel the pain in seeing the demand for housing outpace the
supply. I worry that housing is the issue that will prevent my children from calling Bozeman their home.
That said, development of new housing for our community members must be done in a way that makes us
all look back and know that we made the right decisions regarding how we grew our community. Once new
developments are in the works, there really is no turning back. A well planned community is and should be
the vision for Bozeman’s growth, not just today but for generations to come. It’s hard to go back after poor
developments were in place and fix what was broken to begin with, such as roadways, trails, biking paths,
etc.
The issues I have with the proposed Buffalo Run R-4 plan is that the roadways for Fowler and Stucky, as well
as those going through Meadow Creek Subdivision, are not adequate for the increase of traffic. As you
know, Stucky is already a narrow roadway. After a snow storm, you will likely see a vehicle or two in the
ditch on Stucky, or an accident that happens at the corner of Enterprise Blvd and Stucky, Cottonwood and
Stucky, or 19th and Stucky. Stucky road is narrow and doesn’t provide a shoulder on either side for bikers
and pedestrians. Does it really make sense to build high density housing that will increase traffic
exponentially on a roadway that is already burdened with traffic and does not provide safe access to town
for pedestrians and bikers? Adding high density housing to the area before fixing the root of the problem
causing congestion and unsafe transport is irresponsible.
Routing traffic solely through Meadow Creek is also an irresponsible response to this proposal. I have lived
in the subdivision for 11 years and have witnessed how poorly this neighborhood is managed after a snow
storm. There have been many storms over the years that have caused drifts of snow to build up on 27th
and Kirk roads. Often, the city’s response to these drifts is delayed by a day or two. I have witnessed
firsthand neighbors having to work together to dig cars out of the snow on these same roads. Additionally,
First Student will not send their buses down 29th or Kirk because they want to avoid getting stuck in the
snow. If you’d like to see proof of that reasoning, I’m happy to forward an email from Tera Jo at First
Student for why my kids have to get on the bus three blocks from our home (and coincidentally, the their
bus stop is now at 27th and Kirk which is another reason the Buffalo Run R-4 development presents an
unsafe increase in traffic to Meadow Creek subdivision). How do you anticipate transporting the increase of
students from the Buffalo Run R-4 subdivision? If First Student is unwilling to drive 29th Ave and Kirk
through Meadow Creek subdivision, it’s highly unlikely they’ll be willing to drive those same roadways to
pick up students from the new subdivision. These problems are only going to become more pronounced
when you add the increase of congestion by routing an entire R-4 subdivision through our existing
subdivision. I cannot believe that these problems will be adequately addressed if they’re aren’t addressed
BEFORE approving an R-4 proposal.
I worry that the increase in traffic will create unnecessary safety issues for all of my neighbors in Meadow
Creek as well as our new neighbors that will settle in Buffalo Run. Where are the trails and biking paths that
will safely connect residents in Buffalo Run to the City? I do not see that connecting the proposed
development through Fowler and Stucky, nor do I see that connection via Meadow Creek. If they are there,
will residents really choose to use them to commute into town? There are no businesses over here,
residents drive to stores and businesses because there is nothing in walking distance. This creates
congestion, pollution, and unsafe roadways with too much traffic and not enough management (for
example, after a snow storm). Where is the City’s vision for promoting public health, safety, and general
welfare?
I realize that you, as commissioners, are faced with solving the housing crisis in Bozeman. You’re also faced
with approving growth and development for the city. Approving high density housing for a pocket
neighborhood not close to businesses or schools, before the problems with existing roadways are fixed, is
irresponsible. Please consider what this area will look like in 5-10 years. Will you be happy with your
decisions that you make today? Does the proposal for Buffalo Run R-4 meet the expectations for growing a
safe and desirable community? Or is the proposal meeting an immediate need for housing and you’re just
hoping the city and tax payers can fix the other issues this proposal presents in the future?
I strongly oppose the Buffalo Run R-4 proposal. I hope you vote against this proposal.
Casey O’Callaghan
3398 S 29th Ave
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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