HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-20-21 Public Comment - K. McDowell - Bridger MeadowsTo: City Commissioners
From: Kate McDowell Subject: Bridger Meadows Development Excerpts take from Bechtle Architects: PUD Preliminary Plan Application Subdivision Preliminary Plat Application
My questions to the commission members will appear in red ink.
1. The Bridger Meadows Neighborhood proposal intends to provide single family (R-1) and affordable (townhome) homesites choices that promote affordability, quality and choice, while emphasizing Bozeman’s unique character and lifestyle through the protection and enhancement of the existing wildlife habitat. Mr. Murphy has bragged that he will be able to sale each
development lot for at least $400,000.
2. The homesites will be available to individual builders and owners
for construction of unique homes in accordance with the
requirements of this PUD, HOA Design Regulations and Guidelines as well as applicable codes enforced by the City. My husband and I have experienced the “unique home” idea in The Legends
of Bridger Creek where all covenants were disregarded. What was designed to looked like a well thought out development turned into an ”anything goes” with the “design board” being abandoned.
3. Prime riparian habitat and wildlife refuge
Even living a half city block away from this property we are delighted
to hear the calls of the sandhill cranes that breed and nest here. This property was referred to as the only “dedicated riparian” area and that is not true as The Legends of Bridger Creek is a dedicated riparian area. 4. The recommended option being, to proceed with a PUD to address
the lack of 60’ Right of Way (ROW) for the existing private street
through The Links. We would request that the City Commission rule
to approve this relaxation. Birdie Drive (Private) is only 36 feet wide. I know because I, with the help of a Links’ townhouse owner measured it. The reason for that measurement was to determine if Birdie Drive (Private) was wide enough to allow for emergency vehicles. According to this owner, street parking is allowed on both sides which takes up at least eight
feet per street side. The remaining twenty feet is adequate for
emergency vehicles to pass.
5. The applicant proposes preserving 7.15 acres as a wildlife refuge
( exclusive of the play area and gathering area) adjacent to the Glen Lakes Rotary Park (essentially creating an extension of the existing park). The intent is to protect the wildlife movement areas, and to preserve the existing federally protected wetlands, water bodies, and wildlife refuge from negative human impacts. I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around how Mr. Murphy plans on protecting this area through development. The disruption and excavation of the “wildlife habitat” will never be the same when you add: human being interactions with the
wildlife, barking dogs and dogs off lease, children
playing/shouting/screaming with excitement, etc.
6. The development also strives to address Environmental Quality and Critical Land Goals and Objectives. These include: • Discourage development in areas characterized by wetlands (Objective E-1.1).
•Protect, restore, and enhance the benefits of wetlands by creation of
the wildlife and federally protected wetland refuge (objective E-1.2)
I don’t want to appear as a “doubting Thomas” but just listening to
peoples’ interaction with Mr. Murphy really confirms my thoughts
that this man bought a wetland/floodplain and now he is trying to turn
a “sow’s ear into a purse”. He has no regard for whose lives he will adversely affect in so doing or what habitat will be destroyed.
7. Due to the diverse vegetation, wetland features, and intentional
inaccessibility to humans, many different species of wildlife will
continue inhabit the site. Large ungulates such as moose, mule and
whitetail deer, many small mammals, song birds and birds of prey
have been seen frequently by visitors and documented in the area Every spring, a cow moose and her calves can be seen retreating into this area. Remember who has written these statements – Bechtle Architects. He has confirmed the value of this property to the enhancement of the wildlife and yet is willing to destroy it through development. Every inch
of open land in Bozeman doesn’t have to be developed.
As a retired person I have more free time and when I read through the Planning
Documents it made me wonder how this proposed development (Bridger
Meadows) has gone this far through the commission.
I urge you to think very hard when voting on this development. Each of you
hesitated to say “yes” during the last WebEx meeting. What is your GUT telling
you?
Please do the right thing and not allow this development to happen. Remember,
these excerpts came from Mr. Murphy’s employment of Bechtle Architects.
Thank you for your time and energy in making Bozeman a great place to live,
work, raise a family, and retire.
Kate McDowell