HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-13-21 Public Comment - C. Vaniman - Davis Lane & Westlake PropertyFrom:Cecilia Vaniman
To:Agenda
Subject:Fwd: City Commission 09-13-2021
Date:Monday, September 13, 2021 11:42:25 PM
Attachments:City Commission 09-13-2021.pdf
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Please include my attached comments to the Mayor and Commissioners regarding the DavisLane / Westlake property which will be discussed at their meeting Tuesday night.
Thank you,
Cecilia Vaniman
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Cecilia Vaniman <crvaniman@msn.com>Date: Mon, Sep 13, 2021 at 11:37 PM
Subject: City Commission 09-13-21
Bozeman City Commission
September 14, 2021
Re: Adoption of Resolution 5324 and Provisional Adoption of Ordinance 2083 for the 2021
NE Corner Davis Lane & Westlake Road Annexation and Zone Map Amendment, Located at
the Northeast Corner of the Intersection of Westlake Road and Davis Lane, to the South
of Interstate 90, for 17.197 Acres to be Given Initial Zoning of R-5 Residential Mixed Use
High Density District, and Authorize the City Manager to Sign the Annexation Agreement
and Associated Right of Way Easements, Application 21186(Saunders)
Dear Mayor and Commissioners:
First, as adjacent landowners, we are not contesting the annexation of above referenced property.
I am writing to express my concerns and those of my husband, Don Vaniman, regarding the
proposed intensive development of the land at the corner of Davis Lane and Westlake Road.
This land was originally native grassland as part of the “Valley of the Flowers” and has been in
agricultural crops since the Gallatin Valley was homesteaded. The proposed resolution is to take
this land which has no buildings and allow development of it in the most intensive residential
designation of R-5 which could include approximately 300+ apartments at 4 floors and 60 feet in
height and possibly 450+ parking spaces. I seriously question how this kind of density can be
addressed sensitively. However, R5 does allow for neighborhood-type commercial development
on the ground floor of the buildings, which seems more reasonable than the intense apartment
development.
As to our property at 5020 Westlake Road, there have only been 8 owners since it was
homesteaded in the mid-1800’s and we have owned it longer than anyone previously. We have
lived on this land for 47 years and it was way out in the country, only accessible by dirt farm
roads when we bought it. We have taken great pride in our property, using great care in the
addition of new buildings and maintenance of historic structures, fences, landscaping, pond, and
planting over 500 trees and shrubs, etc. I am an architect and planner and am fully aware that
development would eventually be coming this way. However, I never envisioned the kind of
density or impact proposed.
I realize we are only a single family with an ADU over the garage. And you are weighing the
request of a couple of people to the potential of hundreds. I have been told that R-5 is the only
zoning option the developer has to provide business with the residential. There must be other
options that you can offer this developer.
I ask that you seriously make the following conditions of any zoning:
• Due to its location and visibility at the entryway corridor into Bozeman, this is a really
special piece of property, and it deserves extra consideration in planning, design and
construction.
• There is a natural wetland that needs to be preserved and enhanced.
• Concern for the water that will be needed to support 300+/- apartments, landscaping, etc.
Insist on water saving fixtures and other measures.
• There must be a mandate for good design, the breaking-up of massing, different roof
heights, quality material selection, architectural detail, diverse, interesting buildings,
thoughtful site planning, etc. The cookie-cutter type of development that is in other parts
of Bozeman (including directly to the south of us) must not be allowed.
• The buildings need to be located so that our view to the north of our property is not
totally blocked.
• The site is currently not pedestrian or biker friendly on the Valley Center Road or Davis
Lane. They both are truly hazardous which needs to be addressed. The speed limit needs
to be reduced below 60 mph in this area.
• The corner of Davis and Valley Center is a traffic hazard in the morning and evening
right now, without additional traffic. This needs to be addressed.
As an architect, I support thoughtful planning, design, and developing special places that have a
“sense of place”. I supported Billings Clinic and gave my input through the entire planning
process at their request. They listened, really listened, to make their project fit the community. I
am hoping that the new owners/developer of this land will contact me as well.
Thank you for your consideration.
Regards,
Cecilia R. Vaniman
Cecilia R.Vaniman AIA Emeritus
A R C H I T E C T
5020 Westlake Road
Bozeman, MT 59718