HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-10-21 Public Comment - C. Lange - Development Code Input and Ideas MmaiI Susan Riggs <sriggs@groundprint.com>
Code Audit Comment Submission
1 message
webadmin@bozeman.net <webadmin@bozeman.net> Fri, Sep 10, 2021 at 11:55 AM
To: sriggs@groundprint.com
A new entry to a form/survey has been submitted.
Form Name: Affordable Housing: Development Code Input and Ideas
Date&Time: 09/10/2021 11:55 AM
Response#: 13
SubmitterID: 43474
IP address: 63.153.13.132
Time to complete: 17 min.,4 sec.
Survey Details
Page 1
Affordable Housing: Development Code Input and Ideas
1. Contact Info
First Name Connie
Last Name Lange
Email Address connielange712@gmail.com
2. View Unified Development Code
Topic Housing preservation
Code Section(If Known) Bzm Code Audit Outcome 2: Preserving Existing Affordable Housing
Describe Your Idea or Comment Here
I enthusiastically support Outcome 2: Preserve Existing Affordable Housing(pgs.42-44).Specifically, I applaud the City for
recognizing the need to curtail speculative pressure on small and medium size houses. Preserving more affordable homes
with percent size control is the single most cost effective,expedient and efficient measure that can be implemented in the
timeliest manner. Mention should also be given to the environmental and sustainability benefits of preservation over
demolition and redevelopment. I look forward to the establishment of the housing preservation overlay district. I further
agree that expanding these preservations to neighborhoods beyond north and south of Downtown is appropriate. I have in
mind houses west of Bozeman High School to N. 19th and beyond.Without protecting neighborhoods like these,the
practice of home expansion will likely occur in those places.
Not mentioned in the Code Audit is preservation of existing multi-unit apartment buildings that were once large single
family homes, but have served as small apartments for decades.These apartments typically provide housing for MSU
students and other adults not yet ready for or capable of home purchase.These units should remain multi-unit apartments
and not be converted back to single-family homes.
The imperative of preserving mobile home parks was made clear to me this summer as I began surveying residents in
mobile homes to find out what would happen to them if they were evicted due to the sale and redevelopment of their
mobile home park.The people I spoke with embodied the enviable neighborliness towards each other that is fading
elsewhere in rapidly growing Bozeman.They valued their homes such as they were. Many preferred to live in a place with a
little yard and without shared walls.The latter was something some dreaded.Some had decent jobs.Some had serious and
chronic health issues.All of them said that they would be forced to leave Bozeman if they were evicted.Although left
unsaid,all of them would suffer serious,if not devastating,setbacks if evicted.Along with City officials, property owners,
developers and realtors, residents in mobile home parks are also stakeholders in the affordable housing issues.Stakeholders
who have the most to lose. I invite any City official and planning board member to join me on my surveys of mobile home
parks.
The cities of Boulder,CO and Portland,OR have worked with non-profits to purchase the parks and to protect their sale to
developers.This is an excellent starting point to consider.
Please also consider,some sort of conservation measures in a model similar to GVLT's conservation easement program to
protect park ownership.
Another idea to explore would be to replace trailers as they become unlivable with small houses of comparable square
footage in the existing park using grants, Federal funding, no interest loans and/or trailer owner's funds as possible. It may
be possibly to replace individual mobile homes with two-story houses of,say, 1200 sq.ft.,thus adding density as mobile
homes turnover into small houses.
Having a mix of income levels within the neighborhoods is essential. Recognizing, being acquainted with or knowing the
people around us fosters trust and community. Isolating the poor to outlying areas fosters resentment and crime.
Respectfully,
Connie Lange
Have an image or
document that supports
your idea?Upload here
Thank you,
City Of Bozeman
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