HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-22-21 Public Comment - S. Mathre - Canyon Gate Development ProposalFrom:Susie
To:Agenda
Subject:CANYON GATE ANNX AND ZMA
Date:Wednesday, September 22, 2021 4:30:48 PM
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To the Planning Committee:
As a long time Bozeman resident, I’ve watched the city grow for over several decades and I would like to encourage
you to be very thoughtful when annexing and zoning this property. As it is surrounded by City property, it makes
sense to annex it in. Looking at the Future Growth Use Map, I see that the recommendation is for Community
Commercial Mixed Use and Residential Mixed Use. Accounting for the considerable amount of dense development
that will be happening at the the Stockyard Properties and the Bridger View Redevelopment, I think it’s important to
evaluate whether this area to be annexed would benefit from another high density development or not, whether it
will benefit a few landowners at the expense of the surrounding landowners and the city of Bozeman.
I understand that the City would like to encourage concentrated development within residential areas - to build
neighborhoods that are walkable, and close to services that are regularly used, but as this is near the edge of town
and there is little chance of more commercial use development to the north and east, I think it’s important to not
overdevelop this parcel, not to the degree that Canyon Gate envisions (B-2M, R-3, and R-5). I know these zoning
designations are specified for CCMU and RMU, but there are other options recommended for these zones that may
be more appropriate for this area, perhaps REMU.
It’s hard to envision how buildings that could potentially be 5 stories would fit in visually in this area that’s mostly
surrounded by R-1 and lower height businesses. They would block the "canyon gate" view, detract from the historic
Story Mill area, and be too tall to create any sort of transition with the surrounding development. Looking at Andy
Holloran’s other developments, it’s hard to believe this project would deviate from the other buildings he’s
developed, as his company seems to maximize what’s allowed.
Affordable housing is a value the City desires and this project doesn’t include any, which won’t help with providing
housing for workers and won’t promote any sort of diversity, another value the City would like to encourage,
according to the Bozeman Community Plan. Open space and trails look to be minimized in this proposal, and it’s
unclear what this development would really add to the City’s overall goals, besides more housing for the wealthy,
and probably part time residents.
I hope that the planning committee takes time to look at the overall picture of future growth and goals of Bozeman,
and restrict the zoning of this area to reflect the surrounding neighborhood, proximity to the foothills and mountains,
and other developments in the area.
Thank you for your time and consideration of this proposal,
Sincerely,
Susie Mathre