HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-28-21 Public Comment - E. Barker - The IvesFrom:Eleanor Barker
To:Agenda
Subject:RE: Application #21165
Date:Tuesday, September 28, 2021 10:47:56 AM
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Please accept this comment in OPPOSITION to "The Ives," yet another Homebase
development project that will loom over a longstanding residential district in the heart
of downtown Bozeman.
Neighbors stand united against what they perceive to be a wholesale undermining of
the quality of their community in service to out-of-state developers.
These plans do not provide an adequate transition between this massive 6-story,
171,654 gross square foot (gsf) building and the adjacent neighborhood.
The building is across the alley and street from single family homes on two sides. The parking lot this is being built on was zoned residential until recently, and was rezoned
over the vocal protests of neighboring homeowners and business owners.
This Design Review Board claims that one of its goals is to, "Promote housing diversity, including missing middle housing.” Here’s a definition of missing middle
housing: “Missing Middle Housing is a range of house-scale buildings with multiple
units—compatible in scale and form with detached single-family homes—located in a
walkable neighborhood.” By any definition, a 6-story, 171,654 gross square foot (gsf) mixed-use development is not “missing middle housing.”
This building goes against the Bozeman Community Plan Goal N-4: “Continue to
encourage Bozeman’s sense of place.” Unless that "place" consists of high-walled, multi-story characterless construction that dwarfs the neighborhood, blocks views,
and creates cold and dark urban canyons.
This site plan goes against the Bozeman Strategic Plan for a “safe, healthy,
welcoming and inclusive community.” More high-end housing is not inclusive. Consuming neighborhood light and views is not inclusive.
Homebase is asking for a variance with regard to the driveway access from W. Villard
Street. Code states that the driveway must be a minimum of 40-feet from the
intersection with the abutting alley per 38.400.090.1. The Villard driveway is located only 20 feet from the alley intersection. This variance should not be granted as it is a
safety issue. We shouldn’t sacrifice safety for the benefit of this developer.
Homebase is requesting cash-in-lieu of the provision of parkland for this
development. This only serves to further degrade the quality of life in the neighborhood, and runs counter to walkability and livability goals. Additionally, “Two
Linden canopy trees would be planted along the W. Villard frontage for additional
screening.” Wholly inadequate.
The Design Review Board staff report states that “The Ives building would appear to
tower over the smaller one- and two-story older homes to the north and west.” Is that
a positive?
PLEASE VOTE NO.
Sincerely,
Eleanor Barker
Bozeman, Montana