HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-27-21 Public Comment - L. Crane - Canyon GateFrom:Ross Knapper
To:Leo Crane
Cc:Agenda
Subject:RE: Canyon Gate Development Project No: 21337
Date:Monday, September 27, 2021 12:57:43 PM
Dear Leo,
Thank you for contacting the City of Bozeman and for submitting your public comment for this
project. Your comments have been added to the project record.
Best,
Ross Knapper | Development Review Coordinator, Community DevelopmentCity of Bozeman | 20 East Olive St. | P.O. Box 1230 | Bozeman, MT 59771406.582.2968 | (C) 406.451.6803 | rknapper@bozeman.net | www.bozeman.net
The Department of Community Development is revising its operations until further notice to address COVID-19. We
appreciate your patience and are working hard to maintain the stability of our operations. There may be delays in
responding to inquiries. We continue to receive and review development applications. Some application types may
see delays in their review times due to the suspension of public meetings.
From: Leo Crane <lcrane@energy-1.net>
Sent: Monday, September 27, 2021 12:45 PM
To: Ross Knapper <rknapper@BOZEMAN.NET>
Subject: Canyon Gate Development Project No: 21337
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Hi Mr. Knapper,
My name is Leo Crane and I, along with my wife and 2 kids, live on Maiden Spirit Street. As a Bozeman resident for
over 20 years and an adjacent property owner to Canyon Gate, I am writing to share with you my concerns of the
proposed rezoning of and development plan for Canyon Gate.
Respectfully, I'd like to start by saying that I am not against development on this parcel of land. We live in a rapidly
developing and changing area, and I'm sure you may hear a lot of opposition to every zoning request that all begins
to sound like generalized fear and dislike of change. That is not my position. With good planning and sound
development principles, change is inevitable, and growth can be a very good thing. Further, I understand this parcel
is suitable for annexation and has been identified in the Bozeman Comprehensive Plan.
That said, the current Canyon Gate development plan and proposed zoning would have a severe and adverse impact
to the adjacent neighborhood(s) and surrounding infrastructure. The developer is pursuing a zoning designation to
allow for maximum allowable commercial and residential densities and building heights – dramatically different
from the R-1 and R-2 zoning that is adjacent to it. This “spot” zoning on the edge of town is not compatible with the
existing developments and the “compatibility” factor is a comment that has been echoed before by City
Commissioners. As such, the rezoning for this parcel should be limited to R1 and R3.
In addition to these zoning and density concerns, the offsite ripple effect of this zoning would be major, including,
but not limited to:
-Increased traffic. There has been a distinct increase in motor traffic and train delays in just the last few years. This
proposal begs the question of proper infrastructure for the health and safety of its residents and community
members.
-Insufficient infrastructure in case of emergency. This area is already a pinch point for traffic and train traffic can
completely STOP all emergency traffic from exiting this side of town. On numerous occasions, Ambulances traveling
to the hospital under flashing lights and sirens have been stopped due to train traffic, with ZERO alternate routes.
-Wildland Urban Interface. The high-density zoning that is being proposed, on the edge of Wildland and thousands
of acres of heavily timbered forest, is a major concern. In fact, this zoning change would be in direct contrast to the
current USFA community wildfire protection planning strategy, making it impossible to create a safe wildland fire
response and a fire adapted community.
I hope that you will consider my concerns and know that mine are representative of an overwhelming majority of
the immediate subdivision as well as the surrounding communities.
In conclusion, I’d like to reiterate that I am not against development of this parcel – but the city has a responsibility
to existing residents and communities to allow for a level of development that aligns with preexisting
neighborhoods and avoid spot zoning.
--
Leo Crane