HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-29-21 Public Comment - L. Burkle & C. DeTar - The IvesFrom:Laura Burkle
To:Agenda
Subject:Opposing the Ives - application number 21165
Date:Wednesday, September 29, 2021 8:12:06 PM
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We have lived on N. Grand Ave for 10 years and are raising our family here because it has
been vibrant and safe with a wonderful sense of community. Our backyard immediately abutsthe proposed Ives development. We oppose the Ives application because it is inappropriate for
several reasons. Most importantly to us, we live at the interface between business andresidential areas, and the Ives plans do not provide any transition between the monolithic
building and the single-family homes on two sides. You have asked us before what we wantto happen as Bozeman develops, and our answer with regards to the Ives is: (1) more
transitional space that is consistent with our neighborhood’s sense of place and (2) filling therole of “middle housing” (i.e., compatible *in scale and form* with single-family homes).
Commissioners, please consider requiring the following changes to the Ives proposal:
More terracing, articulation, and “soft” material usage to provide a smoother transition
between the Ives and surrounding neighborhood. We understand that since the recentzoning change to business (which we opposed), the very tall walls are technically
allowed per code, but much, much more could be done with articulation and softeningwith material usage to provide a smoother transition between the Ives and the
surrounding neighborhood. For example, adding terracing to the Southern end of theWest edge (e.g., similar to the proposed terracing on the Northern end of the West edge)
could help provide a more appropriate interface with the abutting single-family homes,which are scheduled to be re-zoned Residential in the future use plan for Bozeman.
Ask to view a streetscape elevation to truly see the real scale and context of thisdevelopment. It is important for the Commission to understand that the 3D rendering
showing the “Residential Adjacency setback along alley frontage” is grossly misleading.Not only does it omit existing residential structures and trees, it conveys the impression
that our back yards are grassy park space providing a wide open transition to the 70 footwall. The submittal does not show a streetscape elevation, which has been required of
other residential projects. Such an elevation would better show the real scale and contextof this development – the Ives proposal is *huge*, and out of character for its
surroundings.Keep the alley rustic. When the NCOD talks about "sense of place," the alleys very
much contribute to this feeling, and should not be allowed to be a paved throughway, asillustrated in the Ives application.
No cash for parkland swaps. Cash-in-lieu of parkland should not be allowed. Such atravesty goes against the strategic plan by negatively impacting quality of life for all of
us.
You, the Commission, should require such changes. Even if the proposal fits the letter of the zoning
law, it violates the spirit. The Commission reviews these proposals in part to allow the opportunity
for sensible judgment calls when a proposal is a poor fit for Bozeman, as this one is.
Signed,Laura Burkle and Charlie DeTar
312 N. Grand AveBozeman, MT