HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-01-21 Public Comment - M. Miller - The IvesFrom:Michael Miller
To:Agenda
Subject:The Ives: Community Objections and Concerns - - Application # 21165
Date:Friday, October 1, 2021 9:54:33 AM
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To: Bozeman Director of Community Development and Bozeman Design Review Board
As a new investor and resident on N. Grand Ave, I’m writing to express my deep concerns for the
height, design and related elements of the Ives’ 6-story mixed-use development as proposed by
Homebase.
This building will be located in an area of direct transition between business and residential areas.
The plans, as proposed, do not provide an adequate transition between their 6-story building and
the adjacent residential neighborhood. Specifically:
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”.
The proposed height of Homebase’s Ives building needs to be reduced to a 4-story structure
so as to be in better harmony with existing structures to the south, to limit obstructing
mountain-top views from adjacent single-family homes and to allow a more gradual
transition from business to multi-use development since the building will be erected on what
was previously some residentially-zoned property.
Homebase is asking for a variance with regard to the driveway access from W. Villard Street
which should be denied based upon safety issues/concerns. Vehicular visibility is already an
issue at many intersections on the north side of Main and granting this variance will further
exacerbate an already dangerous situation.
The building exterior design elements must ensure the building blends in as best as possible.
Using mixed materials (e.g. wood, brick) to “soften” the visual impact from such a towering
(anything four stories or higher). The adjacent mixed-use building to the south do NOT go far
enough in this regard.
The plans, as submitted by Homebase, are not consistent with the city’s published goals and
objectives as published in the Bozeman Community Plan (goals N-1 and N-4) and the Bozeman
Strategic Plan (seeking to promote “safe, healthy, welcoming and inclusive community.”). A
large mass and scale building with no character undermines these community-based goals
benefitting neighbors and residents. The nature of their proposed developments needs to
modified and cut back to accommodate its residential setting. Limiting its height to four
stories will go a long way in achieving this objective.
Thank you, in advance,
Michael Miller on behalf of Miller Montana Holdings, LLC.