HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-01-21 Public Comment - R. Craighead - The IvesFrom:Ron Craighead
To:Agenda
Cc:Ross Knapper
Subject:Project #21165, Ives development
Date:Friday, October 1, 2021 11:28:22 AM
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RE: Project #21165, Ives development
Dear Commissioners:
I am voicing my opposition to this proposed development for the following reasons:
This proposed development will impose a 6-story multi-use structure right next to
single family homes in a predominantly historic residential neighborhood. It is in these
neighborhoods in which families have grown up and is largely comprised of working
people who have lived here for decades, if not generations. I am one of them. I have
paid taxes to the city as a resident or business owner for 28 years and have lived in
the valley for 33 years.
It is these established historic neighborhoods that truly define the heart and character
of Bozeman – NOT the sterile, dreary, high-density, multi-story developments
proposed by Home Base that look like something out of 1960 East Berlin. Are you
really willing to allow profit-driven corporations like Home Base to destroy these truly
unique, working-family neighborhoods?
I am not against responsible development in appropriate locations. However this
proposal – to allow a 6-story multi-use development adjacent to established single-
family homes – many built 70-100 years ago - is NOT APPROPRIATE. These historic
neighborhoods are a tremendous asset to our city – and once gone can never be
replaced.
It is time for our city government to recognize the importance of and start protecting
these historic districts from the kind of encroachment imposed by development
corporations like Home Base.
I propose a minimum 1-block buffer zone around these established neighborhoods
where new construction is limited to existing adjacent height variance - two stories,
regardless of zoning – and a moratorium on approving any existing or future
proposals in excess of two stories in these areas.
In 2019, when commissioners approved the zoning change on this parcel from R4 to
B3, we were told there would not be a ‘Black-Olive’-type structure there because it is
surrounded by residential zoning on 3 sides - and that this was a ‘transitional zone’,
therefore this kind of structure would be inappropriate. It is time for you – our City
Commissioners - to create specific guidelines to identify and protect these ‘transitional
zones’ in our city. Apparently, existing city guidelines and policies are insufficient.
The Ives proposal offers absolutely no consideration for a ‘transition zone’ between
established, historic residential neighborhoods and this 6-story abomination.
Furthermore, Holoran’s offer to plant two trees to ‘soften’ that transition is insulting.
I also ask you to deny the Home Base request to bypass city driveway variance
based on traffic safety issues. The increase in traffic, as we’ve seen with Black-Olive,
will create a major safety issue at the corner of Willson and Villard as it is. No need to
make it worse by moving the driveway entrance closer to that intersection.
Sincerely,
Ron Craighead
North 3rd - Midtown