HomeMy WebLinkAboutCarShareRequestLetter_7-1-21Request Letter for Car Share 07-01-2021!
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Bozeman Cohousing has requested to have a car share arrangement with three cars to reduce the
number of required parking spaces for our development. As you may know, Bozeman Cohousing is a
unique project where future residents have been working with an architectural firm to design a
neighborhood that works for us and the lives we want to live. There is a strong emphasis on
sustainability within our group, and while we recognize the benefits of reduced parking spaces by
having a car share, to us the benefits are much greater and include being able to utilize the most
efficient vehicle or choose other forms of transportation that allow for a healthier lifestyle and a healthier
planet.!!
Bozeman Cohousing will have forty 2 and 3 bedroom condominium units and 3 studios. All units will be
sold to Cohousing members and our Condo Association (COA) documents require less than 25% of
homes will be utilized as rentals. Garage and carport spaces are sold separately from homes (except
for two attached garages), but open parking is on a first come, first served basis. The COA has set
aside two carports for use by the car share program as well as one assigned open parking space.
These spaces, and signage to indicate such, are designated on the site plan.!!
Attached to this letter is our car share management plan. We recognize and agree that this plan must
be approved by the Director of Community Development and reviewed annually. On June 9th, 2021 we
met with members of the City and were asked to supply information about the following four items:!!
1)Insurance Company: We are currently working with Peggy Bishop from Bishopbend Insurance
Services to get a policy through US Choice Insurance. She has stipulated that our car share club
form as an LLC, and that each member (driver) have personal auto insurance either with an existing
vehicle or as a non-owned policy. We will be setting up an LLC prior to moving in to the property,
and the requirement for personal auto insurance has been written into our Management Plan (item
#12).!
2)Identify vehicles: Current cohousing members have committed to donate or sell three vehicles to
the car share group once our LLC has be set up. These vehicles include a Chevy Leaf, a Toyota
Prius and a Ford Ranger. Additional information about these vehicles is included in a separate
sheet attached to this letter.!
3)How we will assess fees to cover the costs of operation: Our Management plan outlines an initial
membership fee (item #3); a monthly membership fee (item #5); an hourly rate for using a vehicle
(item #7), and a mileage rate for using a vehicle (item #8). In addition, at our member meeting held
on June 17th, 2021, our community consented to covering any additional expenses with Condo
Association (COA) funds for the first two years that the car share club is in operation. This will
provide financial viability to the car share program, not put undue financial burden on those who
choose to participate, and allow us time to adjust our fee schedule, if needed.!
4)How we will own the vehicles/car share program: The insurance company we are working with has
requested that we hold the vehicles and pay insurance through an LLC. We have begun the initial
process of establishing an LLC and it will be in place prior to move-in to the community.!!!!
The Bozeman Cohousing Car-Share Club