HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-15-21 Public Comment - M. Schaad - Canyon Gate ZMA application #21337From:Mary Schaad
To:Agenda
Subject:Canyon Gate ZMA application #21337
Date:Wednesday, December 15, 2021 5:02:33 PM
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Dear Bozeman City Commissioners,
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on ZMA application #21337 (the proposed CanyonGate development at Bridger Canyon and Story Mill). I am not opposed to development for
the future benefit of the Bozeman community, including annexing the parcel in question intothe City. I have several concerns regarding this particular proposal.
The Zoning Commission recommended denial of HomeBase Partners’ requested rezoning ofthese 24 acres at the corner of Bridger and Story Mill. During public comment, only 12 people
spoke in support of the rezoning, at least 11 of whom are employees of / affiliated withHomeBase Partners. None revealed these affiliations to the commissioners. The one
commissioner who voted ‘yes’ said he was “swayed” by those few speakers because hethought they were speaking for the community.
I am in favor of zoning the land in question in accordance with what the City’s CommunityHousing Needs assessment says our community wants: a variety of townhomes, rowhouses,
duplexes and homes with small yards (R3 zoning). The lack of this type of housing inventoryis one factor pricing our local workforce and full-time residents out of Bozeman.
Another factor is unaffordable luxury development. It is my understanding that rents foravailable HomeBase apartments downtown ranged from 189% - 411% higher than the average
market rents (per the City’s Community Housing Needs Assessment), and a 1-bedroom condowas listed for $760,000. This is not the type of development that our community needs. More
luxury vacation units for out-of-staters worsens our community's housing crisis – but this isthe zoning requested on 15 acres of the project (B2M, REMU and R5).
I'm writing to urge the City Commission to accept the recommendation of the zoning
commission—and heed the wishes of over 300 local residents—and vote NO on Application#21337 Canyon Gate as it is proposed, or vote to approve with MAXIMUM densities of R3
and B1.
Thank you for your consideration,Mary Schaad