HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-20-21 Public Comment - L. Ziemer - Canyon GateFrom:Laura Ziemer
To:Agenda
Subject:Condition Zoning Change for Canyon Gate Development
Date:Monday, December 20, 2021 5:53:41 PM
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December 20, 2021
Bozeman City Commission
P.O. Box 1230
Bozeman, MT 59771
Dear Bozeman City Commissioners,
The currently-vacant, 24-acre area located on the northeast corner of Story Mill Road
and Bridger Drive is clearly appropriate for development. Given the significant
public and philanthropic investment in Story Mill Park and trail to the ‘M’ that
surrounds the site, however, conditions should be imposed on any zoning change to
preserve the integrity of this prior investment.
1. Condition Zoning Change on Significant Investment in View Shed
Protection and Open Space.
The Canyon Gate development must contribute to the significant public and
philanthropic investment in the surrounding wildlife corridors, recreational and park
areas, and protection of the viewshed of the Bridgers. Rather than benefit from and
privatize this significant public and philanthropic investment, Canyon Gate needs to
contribute to it and expand on it. To this end, please condition any zoning change on
a prohibition on relying on a “cash-in-lieu” payment for parks, and require instead a
significant contribution to open spaces in the neighborhood, including protection of
Story Mill Park’s viewshed to the north.
2. Condition Zoning Change on Height and Density Restriction.
The Canyon Gate development should be zoned for nothing higher than R-1 or R-2,
allowing for only residential and some light commercial uses. Four-story or higher
buildings are inappropriate due to the contrast with existing housing density and
traffic back-ups behind the train crossings. I urge that height restrictions be placed to
allow nothing higher than two stories. I have been a resident of this neighborhood
for over 15 years. As hundreds of homes and families have come to the neighborhood
during this time, they have managed to do so without destroying adequate space for
bears, deer, coyotes, foxes, beavers, birds and many other species of wildlife to
migrate into and through the area. Please limit Canyon Gate development to density
R-1 and R-2 to be consistent with the surrounding neighborhood and build on this
neighborhood’s past successes.
Thank you very much for the opportunity to comment.
Sincerely,
Laura Ziemer
317 North Ida Avenue
Bozeman, MT 59715