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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-21-21 Public Comment - V. Lyons - Canyon GateFrom:Victoria Lyons To:Agenda Cc:Andrew Lyons MD Subject:Letter in Opposition to the Proposed Zoning for Canyon Gate Development Date:Tuesday, December 21, 2021 11:45:04 AM Attachments:CanyonGate.12.2021.lttr.docx CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Andrew & Victoria Lyons 1691 Maiden Spirit StreetBozeman, MT 59715 Tuesday, December 21, 2021 City CommissionersCity of Bozeman20 East Olive StreetBozeman, MT 59771 Dear Commissioners, We oppose the proposed zoning for the Canyon Gate development (Project 21337)located at the corner of Story Mill and Bridger Drive. Bozeman is one of the fastest growingareas in the country. Growth of any place, to be successful, must be both thoughtful andconsiderate. We endorse and support the continued growth and diversification of Bozemanand understand that this particular parcel will and should be developed. However, the zoningplan proposed by Homebase is in direct conflict with the Community Plan zoning criteria inmultiple areas. The high-density zoning of this area is: 1. not compatible with the current transportation system and infrastructure;2. incongruent with the character of the district; and3. is not an appropriate use of the land. Most importantly the negative impacts of the proposed zoning will not outweigh anyperceived benefits of this type of development in this particular area of Bozeman. The lack of infrastructure in regards to the train tracks is already a safety issue. As we all know all of the city’s emergency services are located on the South side of the traintracks and if the train is blocking the tracks it could take up to twenty minutes for emergencyservices to reach our neighborhood when the standard response time should be four. The ideathat adding more people who are using the train crossings would not impact this problemsimply makes no sense . In fact adding “high-hazard” high- rise buildings would compoundthe risk. The area in question is unique in its attributes, both physical and environmental. It islocated in the mouth of the canyon between the Story Hills and the Bridger Mountains as wellas sitting adjacent to Bridger Creek. The area is an active wildlife corridor for moose, deer,black bear, and wild turkeys, among others. The proposed high-density zoning would destabilize the preexisting wildlife corridor and its water supply. Placing 5+ story buildings inthis small area would not be in line with the Community Plan’s requirement that developments be in harmony with the natural environment. The area is isolated and therefore unsuitable for the B2M zoning request because thattype of zoning is intended to serve a broader trade area. The neighborhoods surrounding the parcel do not comprise a broader trade area because of their unique location. Making thistype of high-density, commercial development and inappropriate use of the land. Taking into account the above reasons (as well as numerous others) the negative impacts of the proposed zoning request will not outweigh the supposed benefits. We view thegrowth of Bozeman as a force of positive change. And we unequivocally favor both the thoughtful and considerate development of this particular section of land. But the mission ofHomebase Partners in their Canyon Gate development is incongruent with the City of Bozeman’s mission statement for local development, as it is also both inconsiderate anddetrimental to the existing Bridger Canyon community. We urge you to consider the above concerns and advocate for Bozeman’s continued growth while maintaining the community’score values. Thank you for your consideration of this important matter. Kind regards, The Lyons Family Andrew, Victoria, Jasper (8) & Imogen (5) Andrew & Victoria Lyons 1691 Maiden Spirit Street Bozeman, MT 59715 Tuesday, December 21, 2021 City Commissioners City of Bozeman 20 East Olive Street Bozeman, MT 59771 Dear Commissioners, We oppose the proposed zoning for the Canyon Gate development (Project 21337) located at the corner of Story Mill and Bridger Drive. Bozeman is one of the fastest growing areas in the country. Growth of any place, to be successful, must be both thoughtful and considerate. We endorse and support the continued growth and diversification of Bozeman and understand that this particular parcel will and should be developed. However, the zoning plan proposed by Homebase is in direct conflict with the Community Plan zoning criteria in multiple areas. The high-density zoning of this area is: 1. not compatible with the current transportation system and infrastructure; 2. incongruent with the character of the district; and 3. is not an appropriate use of the land. Most importantly the negative impacts of the proposed zoning will not outweigh any perceived the benefits of this type of development in this particular area of Bozeman. The lack of infrastructure in regards to the train tracks is already a safety issue. As we all know all of the city’s emergency services are located on the South side of the train tracks and if the train is blocking the tracks it could take up to twenty minutes for emergency services to reach our neighborhood when the standard response time should be four. The idea that adding more people who are using the train crossings would not impact this problem simply makes no sense. In fact adding “high-hazard” high- rise buildings would compound the risk. The area in question is unique in its attributes, both physical and environmental. It is located in the mouth of the canyon between the Story Hills and the Bridger Mountains as well as sitting adjacent to Bridger Creek. The area is an active wildlife corridor for moose, deer, black bear, and wild turkeys, among others. The proposed high-density zoning would destabilize the preexisting wildlife corridor and its water supply. Placing 5+ story buildings in this small area would not be in line with the Community Plan’s requirement that developments be in harmony with the natural environment. The area is isolated and therefore unsuitable for the B2M zoning request because that type of zoning is intended to serve a broader trade area. The neighborhoods surrounding the parcel do not comprise a broader trade area because of their unique location. Making this type of high-density, commercial development and inappropriate use of the land. Taking into account the above reasons (as well as numerous others) the negative impacts of the proposed zoning request will not outweigh the supposed benefits. We view the growth of Bozeman as a force of positive change. And we unequivocally favor both the thoughtful and considerate development of this particular section of land. But the mission of Homebase Partners in their Canyon Gate development is incongruent with the City of Bozeman’s mission statement for local development, as it is also both inconsiderate and detrimental to the existing Bridger Canyon community. We urge you to consider the above concerns and advocate for Bozeman’s continued growth while maintaining the community’s core values. Thank you for your consideration of this important matter. Kind regards, The Lyons Family Andrew, Victoria, Jasper (8) and Imogen (5)