HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-21-22 Public Comment - J. DiMarco - recent request to expand downtown zoning districtFrom:jerrydimarco@mail.com
To:Agenda
Subject:recent request to expand downtown zoning district
Date:Friday, January 21, 2022 3:52:39 PM
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I am writing to urge City Commissioners to not allow further expansion of the B-3
downtown zoning district. The district has already expanded well beyond the old Grand toRouse, and Babcock to Mendenhall boundaries. Every time the downtown expands, it puts
that much more pressure on adjacent property values, which in turn exacerbates the affordablehousing problem.
As long as there is the possibility of the downtown enlarging its footprint, developers willbe speculating on the next properties to be developed and driving up property values in
that area. The pressure spreads outward in a domino effect, and more homes becomeunaffordable. Preserving existing affordable housing is supposed to be one of the goals of the
Community Housing Plan. It is time to bring affordable housing to the top of the list of problems to be solved. That
means the effect on affordable housing must be considered in every project or action. Thedowntown does not need to grow, the Commercial Districts exist to serve Bozeman's
expanding population. We need to halt the spread of the downtown and preserve theaffordable housing adjacent to it. Please consider this as we move forward to solve the
affordable housing problem. Thank you for your time,
Jerry DiMarco
Bozeman