HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-27-22 Public Comment - C. Wester - Comments for So. 3rd Annexation and ZMA 21161From:C Wester
To:Agenda
Subject:Comments for So. 3rd Annexation and ZMA 21161
Date:Thursday, January 27, 2022 9:27:18 PM
Attachments:ZMA 21161 comments.pdf
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Dear Mayor and City Commission,
RE: South 3rd Annexation and ZMA 21161
I urge you to vote “NO” on the South 3rd Ave. Annexation and Zone Map Amendment
21161. This annexation brings a zoning designation along with it of a density 10 times what
should be allowed on an acre.
The staff report (page 11) for ZMA 21161 states that “Most of the goals and policies (of
Bozeman Community Plan 2020) are not applicable to this application.”
In looking at the “development review application” that would be tied to this application, it
is obvious why the staff report made this statement. Since this is a single rural-in-nature county
lot, the development process cannot be reviewed the same as a vacant city lot. This lot needs
to have different conditions placed on it because of this. The tests and studies that were done
for the housing in surrounding areas need to be completed on this 1 acre as well. Just looking
at a 1905 house structure itself is not enough, what is under this house and the 1 acre? Where
is the soil report and what is the extent of soil contamination from the septic system? By
hooking up this lot to the city water and sewer, how much contamination will enter the city water
through digging into a contaminated area? We as taxpayers don’t need to pay for another
lawsuit because a project was poorly sited (Old City Land fill site is an example).
Being south of the Museum of the Rockies (public institution land), the storm drainage
from this to-be-developed lot, will be ladened with petrochemicals from vehicles and pavement
and will have an adverse environmental effect on that land. This property is dotted with
numerous springs, branching streams, trees, waterfowl and urban wildlife.
The Executive Summary of the Bozeman Community Plan 2020 states that “the vast
majority of the City’s present and future built environment will be constructed by the private
sector responding to perceived demands.” Thus, the planning of the future of what once was a
beautiful city that took care in the design and placement of buildings, is placed in the hands of
private sector builders who can take away the rights of adjoining property owners, by appealing
to a “perceived demand”. The question then becomes is this demand a need?
The private sector builder has run the numbers on this zoning and annexation. The
development review application, the next step in this process, would have space for 44 cars. 44
residents as well? High-density = high profit.
The housing desperation that is implied by the Bozeman Community Plan, opens
Bozeman up to high density developments at any and all cost. It is owed to the residents of this
city to continue with the thoughtful planning that has occurred in the past, to protect and value
our environment, and to protect the health and well-being of our residents.
Don’t be pressured into this inappropriate ZMA 21161. Wrong plan, wrong place.
Vote NO.
Sincerely,
C Wester
Westridge Dr., Bozeman