HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-02-22 Public Comment - D. & C. Cleveland - adopting Infill regulationsFrom:D & C Cleveland
To:Agenda
Subject:adopting Infill regulations
Date:Wednesday, February 2, 2022 3:05:12 PM
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Dear City Commissioners,
Infill is the process whereby vacant land within existing neighborhoods is allowed to be developed, usually with greater density. It has the desired effect of slowing sprawl, and
providing needed housing. The Bozeman Planning Department needs to write Infill regulations for the entire city to guide it and the City Commissioners in the process of
determining what infill projects are worthy of approval. Ideally, these regulations vary depending upon the specific location. For example, infill regulations in Portland OR, vary
from neighborhood to neighborhood to allow change but preserve cherished aspects of the individual neighborhood’s character.
Right now, the only Bozeman guidelines are general regulations under each zoning district and a special overlay zone for the the central part of the city, the neighborhood conservation
overlay district. This encompasses the historic district. The general guidelines stress that new growth should be compatible with the character of the area. It is not hard to analyze the
character of the existing neighborhood by housing type, housing style, street layout, exterior materials, street patterns, etc., and use those characteristics to guide infill in each unique
neighborhood. It’s an analytical examination and It is not subjective at all.
In fact, many western cities have adopted infill regulations for each unique section of their
city. Portland divided their city into districts, met with residents of each area to determine their perceived nature of the area and then laid out the rules on how to preserve the character of
their individual neighborhoods while embracing infill.
Bozeman will continue to grow. What is most important? Simply slowing “sprawl” by
approving infill that is not compatible with the immediate neighborhood surroundings, using inappropriate buildings that ruin established neighborhoods? There should a balance but this
can happen only if the city adopts infill regulations that recognize the character of each neighborhood, protect it and allow appropriate infill.
Such regulations would provide everything Bozeman is looking for: happy neighbors welcoming infill and easing the housing shortage while preserving the sense of place and the
character of the area.
We should adopt Portland’s Comprehensive Plan:
1. Encourage new developments to respond to the positive qualities of the place where they are to be built and to enhance that place through their development.
2. Respect the fabric of established neighborhoods when undertaking infill development projects.
3. While accommodating increased density build on the attractive qualities that distinguish the area. Add new building types to established areas with care and respect for the context that
past generations of builders have provided.
Charlotte Cleveland308 Slough Creek Dr.
Bozeman, MT 59718284-2452