HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-01-22 Public Comment - J. Wruck - North Central AppealFrom:Jan Wruck
To:Agenda
Subject:Public Comments: 22005 - North Central Master Site Plan and North Central Block 4 Site Plan
Date:Tuesday, March 1, 2022 5:13:03 PM
Attachments:Public Comments related to Appeal 2205_March 1 2022.pdf
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Dear Commissioners,
Attached is a document that includes written comments related to the North Central MasterSite Plan and North Central Block 4 Site Plan. Please review and carefully consider these
comments when forming a decision related to this important topic. In addition, include thisdocument as part of the public recorder for the "appeal of an administrative project decision"
meeting on March 8, 2022.
With Kind Regards,
Joni Hagler, Barbara Seabury, and Jan Wruck
March 1, 2022
RE: Appeal number 22005
Dear Commissioners,
We are concerned with the entire North Central Master Site Plan and North Central Block 4 Site Plan
and its impact on the traditional neighborhood it encompasses. The all too numerous buildings
proposed, and their style and size have little if anything to do with criteria regarding integrity,
compatibility, and feeling presented in Sections 38.340.070 and 38.230.100. The buildings to be
constructed appear to be clones of Eastern United States urban development projects built simply to
maximize profit with a small dash of traditional design to hopefully satisfy critics. The architectural
rendering of these tall, boxy, flat roof buildings shows them in direct opposition to the surrounding
structures in both size and design.
As just one example of the disconnection between the plan under consideration and the intent of the
regulations being challenged is the “cash for parks” concept. Have we reached the point in Bozeman of
trading our beautiful open space for money? If so, what will Bozeman look like in future years? Open
space once it is lost does not return. Once a precedent is set to accept green money for green space, it
will be used by future developers as precedent. Bozeman is changing and growth handled well can have
positive results. Allowing companies with no attachment or concern for Bozeman to manipulate/modify
the rules in small increments eventually leads to mass unfettered development which is easily noted in
major cities around the country.
Putting more development in town will not save open space on the outskirts even though the city’s
growth plan passed in 2020 is aiming at that. Attempts to diminish open space outside of town will
meet with the usual objections from developers whose desires will often prevail.
The approval of the health care center for demolition and completion of it indicates the developer’s
plans are already being instituted. Conveniently, this showed structural weakness in the hospital
building. An independent survey should be conducted to 1. See if the removal of the care center building
added to or caused some of the hospital building deficits 2. Examine the entire hospital building for
structural soundness. Parenthetically, Mr. Holloran was quoted as saying they will make an effort to
salvage some pieces of the hospital building. Making an effort is not a satisfactory response. Much can
be salvaged from buildings such as the hospital and oversight needs to be done to be certain it occurs.
Please include this letter as part of the public record related to the North Central Master Site Plan and
North Central Block 4 Site Plan.
Respectfully,
Joni Hagler, Barbara Seabury, and Jan Wruck
Concerned women of Bozeman who seek responsible growth