HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-02-22 Public Comment - A. Haller - North Central AppealFrom:Ann Haller
To:Agenda
Subject:North Central Development - Public Comment
Date:Wednesday, March 2, 2022 10:41:31 PM
Attachments:Public Comment - North Central.pdf
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Please find attached my comments on the North Central Development to be reviewed nextweek.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at this email address or my cell
phone: 406.600.4577.
Thank you.
Ann Haller
Public Comment on the North Central Development
To the Members of the City Commission,
As a 20+ year resident of the 500 block of N. Tracy, I will be a close neighbor to the North Central Development that is up for review. I respect the city’s goals for addressing the housing shortage in our area through higher density building in town, but I have great concerns about some aspects of the North Central project.
1)At a height of 6 stories/ 70 ft., the buildings to be located directly adjacent to the historic district of small to medium-sized 1 to 1/12 story homes would be extremely disproportionate. They will loom over the neighborhood homes, making a jarring, incongruous presence. This is contrary to my understanding of the city’s objectives of preserving the character of neighborhoods and ensuring appropriate transitions between new developments and existing homes.
2)We have a housing shortage in our town — but most importantly we have an affordable housing shortage. I recognize that prime downtown real estate may not be the perfect spot for a large block of low income housing. On the other hand, creating towering buildings in that location seems to be clearly designed by the developers to target very wealthy buyers interested in penthouse views made possible by the dwarfed, low profile homes in the area. These same buyers are likely to have a second home elsewhere. How does this help us in addressing the need we have to house families, workers, and other “regular” Bozeman folk?
I ask that you review the North Central Development plan with a broad lens. Even if you determine that the development meets the letter of the regulations, please keep the larger picture of the community in mind. We can pack in buildings and go ever higher in the very heart of historic Bozeman changing the town into a dense urban center, or we can keep a steady focus on maintaining the town’s sense of community and place by not approving structures that literally and figuratively overshadow the existing neighborhoods. Please require adjustments to the plan that bring the scale back in line with its surroundings.
Thank you for you consideration.
Regards,
Ann Haller
517 N. Tracy Ave.
Bozeman, MT 59715
406-600-4577
annhaller100@gmail.com