HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-28-22 Public Comment - D. Carty - Opposition to Fowler Ave Connection Road ProjectFrom:Daniel Carty
To:Agenda
Subject:Opposition to Fowler Ave Connection Road Project
Date:Thursday, July 28, 2022 10:49:44 AM
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Dear City Commissioners and Transportation Advisory Board:
Introduction
I am writing to add to my previously written comments (Jun 30 and Jul 21, 2022) opposing theFowler Ave Connection (FAC) road project. Specifically, I am writing today (Jul 28, 2022) tooppose the FAC road project as proposed in the Jul, 2022, Fowler Staff Report (pre-design)that will be considered for approval by the Bozeman City Commission (CC) on Aug 2, 2022.
The key elements of the FAC road project that will be considered for approval by the CC on
Aug 2, 2022, are:
1. One travel lane in each direction; 2. Turn lanes as needed; 3. Traffic signal intersection control at the intersection of Babcock Street; 4. Roundabout intersection control at the intersection of Durston Road;
5. Shared use path on at least one side of the corridor; and
6. Utilization of flexible design criteria to provide context sensitive solutions with a goal of
preserving existing tree canopy.
I oppose this “2-lane” FAC road project proposal because it does not comply with sections of atleast three Bozeman City Plans and does not provide in perpetuity protection for the existingwetland habitat, which depends for its existence on keeping the Section Line Ditch open, above
ground, and flowing. My arguments are as follows:
FAC project does not comply with Bozeman Strategic Plan Part 6 SustainableEnvironment, Subpart 6.6 Habitat and does not comply with the intent of the GallatinValley Sensitive Lands Protection Plan
The FAC road project does not comply with the Bozeman Strategic Plan Part 6 Sustainable
Environment, Subpart 6.6 Habitat, which commits the City of Bozeman (City) to “Work with
partner organizations to identify at-risk, environmentally sensitive parcels that contribute to
water quality, wildlife corridors, and wildlife habitat.” This commitment by the City will bemanifested in late 2023 as the Gallatin Valley Sensitive Lands Protection Plan (GVSLPP; seealso City Commission Resolution 5368). However, the catch-22 for the largely greenspacecorridor between Oak and Babcock streets in the path of the FAC road project is that FAC road
construction could begin as early as spring 2023. Arguably, the largely greenspace corridor
between Oak and Babcock streets deserves a priori protection under the in-development
GVSLPP because this corridor is ecologically important, environmentally sensitive, contributes
to water quality, wildlife corridors, and wildlife habitat--and it is at risk from FAC road project
construction.
FAC road project does not fully comply with Bozeman Community Plan 2020, Theme 4
The FAC Road project does not comply with some of the goals of the Bozeman Community
Plan 2020, Theme 4 (pgs. 35-38). Theme 4 is titled “A City Influenced by Our Natural
Environment, Parks, and Open Lands,” and Theme 4 emphasizes that “[Bozeman] is home toan outdoor-conscious population that honors and protects our natural environment and ourwell-managed open space and parks system.” The FAC Road project does not honor and
protect our natural environment because it does not comply with the following:
Goal EPO 1.1: Coordinate the location of existing and future parks to create opportunities for
linear parks to connect larger parks. Prioritize quality locations and features in parks overquantity of parks;
Goal EPO 1.5: Work with partner organizations to identify and reduce impacts on at-risk,
environmentally sensitive areas that contribute to water quality, wildlife corridors, or wildlife
habitat, specifically wildlife habitat as we continue outward growth; and
Goal EPO 2.3: Identify, prioritize, and preserve key wildlife habitat and corridors.
Arguably, the largely greenspace corridor between Oak and Babcock streets is an
environmentally sensitive corridor that contributes to water quality and provides key wildlife
habitat; hence, this corridor would make an excellent linear park that could be connected to
larger parks.
FAC road project does not fully comply with Bozeman Climate Plan 2020
The FAC Road project does not comply with the Bozeman Climate Plan 2020, Action Items
6.P.1 and 6.P.3:
Action 6.P.1: Protect Local Wetlands for Flood Resilience and Water Quality
Action 6.P.3: Enhance Greenspace and Carbon Sequestration for New Development
Arguably, the FAC road project will not help protect the existing wetland habitat between Oak
and Babcock streets, and it will not enhance greenspace or enhance carbon sequestration.Instead, the FAC road project will degrade or destroy the existing wetland habitat between Oakand Babcock streets (especially if the Section Line Ditch is placed underground into a culvert),and the FAC road project will decrease carbon sequestration.
Summary and Conclusion
In conclusion, I request that the Bozeman CC not approve the FAC road project as it iscurrently proposed in the Jul, 2022, Fowler Staff Report (pre-design). Instead, I ask that theBozeman CC put the FAC road project on hold until the project can be brought into full
compliance with Bozeman’s Strategic Plan, Community Plan, and Climate Plan; until the
project can be re-evaluated under a finalized GVSLPP; and until the City can guarantee in
perpetuity protection for the existing wetland habitat, which depends for its existence on
keeping the Section Line Ditch open, above ground, and flowing.
Sincerely,
Daniel G. Carty
213 N. Third Ave.
Bozeman, MT 59715
406-548-2810
P.S. Links to relevant documents:
Daniel G. Carty's previous written public comment re: Fowler Ave Connection road project:
6-30-22: https://weblink.bozeman.net/WebLink/DocView.aspx?
id=262180&dbid=0&repo=BOZEMAN
7-21-22: https://weblink.bozeman.net/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=262901&dbid=0&repo=BOZEMAN
Fowler Staff Report (pre-design; Jul 2022)
https://legistarweb-
production.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/attachment/pdf/1482282/20220724_FINAL_Fowler_pre-design_Staff_Report.pdf Bozeman Strategic Plan, Part 6, Subpart 6.6 Habitat
https://strategic-plan-bozeman.opendata.arcgis.com/pages/sustainable-environment
Bozeman City Commission Resolution 5368 (Priorities for 2022 and 2023)
https://weblink.bozeman.net/WebLink/DocView.aspx?
id=258536&dbid=0&repo=BOZEMAN&cr=1 Gallatin Valley Sensitive Lands Protection Plan, authorization memo https://d2kbkoa27fdvtw.cloudfront.net/bozeman/fc02068388358d3ee1f006595540279d0.pdf
Bozeman Community Plan 2020, Theme 4 (pgs. 35-38)
https://www.bozeman.net/home/showpublisheddocument/9641/637569495373030000
Bozeman Climate Plan 2020 (pgs.149 and 151) https://weblink.bozeman.net/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=254994&dbid=0&repo=BOZEMAN&cr=1