HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-28-22 Public Comment - C. Johnson - Oppose Fowler Ave Connection Project_ My Complete Statement Opposing the Fowler Connection PlanFrom:Carla Peck Johnson
To:Agenda; Carla Peck Johnson
Subject:Oppose Fowler Ave Connection Project: My Complete Statement Opposing the Fowler Connection Plan. The last
two paragraphs I was unable to read because of time constraints.
Date:Thursday, July 28, 2022 9:09:32 PM
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Thank you all for having us here to express our opinions.
My name is Carla Jasinski, and I live at 406 Fowler Avenue.
In addition to all the issues already mentioned, I am concerned about the values andsale-ability of our houses on Fowler Avenue and in the surrounding neighborhood.
In February of 2012 at the tail end of the recession, I bought a lot in Fowler
Subdivision for $31,500, not remotely possible in today's market. Two of mydaughters live here as well as my three grandsons, and I wanted to be closer to
them. I am also a 1971 graduate of Bozeman Senior High School and knew thebeauty of the area.
When the number 406 was assigned to my lot, I told my husband that we need to
build a house there. We did build a modest home with the help of the sale of myHavre house and a small inheritance.
When our house was appraised after it was built in late 2017, the appraisal value was
$383,000. Through the years, the property value continued to increase with the latestZillow value showing $637,100.
My realtor friend Page Huyette is well aware of what is in the plans for Fowler
Avenue. When I asked her what effect this 3 to 5 lane road going through would haveon the value of our homes, she said they won't decrease right away. Page and I had
a lengthy conversation about the city's master plan, grids, etc., with issues boilingdown to our home values and our quality of life. Houses such as those on
Sweetgrass, New Holland and those in the surrounding neighborhoods will also beaffected.
The last advice Page gave me was to sell our houses before the building starts on
Fowler. She stressed the fact that the market for houses on a busy street willplummet. Even if the values maintain, the market for our houses will be nearly
nothing. People do not like to live on busy streets, she said. We won't be able to sellour houses for market value, if at all. Houses are a family's biggest investment as
they accrue value over time. That equity to me is considered generational as when Idie, my children will split any equity, just as I used generational equity from the sale of
my father's house to build the house on Fowler.
Would you all please put yourselves in our places, be understanding and empatheticwhen you make your final decision on the Fowler Connection plan? This is an
opportunity for Bozeman to do the RIGHT thing, which is what I call integrity. I hopeyou will use your integrity.