HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-23-22 Public Comment - M. Wictor- PUD to PDZ valid concerns Ordinance 2104, Application 22133From:Mary Wictor
To:Agenda
Subject:Public Comment 8/23/2022(a) ~ PUD to PDZ valid concerns Ordinance 2104, Application 22133
Date:Tuesday, August 23, 2022 11:29:03 AM
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Dear agenda@bozeman.net for City Commission, City Manager & Attorney, & key City Staff especially for
Planning+ (as appropriate)
re: AGENDA J.2 8/23/2022 topic BMC 38.430.010 to .090 for PUD/PDZ; Ordinance 2104 under
App 22133
Please read & truly think about these points with regard to Planned Unit Development repeal / replace by
Planned Development Zone.
REMEMBER that the Community Development Board voted it down unanimously per their June 27, 2022
discussions.
Also, the ComDevBoard unanimously voted FOR their "novel" amendment put into your Commission
packet July 12; was sadly not used.
Fully consider the following:
PURPOSES
Phased development must be allowed in order to more successfully navigate external influences and/or
changing market conditions (e.g., housing downturns, COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain issues, markets'
stability, interest rates & fluctuations, etc.) It's essential!
Flexibility is and will be needed for certain projects and/or locations, or with developments to protect &
reflect sensitive lands, topography, geography, or other factors. [Often, "the land" and it's characteristics
& community "will tell" what the best uses may be--Uses now & into the future.] OTHER Options in code
and process are essential to allow development to work with the City, yet honor and respond to, plus offer
and provide interesting/novel aspects that a project's owners/developers might bring or help address in
the community/city, while also incorporating elements key to City/Commission PRIORITIES.
[ComDevBoard's amendment spoke to annual adoption of priorities.]
Thus, PUDs are and have been allowed in most cities across the USA being offered as "Planned Unit
Developments" (or by any other appropriate names) so that development can be done in stages, phased,
and work from a generalized site plan per desired attributes.
MOST IMPORTANTLY --> Once the master site-plan / conceptual drawings are agreeable, then building
permits can be directly sought.
-->Grant "authority" to go to and "pull" a building permit(s).
Yes, Building Permits can then be applied for directly, versus needing to go through additional loop(s) and
more/longer review times.
This last part is a key and critical aspect of PUDs, but is MISSING in the City of Bozeman in the current
PUD code, and STILL MISSING in the new PZD program/processes.
PROBLEMS
If there is a barrier-to-entry or "hurdle" to begin a process--the result is likely that NO ONE or less folks
will even consider or try to use that path (i.e., NOT choose PUD/PZD)
If longer timeframe is required, with additional loops for building permits/reviews on top of that, the costs
will be increased and also calculates to less predictability. For investors & builders, these will appear as a
big enough "turn offs" so PUD/PZD will not be used!
IT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE TO ADOPT NEW CODE THAT HAS BARRIERS OR IS NOT
ATTRACTIVE ENOUGH TO BE USED.
Per long-time City planner, Chris Saunders, presentations in June/July, PUDs in the past onlyasked/required more open space...
Then there were 11 items per Saunders slides, (though he did not detail what these were) and
for many of the PUDs implemented in the City of Bozeman, the process was actually Required.
Again, in Bozeman, a PUD vs regular subdivision tends to be more costly & time-consuming and overall
takes more time calendar time too--and that longer time can lead to lack of control and failure!
MY ASK:
For the City of Bozeman, and to achieve more of what is missing and needed, please make and/or ask for
changes TODAY to the PUD-to-PZD process and the code changes planned-and-in-front-of-you thisevening TUE August 23, 2022:
Modify PUDs to make them into useable, attractive, meaningful PZDs so that projects can occur,
implement phased in-step with markets and factors, PLUS provide essential and desired features orofferings that map to Commission priorities--providing what the City & communities and neighborhoodsneed and will benefit from in both the short-term and long-run.
+Ensure "other" category Cunningham/Commission proposed is legal and incorporates past and present+ future City and City Commission Priorities
+Make changes so that approved project site plans can "pull" Building Pemits, not requiring extra loopsand time for additional reviews.
BOTTOM LINE: Less overall work takes less $ & time, makes process more efficient and thus meaningfulto City, communities & advantages offer & desire in the outcomes.
Sincerely, Mary WictorOwner: 1504 Boylan Rd, andother properties in Bozeman & Gallatin County
P.S. I have not tried to "write code" to consider, but here are words that I read and like existing in the
current PUD BMC 38.430.010 - 090:
+promote maximum flexibility and innovation [not just 3 categories within affordable housing, historicpreservation, and sustainability]+opportunities for land development and redevelopment+high quality housing, recreation, shopping and employment+harmonious arrangement+encourage creativity and design excellence, contribute to community character, and fordeviations/relaxations granted