HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-23-22 Public Comment - M. Wictor - Affordable Housing & concerns for reducing parkingFrom:Mary Wictor
To:Agenda
Subject:Public Comment 8/23/2022(b) ~ Affordable Housing & concerns for reducing parking
Date:Tuesday, August 23, 2022 12:02:39 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you
recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Dear agenda@bozeman.net for City Commission, City Manager, and City Staff + Planning as appropriate
(including Economic Dev.)
Tonight's 8/23/2022 City Commission meeting J.3 Agenda item is on Text Amendments for Affordable
Housing, Ord 2105, BMC 38.380.
Since participating in a Round Table last fall on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, plus multiple meetings
discussing Affordable Housing, the issue of PARKING seems to be still a problem--and should NOT be
allowed to simply be reduced in efforts to get Affordable Housing.
If the City of Bozeman gives relaxations from building adequate parking, this will adversely impact the
area, commerce, communities and neighborhoods, as I have warned in my past comments.
I also have virtually attended some Economic Vitality Board meetings and I recall hearing City Staff David
Fine say the following:
+While the City of Bozeman has been offering relaxations to (or less parking requirements), no builders
have been doing that due to the market demands that there be parking needed by renters/owners
+Builders do NOT do that much better with just taller and taller buildings--because at about four (4)
stories the construction type changes from wood to steel/I-beams and a whole different kind of
construction.
-->Thus, giving taller buildings and providing less parking does NOT seem to be a good means to try to
gain Housing Affordability NOR Affordable Housing.
I have also spoken and written in multiple times about the Missing Middle housing. I applaud the City of
Bozeman for making ADUs more simple to permit and build--but they are the most, or at least one of the
most cost-expensive per SF of any type of buildings per # of units.
Bozeman has only about 6% Duplexes, and very few of cottage homes and courtyard buildings, and lacks
many of the Missing Middle Housing types shown in the graphic copyrighted by Opticos Design on page
145 of 148 in the 2020 Community Plan growth policy.
What is needed for Affordablle Housing and also would aid Housing Affordability is MORE MISSING
MIDDLE HOUSING, and NOT less parking--which the latter can and will hurt not only the Affordable
Housing but also the communities/neighbhors and areas surrounding.
SUGGESTIONS:
+Make each development/redevelopment INDICATE where the parking is available, so that it doesn't
sprawl and spill over onto others.
For example, if adding an ADU or building a Duplex... the parking must be INSIDE THE GARAGE(s), or
on the PAD just outside the garage. Do NOT allow people to add renters or dwellings who have their
garages stuffed with storage and have to use the street parking or neighbor's for added vehicles.
+Make sure there is enough parking for an area so that small businesses and commercial areas will be
able to accommodate sufficent visitors for those commerces to survive and thrive now and over time.
Parking is an issue, and less stalls and spaces will NOT be a valid alternative or solution for AffordableHousing until valid TRANSIT options exist and are efficient with costs low or attractive/reasonable.
Sincerely, Mary Wictorowner: 1504 Boylan Rd, Bozeman, MT