HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-11-22 Public Comment - T. Wilkinson - DevelopmentFrom:agenda@bozeman.net
To:Agenda
Subject:Thank you for your public comment.
Date:Sunday, September 11, 2022 4:22:25 PM
A new entry to a form/survey has been submitted.
Form Name:Public Comment Form
Date & Time:09/11/2022 4:22 PM
Response #:1690
Submitter ID:52938
IP address:2600:6c67:527f:814f:243d:905:b3d7:ec68
Time to complete:18 min. , 29 sec.
Survey Details
Page 1
Public comment may be submitted via the form below, or by any of the following options.
Public comment may also be given at any public meeting.
Email:
agenda@bozeman.net
Mail to:
Attn: City Commission
PO Box 1230
Bozeman, MT 59771
First Name Todd
Last Name Wilkinson
Email Address tawilk@aol.com
Phone Number 4065874876
Comments
September 11, 2022
Dear Mayor Andrus, Deputy Mayor Cunningham and Commission Colleagues,
As you know, I have been a longtime resident of Bozeman who raised his now-grown children here, been
involved with historic preservation in Bozeman, been a committed volunteer to community causes and, as a
professional environmental journalist whose work appears in national publications, spent more than 35
years writing about growth-related issues.
Over the years, I have had countless conversations with present and former mayors, commissioners,
members of planning staff and other experts about growth issues in Bozeman. I am writing this letter as an
informed citizen in strong opposition to the proposal to shift the zoning at 116 South 8th from R4 to R5.
While I respect each of you for your service to Bozeman, I, along with many, many, many other long-time
citizens who have given much to this town, are alarmed by the haphazard, thoughtless and reactionary
approach to planning and zoning the city is taking. You are sacrificing the very things that make Bozeman a
jewel.
Growth has overwhelmed city staff and left the planning department nearly paralyzed, unable to keep up
with the onslaught of development. This proves that growth does not pay for itself.
In addition to your impetuous, misguided strategies centered around infill, which have done little to halt
exurban sprawl sweeping across our sweet valley or address affordable housing, your policies are recklessly
destroying the character of Bozeman’s historic neighborhoods—historic districts that are nationally
renowned. By allowing this to happen, you are destroying the character of our community. Let it be noted
for the record: I am not “anti-change” or “anti-growth;” what I am opposed to is weak, reactionary planning
and growth policies that are dumb—and demonstrably so.
The proposed zoning change at 116 South 8th represents a poster child for poor planning that sets a bad
precedent. It will lead to more deterioration of nearby neighborhoods. I can cite example after example of
similar projects that have caused harm to the neighborhoods; moreover, there are many projects that have
evaded regulatory enforcement of the planning and zoning department, including houses converted to
short-term rentals that already have exacted negatively transforming impacts on neighborhoods.
Weakening planning and zoning will not lead to a better Bozeman, nor is there any proof it will lead to
“more affordable housing” for working class folk and young people in the city core.
Instead, focus intense commercial development and the increased traffic and parking problems in the
places where it should be concentrated. You are foisting the costs of growth on all of us, disproportionate
to other places, and, sadly, you have caused many longtime residents who loved this city to leave Bozeman
out of lack of confidence in city decision-making.
I am happy to have a longer more detailed discussion about Bozeman’s misguided approach to growth with
each you, based upon my thorough investigation of growth issues.
You can do better. You must do better. We deserve better. It is time to step back, take a time out, and
actually listen to your constituents who must live with the consequences of narrow-minded thinking,
particularly those who have worked hardest to maintain the very things that make Bozeman great.
Thank you for your time.
Best regards,
Todd Wilkinson
322 South 7th Avenue
Bozeman
If you would like to submit additional documents (.pdf, .doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx, .gif, .jpg, .png, .rtf, .txt)
along with your comment, you may alternately address agenda@bozeman.net directly to ensure
receipt of all information.
Thank you,
City Of Bozeman
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