HomeMy WebLinkAbout004.1 Departure RequestSynergy Engineering
and Konsulting
Synergy Engineering and Konsulting · 3731 Equestrian Lane STE 102, Bozeman, MT 59718 · 406-624-6137
February 7, 2023 (Revised) City of Bozeman Planning 121 N Rouse Ave
Bozeman, MT 59715 RE: Departure Request Narrative - Sundance Springs Comm Lot 2 Phase 1B Site Plan Submittal Per the Changemark comments received from Bozeman City Planning Department on April 15,
2022, three departures are requested from the City of Bozeman’s Block Frontage Standards:
1. A departure is being requested for the following Bozeman Municipal Code section:
38.510.020.F.1, Multiple Block Frontages
Departure is requested per BMC 38.510.020.F.1.d: “Departures may be considered
provided the location and front orientation of the buildings are compatible with the
character of the area and enhance the character of the street. “
Lot dimensions are such that both proposed buildings cannot present primary frontage
towards Little Horse Drive. The East Building presents its’ primary frontage to the proposed
neighborhood trail extension (meeting option 38.510.010.F.1.b), with alternative frontage
towards the proposed parking lot (meeting option 38.510.010.F.1.c). Frontage along South
3rd Avenue is not desirable in the location due to the low-density agricultural/residential
character of the existing neighborhood and traffic speed on South 3rd Ave . None of the
nearby subdivision development fronts to South 3rd Avenue. A landscape berm is proposed to
shield this project from view from South 3rd Avenue. Trail frontage will encourage pedestrian
use of the site, which supports the vision for this project as a walkable neighborhood
commercial hub.
2. A departure is being requested for the following Bozeman Municipal Code section:
38.510.020.F.7, Parking Adjacent to Street Corner
The presence of the 13.47 foot wide strip of open space between Comm Lot 2 and S 3rd
eliminates the need for this departure request as it is not a true corner.
3. A departure is being requested for the following Bozeman Municipal Code section:
38.510.030.C, Landscape Block Frontage Parking Standards
Departure is requested per BMC Table 38.510.030.C, “Parking must be placed to the
side, rear, below or above uses. For single and multi-building developments, surface and
structured parking areas (ground floor) are limited to no more than 50% of the street
frontage.” Applicable departure criteria per BMC 38.510.030.3.d: “Parking
location. There must be an acceptable tradeoff in terms of the amount and quality of
storefront area that is integrated with the development and the applicable parking
location departure. Plus, the alternative must include design features to successfully
Synergy Engineering
and Konsulting
Synergy Engineering and Konsulting · 3731 Equestrian Lane STE 102, Bozeman, MT 59718 · 406-624-6137
mitigate the visual impact of additional parking areas along designated storefront
streets.”
The parking configuration on this lot has been designed to maximize the use of designated
open space to the rear of the site and to suit the character of the existing neighborhood.
Parking spaces between Little Horse Drive and the front of the building increase the
available number of parking spaces while providing a contiguous open space/parkland feel
behind the buildings adjacent to the existing open space, trails, and Middle Creek Ditch.
The addition of the landscaped berm along the west property boundary shields the parking
from South 3rd Avenue. Two-story buildings along this frontage would not match the low-
density agricultural/residential feel of the adjacent neighborhoods. The tradeoff for this
requested parking departure is open space for recreation and riparian buffer along Middle
Creek Ditch creating a better experience for the intended users.
Please see Civil Drawing C-101 “Site Plan” for building and parking configuration proposed
for Comm Lot 2.