HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-03-22 Public Comment - J&J Jelinski - Agenda Item M.1. Parking Supply and Demand in Downtown Bozeman Work Session #2From:JACK and JANE JELINSKI
To:Agenda
Subject:Agenda Item M.1. Parking Supply and Demand in Downtown Bozeman Work Session #2
Date:Monday, October 3, 2022 4:33:44 PM
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We are glad to learn that the city and county are cooperating to develop a plan
to build a parking garage on the parking lot in back of the County Courthouse.
We encourage you to pursue this proposal ASAP since it is the one proposal
that appears to provide needed parking without damaging nearby residential
neighborhoods.
On the other hand, we oppose, again, continued consideration of paid parking
downtown and parking ”benefit” zones in surrounding residential
neighborhoods. It is obvious that paid parking downtown will push parking into
those neighborhoods, causing congestion, safety concerns and inappropriate
increase in traffic. Why do you continue to pursue these policies to put the
burden of parking on the backs of quality neighborhoods instead of on the
developers who are displacing workforce housing with luxury residences for
people who will not live in Bozeman full time?
We are aware of the city staff remarking that they have adopted a policy to
“sacrifice character and quality” of neighborhoods, contrary to the City
Commission’s formally adopted policies to preserve the Neighborhood
Conservation Overlay District (April, 2019). This makes no sense. Furthermore,
numerous hearings about “benefit” zones since March, 2000 which were very
well attended, proved affected residents are overwhelmingly opposed to such
zones. The term is nothing more than a euphemism disguising the fact that
there are no benefits to neighborhood residents. On the contrary, such zones
will have a negative impact on the elderly, the disabled, on residents who have
no garages, renters, home businesses and historic values. Residents of the N.
Tracy Historical District supported creation of the SID to completely upgrade
the infrastructure on our street, knowing that each household had incurred
over $500 additional tax burden every year for twenty years. We have not
shirked our duty as citizens to contribute to the infrastructure needs of our
community.
We urge the city commission and the administration to follow the
recommendations of the many well-paid experts who have provided clear
advice on smart growth, on the economic and quality of life benefits of
residential neighborhoods.
Respectfully submitted.
Jack and Jane Jelinski
433 N Tracy Ave
Bozeman, MT 59715
406-587-8367
jjjelinski@msn.com