HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-30-22 Public Comment - A. Stewart - Public Comment for Community Development BoardFrom:Aimee Stewart
To:Agenda
Subject:Public Comment for Community Development Board
Date:Friday, December 30, 2022 1:40:26 PM
Attachments:CDB-letter-12-30-22.pdf
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Please see attached letter regarding January 9, 2023 agenda item:Fraternity Sorority Text Amendment (ZTA), App 22270.
Aimee Stewart
December 30, 2022
Dear Community Development Board,
A resident of the southside neighborhood for 30 years, I appreciate the diversity of my neighbors,
eclectic architecture, mature trees, and proximity to MSU and downtown. The equanimity of the
neighborhood has been challenged by the squeezing of a new fraternity (6 residents, 45 members) into
a modest single-family house bringing late-night party noise, drinking games in the front and back yards,
and parking violations to a peaceful block. This was made possible by a seemingly simple change in the
City of Bozeman code in 2018 that apparently allows the establishment of new fraternities and sororities
in any residential neighborhood including RS, R1, and R2 (previously not permitted) under the category
of “Group Living”. This category does not address issues specific to fraternal organizations. Small-size
fraternity chapter houses lack adequate space and facilities for large gatherings routinely hosted with
many more members and guests than are actual residents. They are not safe venues for big parties. It is
the City’s job to thoughtfully manage location of fraternities and sororities to maintain neighborhood
safety, peace, character, and property values. None of these provisions is addressed in the “Group
Living” category for dwellings that also act as event venues. l purchased my house in 1992 when City
code did not permit new fraternities and sororities in the neighborhood. I did so in good faith that the
City would practice transparent, participatory, and sensible zoning. Unfortunately, the City did not
inform the community - before or after the City code was revised in 2018 - about the change that
apparently allows new fraternities and sororities in all residential neighborhoods. It is appropriate, just,
and necessary to reconsider this issue that is now before the City in a proposed Zone Text Amendment
to reinstate relevant pre-2018 code language. This amendment supports Bozeman’s livability.
I ask the Community Development Board to support this Zone Text Amendment to reinstate fraternity
and sorority houses as “Authorized Uses in Residential Zoning Districts” allowed only in R5, RO and
conditionally R3 (as listed in Table 38.310-030A of the Unified Development Code prior to the 2018
revision).
Respectfully,
Aimee Stewart