HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-23-23 Public Comment - R. Brey - community development board re_ greek housesFrom:Ron Brey
To:Agenda
Subject:community development board re: greek houses
Date:Monday, January 23, 2023 11:46:26 AM
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January 23, 2023
Members of the Community Development Board:
I am writing in support of the zone code text amendment to revert the regulation of
fraternities and sororities to the pre - 2018 code provisions which stood for many years
without controversy.. As you are aware, the amendment has not been described in context
in the media and therefore in much of the public discussion. Two key points have been
overlooked:
1.
The changes made in the 2018 UDC update apply to ALL residential neighborhoods
in the city, not just the university neighborhood. As real estate prices continue to
increase, Greek housing locations may not be primarily concerned with proximity to
the university.
2.
Most importantly, the changes were accomplished by a strikeout and sidebar note in
a table in the sizable update document. The public was completely unaware of this
change as the staff has indicated that there was no specific public notice of this
significant change in neighborhood composition. Individuals who followed the update
process closely had no knowledge of this change. In addition to blindsiding the
public, the Board and Commission deprived themselves of all public comment or
concern about the change. I am concerned that even members of the Board and
Commission voting to adopt the larger update were unaware of this obscure but
significant adjustment.
Transparency and public involvement are the lifeblood of local government. Please correct
this unfortunate action and REVERT the code to the previous standard which served the
community well for many years.
Thanks,
Ron Brey
1106 South 3rd
Bozeman