HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-27-23 Public Comment - J. Pape - Comments for the 3_28_2023 Commission Meeting- B2M zoning amendmentFrom:Jay Pape
To:Agenda
Subject:Comments for the 3/28/2023 Commission Meeting- B2M zoning amendment
Date:Monday, March 27, 2023 9:59:23 PM
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Dear Bozeman City Commission-
I have owned and occupied a small, single family home on North Ida for 21 years and the following comments are
submitted in opposition to the proposed B-2M Cloverleaf zoning amendment.The Commission should uphold their
vote against the proposed the amendment which was based on the following reasons:
1. Only the owner can record restrictive covenants against real property, and (2) any such
restrictive covenants need to be durable. As noted by the previous decision, the Commission
CANNOT vote to approve an application on SPECULATION. The Applicant DOES NOT YET
OWN the land and CANNOT record restrictive covenants.
2. The area should be preserved as a place offering additional opportunities for creative integration
of land uses. Cloverleaf DOES NOT meet this requirement.
3. The Cloverleaf Developers CAN apply for a PDZ to achieve their goals
WHILE PRESERVING THE NEHMU. Oddly enough, the developers are
aware that this is available to them.
4. B2M allows short term rentals, which would guarantee that 14 units would be
occupied full while the 90+ remaining units could be short term rentals. Given
the rampant pace of purchases for short-term rentals and lack of regulation,
this does not serve to ease our housing availability struggles for people whowant to live, work and raise families here.
5. In November of 2022, after having reviewed and considered the staff report, application
materials, etc, the Bozeman City Commission ALREADY DENIED THE REQUEST. The on-the-
ground situation HAS NOT CHANGED except that a CURRENTLY UNSIGNED AGREEMENT
would award $2.2 million in TIF funding in exchange for completing the project with 14
affordable housing units. Again, THE COMMISSION CANNOT VOTE TO APPROVE BASED
ON SPECULATION.
Bottom line... NOTHING has changed. The Commission has previously denied the very same request.
The developer is wasting valuable Commission and Staff time by re-submitting this application.
I implore you to vote to deny the proposed B2M zoning amendment.
It is also important to note the veiled threats made by the developer at a recentmeeting with a group of Northeast neighbors; that if this amendment is not approved
and the current deal falls through, a "nefarious" developer would maximize the
existing zoning and build something tall and disgusting. The developer even provided
drawings showing just how bad it could be. Oddly enough, they failed to show a
representation of how a developer possessing exceptional creativity and compassionfor this unique, highly desirable neighborhood, could in fact, maximize the existing
zoning. All while making an inclusive, walkable, beautiful residential space with ample
small business opportunities in this former industrial location.
Regards,
Jay Pape
514 N Ida Ave
Bozeman, MT 59715