HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-11-23 Public Comment - L. Schulz & C. McQueary - Gran Cielo II Annexation, App 22090 protest 0
Bozeman City Commissioners, yr I�—MMS
I am writing in protest to the Gran Cielo II Annexation project#22-090.The reason and concerns for our protest
are conditional and a modification to this project may change our stance on it. Aside from water, no other
natural feature or resource is as important to this valley as mature, native trees.The current design of this
project would include the destruction of a stand of mature and native trees that runs west to east and parallels
Kurk Drive.This stand is a micro forest within Bozeman's urban-rural interface which is very important to many
residents and is teeming with life. Decisions and requirements used to grant or deny development in our city
must take into consideration the preservation of these micro forests as they are natural features providing
critical habitat.To allow their destruction is contrary to the city of Bozeman's own planning goals which clearly
state the following:
• Work to ensure that development is responsive to natural features,
This best identifies with the preservation of trees; especially those which make up a large contiguous native
stand.
• Address climate change in the city's plans and operations.
Because of a tree's function and ability to absorb Co2 while producing oxygen,and providing shade,they are
the most important natural defense against climate change.
• Promote uses of the natural environment that maintain and improve habitat, water quantity, and
quality, while giving due consideration to the impact of City regulations on economic viability.
While providing shelter and food for many birds and other wildlife species,trees maintain habitat more than
any other natural feature.Trees capture and hold moisture.Trees allow the moisture they collect to remain
cool,to be gradually shed onto and into the soil, used for the health of the tree,or released into our
atmosphere.This cycle helps reduce drought and flooding.Therefore,city regulations supporting native and
mature trees are a source of economic viability.
The stand of trees which is threatened by this project supports over 20 species of resident and migratory birds
that have used this forest for many generations.They are currently busy building nests for the spring and
summer. In this very stand of trees and perhaps for nearly a century,generation after generation of these birds
have been repeating this activity.The sound of these birds coming from this one stand is astounding and a
natural feature of our daily life. Destroying this stand would silence these sounds which would change the quality
of life for many people. Residents of adjacent neighborhoods(including Gran Cielo 1)enjoy this stand of trees
every day. It is very important to their well-being. It's also an important factor in the valuation of homes and
played a significant role in why they chose to buy a home nearby.
As stated above, mature, native trees make real estate more valuable. For this reason alone, and before this
project can advance, a requirement of this project needs to include a modification that will preserve this stand of
trees.Such a modification will be a win-win for both developers and current residents of Meadow Creek,Gran
Cielo, and others in the valley.The preservation of these mature and native trees upholds the planning
department's goals and maintains the quality of life we can all have and deserve. It will set an important trend in
Bozeman's planning and development while setting our city and its developers apart for all the right reasons.
Thank you for your consideration and efforts toward keeping Bozeman a great place to live.
JK, c , /
Sincerely L �cJ�'Gvl� °6 f a2'17-M- AV6
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