HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-03-23 Public Comment - A. Kociolek - Community PlanFrom:Angela Kociolek
To:Agenda; Susana Montana
Cc:Greg Sullivan
Subject:Community Plan
Date:Wednesday, May 3, 2023 5:29:32 PM
Attachments:C2E8E333-BC10-43FD-B96E-22D15CB4238E.png
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Dear City Commissioners and Planning Staff,
I’ve been hearing many references to Bozeman’s Community Plan as the top policy document guidingfurther growth and community development in Bozeman. Collectively, you often cite its importanceand the basis of your rationale in decision making.
I decided to better familiarize myself with this important document which I’m sure many of you will
recognize since your names are in it.
During the Commission Meeting on April 18th, 2023 and speaking to planning staff afterwards, I heard
quotes from you such as:
“The trees are in the wrong place.” (when referencing a preliminary plat provided by a developer)
“I like trees. They grow up, they die, we plant new trees. I don’t mean to be cavalier about it but Ijust think, um, I recognize that, you know, those riparian zones can be, add to a landscape, but I
also think, um, there’s new ones to be created and that’s what we’re doing in this development.”
(during the April 18th meeting)
> Legitimate question to which I hope to receive an answer: What new riparian zones are to be
created in Canyon Gate?
These public statements were made in the name of growing Bozeman according to the CommunityPlan. Therefore, I suggest it as required reading (or re-reading as the case may be) before you makedecisions, vote on, or approve any matters involving natural resources including native vegetation,
trees and water.
Please pay special attention to the following sections:
I. Graphic on page 24 showing how Natural Resources are part of the holistic concept of Resiliency -just as much as Housing and Economic.
II. Themes:
1 R-2.2, 2.7, 2.9 (taking time to see the mature trees in the photos on those pages)
2 N-1.6, 2.5, 4.1
3 DCD-1.12, 1.13
4 “Importance" section, EPO-1.1, 1.5, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.3, 3.6, 3.9, 4.2
page 35 excerpt:
"And while Bozeman residents value and enjoy many forms of outdoor recreation, community members
also understand and appreciate the need for maintaining and protecting the natural resources that
support a healthy ecosystem… Protecting our immediate and regional ecosystem requires diligenceand careful planning as Bozeman and Gallatin County continue to grow.”
7 RC-2.1, 3.2, 4.4
III. Review Criteria for Zoning Amendments and their Application
> Legitimate question to which I hope to receive an answer: On what basis does R5 at thegateway to the mountains adhere to criteria 2d?
IV. A City Influence by Our Natural Environment, Parks and Open Space
"Maintain healthy urban forests”
In addition, Bozeman’s Municipal Code clearly states development MUST be properly related totopography and MUST preserve the natural terrain, natural drainage, existing topsoil and trees andexisting vegetation.
However, staff are not applying BMC 38.410 or holding developers to the standard in their reviews.Instead, the four word phrase “to the extent possible” was cited as the rationale to allow completedestruction of whole stands of mature trees and heavy handed, artificial manipulation of water.
(1) DIVISION 38.410. - COMMUNITY DESIGN AND ELEMENTS
Sec. 38.410.010. - General standards.
B. Natural environment. The design and development of all land uses mus be properly related to topography, and
mus, to the extent possible, preserve the natural terrain, natural drainage, exising topsoil, trees and other exising
vegetation.
> Legitimate questions to which I hope to receive an answer: How is it that the City is not
enforcing its own code? Is it a training issue? Is it a lack of ecology education issue? Where are thechecks and balances? Are staff under some other pressure to miss such an important codeapplication? Why doesn’t the Commission look into this further? What legally happens in this casewhere the code was not applied and a vote was taken?
Thank you. I look forward to continued conversations on this matter and appreciate the opportunity tobetter understand what the Community plan includes in its aspirations for the future Bozeman.
Sincerely,
Angie Kociolek
(signed as a citizen of Bozeman)
620 N Tracy Avenue