HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-26-23 Public Comment - L. Engelstad - Thriftway Super Stop Site Plan & Special Use Permit, Application #22039From:louisee35@gmail.com
To:Nakeisha Lyon
Cc:"Karla"; brianbrandt@earthlink.net
Subject:Thriftway Super Stop Site Plan & Special Use Permit, Application #22039
Date:Friday, May 26, 2023 3:48:24 PM
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Nakeisha LyonCommunity Development Office, City of Bozeman Good afternoon, I live on Lemhi Trail Drive near the intersection of Baxter and Davis Lane. I have recently becomeaware of the proposal and special use permit application to put a Thriftway Super Store on theNorth-East corner of that intersection. And I strenuously object to allowing that special use to begranted. We have worked hard to have a very nice neighborhoods on both sides of Davis Lane, across Baxterfrom the proposed gas station. It’s hard to imagine a more inappropriate use of that area so close toour houses, children, our relatively quiet neighborhood, and the natural environment of the area. Gas Stations Pollute the Environment – There is a small creek running along Davis Lane thatfeeds into Cattail Lake. People canoe, kayak, fish, and hike in that park. Waste and spills from oiland gas contain hydrocarbons, heavy metals, radioactive material, salts and toxic chemicals, all ofwhich have the potential to damage soils and vegetation directly, and eventually groundwater. Irefer you to Schueler, T. 2000. Hydrocarbon Hotspots in the Urban Landscape: Can They BeControlled?: The Practice of Watershed Protection. Center for Watershed Protection, Ellicott City,MD. Pages 19-21 Living in Proximity to Gas Stations is Dangerous -- The National Institutes of Health, in acomprehensive study published in 2021 found benzene, which is airborne from filling cars with gas,is a chemical classified as a human carcinogen; it is a causal agent of leukemia and is associated withnon-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and multiple myeloma. While people filling their cars are at moderaterisk from benzene, the NIH study determined that people who live near gas stations, and children inschools near stations are of particular risk. They found people living near gas stations can beexposed to chemicals from the stations even inside their homes, up to a dozen blocks or more fromthe station. The chemical exposure this gas station would represent to a large section of ourneighborhood seems worthy of legal action to prevent this special use. Convenience Stores Have Negative Impacts on Local Economies, Crime Rates, and Nutrition –I strongly urge you to carefully study the documents at Community & Environmental Services:https://ceds.org/gasstation/ The group has gathered very extensive research on the impacts of gasstations and convenience stores on neighborhoods. Smith’s and Safeway are nearly within walkingdistance as are other stores with food. We don’t need a convenience store here. Gas Stations Are Noisy -- The noise from trucks and motorcycles accelerating away from thestoplight at Baxter and Davis Lane can already be heard at the far reaches of our neighborhood.. Putting in a gas station, with noisy entries and exits extending well into the night and starting early inthe morning is going to be devastating on being able to sleep, even with the windows closed. Andwhat about semi-trucks and delivery trucks idling there during the night? Gas Stations on Corners with Exceptions to Entry and Exit Close to an Intersection RepresentTraffic Risk. We have all witnessed what happens when people try to get in and out of the gas
station at 19th and Main and other stations right on the corners of busy intersections. While thatmight be okay in a downtown area, it’s not okay in our neighborhood. There Are Four Other Gas Options within a Short Drive from Baxter and Davis Lane. There’s
one gas station and car wash a very short distance on Baxter at the corner of Baxter and 19th.
There’s a second one on the west side of 19th just north of 19th and Baxter. There’s another station at
19th and Durston. And the Costco gas station is less than 10 minutes away. Granting this permit will be another serious blow to the environment and quality of life of the area. Birds and other animals use the creek and the trees for habitat and food. In a time of serious declinesin bird and insect populations, destroying this area would certainly not help.Please do not grant this permit. Thank you for your thoughtful consideration. Louise Engelstad3361 Lemhi Trail Drive605-430-1201