HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-12-23 Public Comment - L. Schulz - Gran Cielo II ZoningFrom:Lara Schulz
To:Agenda
Subject:Gran Cielo II Zoning
Date:Monday, June 12, 2023 4:55:41 PM
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Dear City Commissioner, Deputy Mayor Cunningham and Mayor Andrus,
My name is Lara Schulz. I am a long time Bozeman resident and reside at 3306 South 29th
Ave, at the corner of Kurk and 29th. I am a property adjoiner to Gran Cielo II.
I write out of great concern for the rapid loss of native and mature vegetation in the Gallatin
Valley, due to large developments. Gran Cielo is no exception. Within its 80 acres, a mere
2% is native and mature vegetation, namely mature aspen and cottonwood trees. This
equates to approximately 1.6 acres of urban forest, teaming with life and habitat to dozens
of species of birds, including raptors. This urban forest must be conserved.
The developers have proposed R3/R4 zoning on the property, which will include sparing
most but not all of the forest (designated as “park” and “open space”), in fact most of the
eastern section will be destroyed due to the city’s requirement for streets to line up in a
certain fashion*. Accommodations to this requirement must be allowed when their
enforcement will lead to destruction of native and mature vegetation. This requirement
inhibits developers from using creative and meandering designs that accommodate natural
features such as this urban forest. In what seemed like a veiled threat or pressure for
residents to vote in favor of R3/R4 zoning, the developers have issued a statement to
Meadow Creek residents that if they are forced to develop the property as REMU, they are
likely to sell the western 40 acres, which they say, includes the drip line forest. This type of
approach to development is unacceptable. It leaves the fate of fragile and extremely
valuable ecosystems in the fate of developers, who’s primary interest is profit.
Whatever zoning is determined most appropriate for this plot, measures must be taken to
ensure that these forests are conserved and integrated into any site plan, regardless of the
developer. Considerations for conservation and special conditions such as these urban
forests could and should have been made at the annexation phase, which has already
occurred. I truly hope that omission was not intentional and that it will still be considered
retroactively. The removal of urban forest and native vegetation DOES NOT align with
Bozeman’s Climate Plan. Please develop strategies for protecting our most treasured and
valuable asset- a healthy ecosystem.
A May 22, 2023 New Yorker article titled “What We Owe Our Trees”, eloquently states that,
“Forests fed us, housed us, and made our way of life possible. But they can’t save us if we
can’t save them.” Forests are our best ally in the fight against climate change. They must
be viewed and treated as the precious and life saving resource that they are.
*Sec. 38.400.030. - Intersections.
A.The following requirements apply to street intersections:1.Streets must intersect at 90-
degree angles except when topography prohibits this alignment. In no case may the angle
of an intersection be less than 60 degrees to the centerline of the street or road being
intersected.
Concerned Citizen,
Lara Genet Schulz