HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-18-23 Public Comment - S. Ferraro - Fwd_ UDC and Zoning Map RewriteFrom:Sandy Ferraro
To:Agenda; Terry Cunningham; Cyndy Andrus; Christopher Coburn; I-Ho Pomeroy
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Fwd: UDC and Zoning Map Rewrite
Date:Monday, September 18, 2023 10:40:18 AM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you
recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
---------- Forwarded message ---------From: Sandy Ferraro <sandyjferraro@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, Sep 18, 2023 at 10:26 AMSubject: UDC and Zoning Map Rewrite
To: <agenda@bozeman.net>Cc: <tcunningham@bozeman.net>, <candrus@bozeman.net>, <acoburn@bozeman.net>,
<jpomeroy@bozeman.net>, <jmadgic@bozeman.net>
Dear City Commissioners and Board Members of the Development Committee,
For 42 years I had a career in the Real Estate Industry. Now as a retired Real Estate Broker, I see the crucial need to
give my opinion to the Bozeman Development Committee and to the Bozeman City Commissioners with respect to
the Current UDC/Zoning Map rewrite.
The City of Bozeman is proposing the total and comprehensive overhaul of the UDC and Zoning Map with far
reaching changes as proposed. One of the major changes proposed combines existing and already zoned Single
Family RS, R-1, R-2(Duplexes allowed) with Multi Family R-3 zones into a one-size fits all R-A Zoning Class.
Essentially this allows up to an 8 plex to be built on a single family lot! This is a travesty to say the least. This
change would not only change the integrity and cohesiveness of established neighborhoods, but in my opinion
devalue and ruin historic areas of our city and existing single family neighborhoods. It is a well known fact that a
home is usually an owner's largest financial holding and bulk of their net worth. Good neighbors have lots of pride
and take good care of their homes, landscapes, and take care of each other. Investors have a blind eye to that kind of
relationship to their neighbors or their neighbors' properties. Ransacking existing single family neighborhoods with
this type of infill will not be "affordable" and it will not move the needle to solve the Affordable Housing Crisis. It
will create ill will and property devaluation. Additionally the proposed changes relax or eliminate off-street parking
requirements. Our streets are already clogged and will become even more congested creating dangerous traffic
conditions and a snow plow driver's worst "nightmare".
There are many other changes too numerous to point out in a brief email that would devalue existing home
investments. A consultant from Austin, Texas was used for the inputs of the ADC/Zoning overhaul. I resent having
my taxpayer dollars spent unwisely on an out of state so called "expert" that knows little or nothing about Bozeman
history, our neighborhoods, our climate, or about snow loads, just to mention a few.
Furthermore, it needs to be pointed out that the City has not provided enough time or adequate notice to educate the
public and get public input. It has been done backwards. This proposal had not been presented in a transparent way
and has been presented in some wrong venues where the word has not gotten out. It was only a recent article in the
Bozeman Daily Chronicle on Saturday September 2, 2023 where the public might become aware. There is a meeting
tonight at City Hall for comment and a vote to send it up the ladder to the City Commission for their consideration
and a vote in November. What is the hurry? It is just now at the 11th hour that property owner and residents are
becoming aware of the contents of this unstoppable freight train coming at them with this huge change. It is my
opinion that the City of Bozeman has consulted the wrong people, spent our taxpayer dollars on misguided
consultants, and is setting themselves up for major litigation. Destroying the integrity, character, and cohesiveness
of established single family neighborhoods is not the answer to the affordable housing crisis.
Respectfully submitted,
Sandy J. Ferraro
-- Sandy J. Ferraro3002 Colter Avenue
Bozeman, MT 59715Cell: 406-581-9037
-- Sandy J. Ferraro3002 Colter Avenue
Bozeman, MT 59715Cell: 406-581-9037