HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-20-23 Public Comment - A. Alloway - Zoning ChangesFrom:Alexis Alloway
To:Agenda
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Comment: Zoning Changes
Date:Thursday, September 21, 2023 4:07:32 PM
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.
Hello,
My name is Alexis Alloway and I am a homeowner in the Figgins neighborhood of Bozeman.
I am strongly opposed to the proposed changes to re-zoning that would have a
significant impact on our neighborhood.
The new proposed zoning codes allow for too much density in areas currently zoned R-1.They are a giveaway to developers, and the idea that they will magically create affordable
housing has zero evidence behind it (just speculation and theory). Allowing for multi-unit,multi-story homes in our R-1 neighborhood will irrevocably destroy the character and quality
of life here, leading to increased traffic, parking shortages, eyesores, school pickup anddropoff parking debacles, less wildlife, increased noise, and a decrease in public safety.
Allowing such aggressive new code retroactively will also lead to disjointed development thatis ugly and not user-friendly.
I propose that the new zoning regs keep low-density as low-density. For areas currently zoned
R-1, a new zone should be created that respects the current character and quality of these areas(the proposed R-A is too aggressive, allowing for too many units on individual lots). Allowing
for ADUs (as we already do), duplexes and maybe triplexes seems appropriate. Anythingmore than a duplex or triplex on one lot is inappropriate and will destroy the character many
beloved Bozeman neighborhoods.
In closing, the proposed changes are too drastic without evidence that they will have thedesired outcome of affordable housing. They won't. Bozeman needs to focus efforts on
densification in areas that are not yet built. R-A zoning could be entirely appropriate for thoseareas, since it will be built from the ground-up in a planned way. This will allow for those
areas to be planned from the start, leading to neighborhoods that can have good character andquality of life while also housing more people.
FInally, any changes this substantial in BOzeman's zoning should be voted on by the entire
community, not an elite, small group of representatives.
Thank you,
Alexis Alloway