HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-25-23 Public Comment - A. Sweeney - UDC reducing access to sunlightFrom:Alison Sweeney
To:Agenda
Subject:[EXTERNAL]UDC reducing access to sunlight
Date:Friday, September 22, 2023 9:37:45 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.
My name is Alison Sweeney, I live on S. 14th Ave, I was born and raised in Bozeman.
I'm concerned that if you build a much taller structure next to an existing single story home
you could increase the potential for ice damming in winter, which would potentially damageexisting buildings and be dangerous for residents.
My husband is a roofer so I'm not just making this up. Ice damming can happen on any part of
the roof depending on weather conditions and many other factors. However it is a much morefrequent problem on the north slope of roofs that don't receive direct sunlight. By
permanently shading a single story structure by building a potentially 45 foot building to thesouth of it, not only are you destroying quality of life (which may or may not be valued in this
design process) you are increasing the conditions under which ice damming can occur.
This could be dangerous if residents attempt to maintain their roof themselves, or could createa significant financial burden to existing homeowners if they have to pay someone to manage
snowfall on a roof no longer receiving sun exposure.
I suggest not adopting the new UDC as it is currently written. But at least, please codifyaccess to sunlight as a right to existing structures in order to protect property and public safety.
Thank you,
Alison B. Sweeney
Bernadette's Handmade JewelryBozeman MT
406-404-5740alison-bernadettes.com