HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-25-23 Public Comment - E. Mason - NO to draft development codeFrom:Emily Mason
To:Agenda
Subject:[EXTERNAL]NO to draft development code
Date:Saturday, September 23, 2023 4:27:28 PM
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Dear City Commissions and Planning Board,
Please do not move forward with this very ill-conceived idea to rezone existing
neighborhoods. It has been proven time and time again that the high density developments thatyou approve in the older sections of the city do nothing to fix the affordable housing problem.
In fact, they have done everything to exacerbate the problem. One quick internet search andyou can find a number of short term rentals in Bozeman - Sobo Apartments, Black-Olive, etc.
The recent "infill" developments you have rubber stamped - Sobo, Black Olive, North Wilson,
the very ill-placed Canyon Gate (that was basically the rubber stamping of a full scale scrapeof a very important wildlife corridor and Cottonwood grove, home to many important bird
species) - have all catered to wealthy out of staters who swoop into town for their littlegetaway. Many of these apartments sit empty much of the time, with only seasonal visitors
and tourists utilizing the housing.
We do not at all trust that what you are passing will ensure that the character of theneighborhood is maintained when you hand out variances to developers like it's Halloween
candy. We all know that developers will build to the maximum and then ask for variances forthis or that to create yet another behemoth luxury apartment building. One look at Sobo and
Black-Olive and clearly you have no concern for "maintaining the character of theneighborhood."
Those of us who have been here for some time know that this proposed zoning change will
destroy our quiet, family-friendly neighborhoods. We would very much appreciate it if youwould stop playing Russian Roulette with the biggest investment of our lives. Under this
proposed change, it is very plausible that a developer buys my neighbor's house, scrapes thestructure to build a 3 story, 8 unit apartment building. That would completely obliterate any
equity I have built in my home. No thanks.
Here are my suggestions for you:
First, protect current R-1 zoning for all established neighborhoods currently zoned R-1. Focuson developing high-density housing in areas around town that have yet to be developed or are
already zoned high density (think sections of 19th, some areas of Oak, Durston, 7th, etc).Instead of car washes and hotels, focus develop projects on actual housing. Prioritize
interconnected multi-use paths to create safe travel for micro-mobility.
Please stop approving high density development passed Goldenstein. No high density shouldbe built so close to the Gallatin Mountain range.
Second, get control over the short term rental market. Let folks use their primary residence as
they wish (rental unit in the basement, ADU, etc - we need this to deal with ever-increasing
property tax bills). Then, either end altogether short term rentals in secondaryhomes/dwellings or charge a premium for an annual short term license that would pool money
into an affordable housing fund. Secondary dwellings (second, third, fourth homes being usedfor short term rentals) should have a 30 day minimum stay requirement.
Third, instead of rubber stamping car washes and hotels, you should be working with
developers to develop that land for high-density affordable housing. There are plenty ofblighted, vacant lots and plenty of undeveloped land that can be zoned high-density.
Constantly moving the goalposts on homeowners/voters/tax payers/citizens is not an effective
way to govern. It is time you govern with common sense and protect our establishedneighborhoods. Your job is to protect Bozeman, not destroy it. Here in Figgins Addition, we
are not executives or trust funders. We are solidly working and middle class homeowners whohave clawed our way to homeownership by making significant sacrifices to build equity into
the biggest investment of our lives. It's irresponsible for you to gamble away our financialfutures. Say no to these radical re-zoning proposals.
Thank you for your time and consideration,
Emily K. Mason
2703 Westridge Dr.
Bozeman, MT 59715303-809-4270