HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-25-23 Public Comment - G. Schontzler - Alarmed by proposed new zoning R-A, higher densityFrom:Keith McCafferty & Gail Schontzler
To:Agenda
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Alarmed by proposed new zoning R-A, higher density
Date:Monday, September 25, 2023 5:39:48 PM
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Dear City Folks,
I am alarmed that the new zoning proposed for our neighborhood just east of MSU wouldchange from R-2 “moderate” density to R-A “low” density. It would actually change what’s
allowed from single-family homes and duplexes today, to three-story buildings with up toeight households each.
How is it “low” density to quadruple density from 2 to 8 households? I feel the labeling of thenew R-A zoning as “low” density is highly misleading.
Apparently the philosophy behind this is that by encouraging greater density in the olderneighborhoods, this will somehow reduce sprawl.
I feel this is magical thinking and a great logical fallacy. No matter how dense you make theolder neighborhoods, new construction will still follow the dictates of the real estate market,
supply and demand. And there is growing demand from people wanting to move to Bozeman. Covid sent people
fleeing from urban centers, modern technology (internet and airport) makes it easy to workfrom anywhere. And then there’s the popularity of shows like “Yellowstone,” and glossy
magazines marketing Big Sky to wealthy out-of-staters, that make Montana seem cool andhip.
And so there is great incentive for developers to keep building new homes and subdivisions onvacant land, mainly west of town, and trophy homes -- and that creates sprawl — sprawl that
the City itself keeps approving and encouraging. Sprawl won’t stop unless or until the citydecides there’s no more water for new housing.
I fear the new zoning rules will eventually destroy the historic neighborhoods that giveBozeman a lot of its charm and character, the very things that have attracted people to move
here and raise their families here. I urge you to change the R-A zoning to allow single-family and duplexes only, and limit the
height to two stories, not three. We’re already seeing monstrous homes and apartments (for example, just south of Irving
School) that are out of character and scale with the surrounding neighborhoods. No more ofthis, please.
And please keep the historic overlay in the historic neighborhoods.Thanks for your time and attention,
Gail Schontzler1115 S. Grand Ave.
Bozeman, MT 59715406 570-0984
kmccafferty@bresnan.net