HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-28-23 Public Comment - C. Zuccaro - Proposed RA Zoning is a betrayal of trust.From:czuccaro@telis.net
To:Agenda
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Proposed RA Zoning is a betrayal of trust.
Date:Wednesday, September 27, 2023 10:28:25 AM
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Dear Members of the Community Planning and Development
Department,
I oppose the proposed RA Zoning, which would betray the trust
of the people who live in long, established R1, R2 and R3 zoned
neighborhoods.
I watched the Meeting on September 18, 2023 and paid close
attention to the presentation by the Planning Department on the
proposed new Zoning Ordinances. The people attending the
meeting raised several important issues including water
resources and wet zones, affordable housing, street campers,
infrastructures, impact studies, etc. These are all important
issues that need careful study, research and solutions. Our
current residential neighborhoods do not need a solution
because they are not a problem. I did not hear one compelling
reason to merge R1, R2 and R3 zones into proposed the RA
zone.
When I bought my little house a few years ago, I carefully
researched neighborhoods before buying a house that I could
afford, located in a neighborhood where I wished to make my
home. The selection process included a careful study of the
Zoning Maps and Ordinances of the city of Bozeman. When I
bought my little house on Sheridan Ave, built in 1993 in an R2
zoned subdivision, I trusted that the City of Bozeman would
uphold the long standing zoning ordinances which protected our
neighborhoods. At the time, I believed it to be a reasonable
expectation.
Zoning ordinances protect neighborhoods and ensure that the
character of a neighborhood remains true to origin. Based on the
comments I have heard and read, merging established R1, R2
and R3 neighborhoods into the new RA zone is not only a
shocking, radical change, it is deep betrayal of trust.
Bozeman construction continues at a prolific pace. RA Zoning for
new subdivisions is reasonable. The people who buy property in
these new subdivisions will do so with the clear understanding of
the zoning ordinances and the neighborhoods being created. RA
zoning in these areas would not break trust, nor create a
privileged, tiered system. It is the proposed RA zone that
creates a tiered system of privilege. R1 and R2 subdivisions
without strong HOA’s will unfairly bear the brunt of these radical
zoning changes, leaving the strong HOA communities intact.
I understand that there are some people in R1 and R2 zoned
neighborhoods, who wish to convert their single family dwellings
into multiple rental units. However, it was their choice to buy
houses in R1 and R2 zoned neighborhoods, knowing the
building restrictions that were in place. These types of
investment opportunities are available in areas with less
restrictive zoning ordinances.
What compelling reason is there too so radically alter the zoning
ordinances in long established residential neighborhoods? Is
streamlining zoning ordinances more important than the people
who live in these neighborhoods? New comers and long time
residents have placed our faith in Bozeman and it’s elected
officials to maintain the character of our neighborhoods and
protect the logos of the city we love.
Why not implement RA zoning for new subdivisions and protect
the established residential neighborhoods by leaving R1-R3
zones intact? Why break our trust? It’s not logical, it’s not
reasonable and it’s not necessary.
Thank you,
Cheryl Zuccaro