HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-05-23 Public Comment - A. Hooker - 21381From:alanhooker@icloud.com
To:Agenda
Subject:[EXTERNAL]21381
Date:Tuesday, October 3, 2023 10:20:05 PM
Attachments:Zone change.pdf
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Dear Sirs: 10-3-2023
Re: Application 21381
I am writing to explain why I believe that the current proposed changes to the entire zoning program is a mistake. This proposal opens more questions than it answers.
I live at 1102 South 3rd Ave. I purchased my house 43 years ago. Over the years I have continuously improved my 50’ x 155’ lot with fruit trees , a vegetable garden, and flower beds. I have planted trees between the sidewalk and the street. I built a garage and improved my house inside and out with an addition as well as all new insulation and double pane windows.
When my wife and I arrived we were the new kids on the block. We were welcomed and became fast friends with all our neighbors. We look out for our neighbors. We can depend on them to look out for us. I believe this proposal will accelerate a transition to rental living where people come and go so fast they make no attempt to know or care about their neighbors.
Who benefits besides local and out of state investment developers?
How will buildings built by these proposed changes actual reach the desired recipients?
Will HOA covenants be converted to zone RA the same as the South Side of Bozeman?
Will these presumed rentals units be snapped up by students’ parents?
What infrastructure will be needed to support this change?
Will Sewers, Water, and Electric need to be upgraded? Will tax payers be stuck paying for this?
We already see the city sewer cleaning truck making regular calls to numerous manholes in the neighborhood. Will the antiquated South Side water supply system need to be upgraded? My block already has a problem with power. If I turn on my chop saw at certain times of day it can dim the lights in my neighbor’s house.
What about quality of life? If my neighbor on the South side of my lot sells to a developer does that mean that developer can build a building that is only 3 feet shorter at its roof eve line than the ridge of my roof. Even without a pitched roof this would cut off all sunlight from my house and gardens from early fall to late spring. What if I have solar installed?
What is to stop investors from buying up houses for the lots then building tall luxury condos instead of affordable housing? We have seen this happen in several places in the city. Why would it not be the same on the South side?
The city has allowed destruction of trailer courts that were some of Bozeman’s lowest cost housing. In this regard I am reminded of listening to a radio program where a now former city councilman, and one time City of Bozeman mayor remarked;
“Those people had a great run. It is now time for them to move on.”
He was referring to people living in the trailer homes and log houses that once stood on North 7th Ave. That site now has seven or eight luxury duplex homes with duplex garages and duplex servants quarters above the garages. No one evicted could afford to live there.
I feel like this crud statement applies to me now.
Sincerely, Alan Hooker