HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-10-23 Public Comment - K. Harris - UDC ProposalFrom:Kathy Harris
To:Agenda
Subject:[EXTERNAL]UDC Proposal
Date:Monday, October 9, 2023 12:50:58 PM
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As a Bozeman city resident and taxpayer, I am opposing the UDC changes as currently proposed. The
concept of the UDC needing to be changed to increase density and therefore affordability requires
detailed clarification for me and my family to support. It is incumbent upon the governing bodies
proposing the change on this basis to provide the hard math behind how this works. Does the
proposed building code update require a % of new units to be sold/rented at a fixed/capped
cost? How is this mandated and enforced with the developers/private property owners? How are
prices set and the affordable Units allocated. The plan should provide these details. Without those
provisions, it seems the only way housing density eventually leads to more affordable housing units
is by destroying the quality of life to the point that the demand to relocate/stay in Bozeman
decreases therefore tipping the supply/demand scale that sets real estate prices. So is the plan to
pave over the land, pollute the air, run out of water, impoverish hard working residents, destroy
sense of community and erode current resident’s property values to the point that housing/rent is
affordable again?
I admit, like others I see exchanging thoughts and concerns online, to being suspect of the actual
motivation behind the proposal. The idea that building multi Unit buildings changes affordability in
the near term is clearly not true. I saw a listing last week for an 8 Unit set of 3 bed/3 bath condos
going for $1.6MM each. Hardly affordable. The previously implemented change to Story Mill
property where affordable mobile home park was removed supposedly for the benefit of the
community only to be surrounded by new high dollar homes does indicate reason for questions and
a greater responsibility by the commission to justify with factual data how affordable housing will
result from the proposed changes.
Michael and Kathy Harris
1057 New Holland Dr
Bozeman, MT 59718kathy.harris@etecconsulting.com
803 645-9003 (mobile)