HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-10-23 Public Comment - M. Kapsner - UDC public commentFrom:Matthew Kapsner
To:Agenda
Subject:[EXTERNAL]UDC public comment
Date:Monday, October 9, 2023 12:10:36 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless
you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Hello,
Before any further consideration on the proposed zoning changes, I would like to add to my comments from the first
meeting:
After the meeting in September my wife, Hope, and I have given this topic a lot of thought. First, we are concerned
about the effects this zoning change could have on the historic downtown neighborhoods, but we support dense infill
rather than urban sprawl. Though we do think going from single family to 8 units on a lot is a drastic change.
Previously I suggested tri-plexes, in line with the state’s new code, would be a significant and meaningful increase.
Perhaps 4-6 units would strike a fair balance? But, more importantly, we believe these new housing units should be
affordable. In a perfect world, we would go so far as to say they should all be affordable.
During the last Community Development Board meeting on this topic there wasn’t any discussion about how much
of this infill, high density development would be low-cost housing. If the town of Bozeman is truly concerned with
improving housing for people who need it, those low and middle income wage earners, there has to be a significant
percentage of these new units set aside for affordable housing. In our opinion there should be no less than 50% of
this new construction built for the low cost market if we as a community are sincere about improving our housing
shortage for those who live and work here, rather than lining the pockets of developers.
Everyone keeps talking about how much we need housing. And we completely understand and agree with that. But
we do not need more high end, luxury housing that will likely be secondary homes for those who can pay top price,
homes that will more than likely sit empty for a significant part of the year. If this is truly about providing housing
for those who are being squeezed out of the Bozeman market, then there must be a meaningful, significant portion—
not 10% (in an 8 unit building, that doesn’t even provide 1 low-cost unit)—set aside for those who need it most.
Sincerely,
Matt & Hope Kapsner