HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-10-23 Public Comment - R. Irish - No to Current Proposed UDC PlansFrom:Renee Irish
To:Agenda
Subject:[EXTERNAL]I vote No to Current Proposed UDC Plans
Date:Monday, October 9, 2023 7:41:45 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 Community & Development Board & City Commission!
I vote no to the way the current plan is proposed. I realize that infill and growth need to
happen - but I do not think it should happen in this matter. I think the city can do a ton toincentivise gentle infill in the old part of town without going too far and resulting in a land
grab by developers that will destroy the character of the part of Bozeman that everyone falls inlove with. Let's be honest, people do not come here and fall in love with 19th, or certain
subdivisions...they love the mountains and the old parts of town - the historic district - theheart and core of Bozeman.
The 3 stories and 8 units in the proposed R-A district goes to far! Since it will have no effect
on the subdivisions and the areas with HOA's and covenants - you are just going to bedestroying old - historic Bozeman.
Instead PLEASE educate the community about how many options there are in R-1 and R-2 to
densify!
-Cottage housing is adorable, appropriate, and less invasive. Promote tiny homes as a greatcottage housing option. If we must destroy original structures, cottage housing has the
potential to add density in a gentle way.
-Let more homeowners know there are ready-made plans if you want to add an ADU.Theseare such a great option without destroying anything.
-Basement apartments are invisible infill not currently allowed in R-1, so legalize that. Also,
help aid homeowners bear the costs of the adaptations required.
- Incentivise homeowners to adopt these types of infill by removing city building fees, etc.
KEEP THE HEIGHT AT 2 STORIES IN THE CORE NEIGHBORHOODS!
While adding this density, we need to take steps to make sure the new units are helping tosolve the housing crisis. We could form something like the Big sky Housing Trust's Rent
Local program: https://bigskyhousingtrust.org/rent-local-program/
Finally, maybe on a map propose the larger apartment buildings on entire blocks or streets. Let the public see and comment...for example if 5 stories were allowed on Main Street and
both the one ways to the north and south of it. Most of those houses are businesses - sobusinesses on the bottom and housing up top. also very walkable to the downtown.
It seems as though the proposed UDC takes a sledge hammer to our core neighborhoods when
what you really need is a scalpel. Please slow down and go back to the drawing board.
Finally, we should really aim to preserve history in these core neighborhoods. Protect theenvironment with requirements of "actual green space and trees", work on our infrastructure
first with the main concerns of water and then secondly traffic and parking, and affordablehousing. These are current issues now - and they will continue to get worse if they are not
properly handled now.
Thank you,Renee Irish (24 year resident of Bozeman, MT and owner of a historic home in the core)