HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-10-23 Public Comment - P. Rishel - UDCFrom:Paul Rishel
To:Agenda
Subject:[EXTERNAL]UDC
Date:Tuesday, October 10, 2023 10:02:36 AM
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I'm writing to voice opposition to the proposed Unified Development Code.
I wish the Bozeman City Commission would take a step back and re-examine the implicit
assumption that increasing density will solve the "housing crisis."
In the first place, is it fair to penalize existing residents in favor of people who may choose tolive in Bozeman in the future? Because increasing the density in a neighborhood is definitely
not an improvement.
In the second place, if businesses are struggling with a labor shortage, are they actually doinganything about worker housing, other than pestering the Commission? Is it fair to penalize
existing residents in order to support a few business owners? Is it the residents' responsibilityto give up their neighborhoods to make it easier for some businesses to continue making
money?
Finally, I understand that it's impossible for a builder to make a profit building affordablehousing: subsidization is required. I for one would be happy to pay a few dollars more to make
it more likely that police, fire crews, and city staff would be able to live in Bozeman. But I'munwilling to pay for businesses to house employees: if they can't pay their own way, they
deserve to fail.
I think it would make more sense for the City to throttle back the "Move To Bozeman"campaign.
Thank you for your attention,
Paul Rishel617 N. Black Ave
Bozeman