HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-11-23 Public Comment - A. Kociolek - UDC Public Comment Ordinance 2151 - Sustainability BoardFrom:Angela Kociolek
To:Agenda
Cc:Mitchell Overton
Subject:[EXTERNAL]UDC Public Comment Ordinance 2151 - Sustainability Board
Date:Wednesday, October 11, 2023 10:35:57 AM
Attachments:Dear Sustainability Board 10.11.23.pdf
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Good morning,
The attached comment is for the Sustainability Advisory Board in advance of their UDC action itemthis evening. Please also add it to the public comments in folder UDC Ordinance 2151.
Thank you,Angie Kociolek
1
October 11, 2023
Dear Sustainability Board,
I am a fellow Advisory Board member for the Urban Parks and Forestry Board.
Given that I have not had to opportunity to confer with my fellow board members
prior to making this comment, I am speaking on behalf of myself as a concerned
resident. As a point of disclosure, I am also active in an evolving group of
concerned residents called the Bozeman Tree Coalition. This group formed in
response to unchecked removal of trees during the development process.
Tonight, Community Development Board staff is asking you to recommend items
in “Areas of relevance to the Sustainability Board” in Chapter 38 AKA the UDC.
As a refresher, Resolution 5327 which established the Sustainability Board states
you “will encourage policies that: 1. Maintain and implement appropriate
environmental initiatives that protect and conserve Bozeman’s natural resources
and ecological diversity; 2. Consider human and environmental impacts resulting
from urban growth and development on Bozeman’s air, water, and soil quality,
as well as on plants, other natural habitats, and wildlife…” Your primary Focus
Area is “Climate Planning…The policies the Board advises on must seek to ensure
Bozeman is a leader in mitigating the impacts of climate change.”
I hope you will agree with me that trees are one of our greatest assets in
providing shade, reducing urban heat island effects, carbon storage and so forth.
Strangely, none of the items requested for your recommendation mentions trees
- at all.
Chapter 38 has language in it about preserving trees, for example, 38.410.010.
Unfortunately, this code is not enforced as written. Yet, it has been ignored in this
UDC draft revision for reasons unclear. Even though you were not expressly
asked, I urge you to also consider code 38.410.010 in your deliberations. The
phrase “to the extent possible” makes this code weak and therefore not enforced.
It must be strengthened. If not now, when Chapter 38 is being revised, then
when?
2
Additional relevant codes in the UDC draft include:
38.410.010
38.400.030
38.710.050.A
38.710.050. 5. Vegetation b. Protective Measures
38.710.090 C. Contents of landscape plan 7 & 9
For suggestions on specific improvements to these codes, I refer you to a well-
written public comment submitted to the Community Development Board and
City Commission on October 5, 2023.
https://weblink.bozeman.net/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=281181&dbid=0&repo=
BOZEMAN
To date and to my understanding, the Urban Parks and Forestry Board – which
also has an emphasis on trees and our urban forest - has not been asked for our
recommendations regarding the UDC draft. I hope the Urban Parks and Forestry
Board is also given a seat at the UDC table. Until then, the Sustainability Board
may be our City’s best hope for strengthening the UDC to conserve Bozeman’s
natural resources amidst this unprecedented growth. Trees and native
vegetation, and the soil they grow in, need strong protections so they remain in
place after new developments or redevelopments are built. Trees and housing
can coexist. Futhermore, trees are necessary for our continued existence.
Branch Out Bozeman (BOB), a partnership between the City and Gallatin
Watershed Council and others, is actively seeking ways to expand Bozeman’s tree
canopy cover. Planting trees costs money – a lot of it. Retaining trees should
always be the recommended first course of action. In the words of Matt Lee,
Green Infrastructure Center consultant on the BOB project, “Trees are the only
infrastructure where the value of them appreciates over time vs everything else -
pipes, wire, roads depreciate. trees are only ones that gain in value.”
Thank you for your service and hearing my concerns.
Sincerely,
Angie Kociolek
620 N Tracy Avenue
Bozeman, MT 59715