HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-16-23 Public Comment - C. Shaida - Comment to Comm. Dev. Board re Continued Public Hearing for Chapter 38, Unified Development Code 10_16_2023From:Chris Shaida
To:Agenda
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Comment to Comm. Dev. Board re Continued Public Hearing for Chapter 38, Unified Development
Code 10/16/2023
Date:Monday, October 16, 2023 10:23:05 AM
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I am writing in support of revamped UDC. I believe it will help the City move forward with
two of its key housing goals: close the housing gap and create more housing choices.
There is plainly not enough housing for the people who live here today. More acutely there isvirtually no affordable housing for the people who have to live here for Bozeman to work as a
community.
The answer is not to exclusively build new housing 'out there'. South and west may well be agood choice for some but it can't be the only choice for all. Downtown/'old Bozeman' has to
do its part. Adding more dwellings in town yields lower water/energy use, lower cost of livingand preserves open land.
Clearing up the de jure confusions in the current zoning code -- as is clear from testimony and
commentary to date, most people don't even know what is allowed on their lot/neighborhoodtoday! -- and removing the de facto habit of allowing any citizen to just yell about what they
don't happen to like, would go a long way to adding units in a way that lets neighborhoodsdevelop in a way that is congruent with their history and look-and-feel.
The current quagmire retards closing the gap AND drives up housing costs. Continuing in the
quagmire will drive up housing costs further.
If you are considering recommending adjustments, I am in favor of
using 'floor area ratio' in place of 'lot area coverage' for R-A and R-B (current R-1-4)
if you end up in support of staff's recommendation to reduce R-A to 4 units then Iwould couple that with eliminating parking requirements and allowing 6 units if half are
'Affordable'
Thank you for your continued service to our community.
Christopher Shaida 646-543-5505 | 406-282-1898