HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-17-23 Public Comment - E. Darrow - The Proposed UDC Paused But Not Forgotten!From:Elizabeth Darrow
To:Agenda
Subject:[EXTERNAL]The Proposed UDC Paused But Not Forgotten!
Date:Monday, October 16, 2023 12:51:02 PM
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Greetings Community Development Board
The proposed UDC may be "paused' but is not forgotten! The outrage percolating among
so many about the UDC and SB 382 has communicated clearly just what is at stake
to prevent the destruction of the historic neighborhoods and what they offer to the
quality of life in Bozeman. Historical homes as single-family residences can beaffordable homes if not scraped off and then rebuilt as mcmansions. The subdivisions
surrounding Bozeman are filled with single family homes- why must the historic core
be destroyed for some vision of “density” that represents a discredited “urbanist”
theory? What we will get is density and sprawl. The implementation of the proposedUDC may be paused but it also requires a thorough review and rewrite.
The proposed UDC as it stands now insures the ideological economic cauldronoperating in Bozeman and the state, these forces serve the financial interests of a few
in the “new Anaconda Copper Company” industry of real estate speculation. And like
the “Company” of past years in Montana they will take what they want and leave
behind a mess, a generic city with little architectural merit and unaffordable for anybut the richest. When did relying on the “free market” ever result in affordable
housing? It is common knowledge now you can never build your way out of a housing
shortage. The furor of the last few weeks makes it hard not to feel this turbo-charged
process reflects an arrogance of special interests who are used to getting their wayaround the City government. We are speaking up to make sure our elected officials
actually represent us during this transformative time. I also write with deep concern as this crisis persists of the marginalization of the
contributions made by volunteer City Advisory Boards who must be seen and operate
as real partners to fulfill their duties and powers as city code demands:
“ that include extensive participation in advisory and review capacity to all aspects of
development in the historic districts with the city commission, community
development board, zoning, and all relevant city departments.”
The denial of public engagement proposed puts at risk the City of Bozeman’s status
as a “certified local government”(CLG) in the National Historic PreservationAct because public engagement is required to maintain the designation and its
benefits.
A moratorium is also critical because there is no clarity about land use policy
outcomes incorporating the multiple relationships between the City of Bozeman andfederal, state, county and other city codes that define and regulate actions and
decisions in all those entities. For example, how do development and historic
preservation policies in other cities in Gallatin County or the State relate to the new
SB 382 which only applies to some cities in Montana and not others? This seems
unconstitutional and a violation of the 14th Amendment of the US Bill of Rights-
in its Equal Protection Clause.
Other areas in the proposed UDC that need to be revised include, but are not limited
to variances that become precedent, the unitary decision-making power of the
CDB on plats, annexations, and easements. Other problems include the undueadvantages developers as landholders will have in annexation processes, and
inequitable lack of redress due to layers of review and high legal cost of appeals for
the average individual.
Thank you for your Service,
Elizabeth Darrow
Bozeman