HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-17-23 Public Comment - R. Hilles - Fwd_ Pressing pause on the UDC projectFrom:Rick Hilles
To:Agenda
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Fwd: Pressing pause on the UDC project
Date:Tuesday, October 17, 2023 11:05:57 AM
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Hello
I find this response condescending and disingenuous.
I would like to comment that despite "months of engagement" and the Commission's "outreach", I only learned ofthis attempted rigging of the established code from a neighbor just days before a recent meeting. I have lived inthe same location for nearly 10 years and you cannot figure out how to reach me?! My 11 year old can obtain thisoff the internet in 5 minutes.
If you TRULY wanted the community to know about this scheme (and clearly you do not), you should have sentphysical mail notices to every residence and email to every person where you have this information. I pay myproperty and city taxes every month/year, and certainly you know how to find me when you want thesepayments. The City has the name and address of every property owner in town. So give me a break on the "wehave spent so much time and effort to let everyone know" story.
Tell me how you intend to revise this failed communication process going forward? I notice there was nothing toaddress this major failure in the communication.
By the way, have you heard the term "redistricting" ? Your scheme sounds very similar to me. Attempting tochange long established and successful zoning rules in order to benefit developers and greedy property owners! This is not about more housing. It is about money. Shame on this Commission. I guess this is the "if it ain'tbroke, let's break it" way if running things.
Looking forward to elections. Things are going in the wrong direction.
Rick Hilles (here is my address and phone number since you do not have it...)1026 E Olive StBozeman, MT 59715406-223-5014
---------- Forwarded message ---------From: Engage Bozeman <notifications@engagementhq.com>Date: Mon, Oct 16, 2023 at 2:33 PMSubject: Pressing pause on the UDC projectTo: <rjhilles@gmail.com>
Hi rjhilles,
We are reaching out this afternoon with a timely update on the UDC project - check
out today's press release below.
Bozeman Mayor, Commission Pause Unified Development Code Update
Process
City looks to hear from more residents before making a decision
Post Date: 10/16/2023 12:00 PM
After months of engagement and many comments from residents asking for more
time to give feedback, Bozeman’s Mayor and Commission have decided to put the
Unified Development Code Update timeline on hold until after the first of the year to
provide additional opportunities for community engagement.
“This is not a decision that we make lightly. We know the staff has spent a lot of
time and effort meeting with community groups, setting up event engagement
stations, and hosting meetings on the project,” Mayor Cyndy Andrus explained.
“We’ve also heard from many residents recently who are expressing concern that
they are just now learning about the project. We want to acknowledge that and
allow more time for them to learn about the proposed updates and hear their
comments and suggestions. Everyone deserves a chance to speak and feel heard. It
is our experience that public input and suggestions often result in a better plan.”
The Unified Development Code (UDC) is the part of the city code that outlines the
rules and regulations for development within the city. The city launched the update
effort in the summer of 2022 to align with the city’s guiding policies and goals
around growth, sustainability, and affordable housing.
Since the project kicked off in July 2022, City of Bozeman staff, consultants, and
partners have attended and hosted over 70 different meetings and events. A plan
for future opportunities for the public to weigh in and the new timeline for when the
Commission will hear the Code Update will be developed over the next few months.
“With Commissioner Pomeroy’s resignation and the upcoming election, delaying the
process until early 2024 will allow any new members of the Commission time to get
up to speed and make thoughtful decisions without being rushed”, says Andrus.
“Our City Code addresses complex issues like housing and growth that require
robust discussions. This effort is a crucial piece of addressing some of those issues.
We hope this delay shows we are listening and agree that more time is needed
before we act. The UDC update provides all Bozeman residents the chance to come
together in the spirit of improving our code and our community.”
More information on the project can be found at engage.bozeman.net/udc.
Thanks to all who have provided input on the project so far!
-The Engage Bozeman Team
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