HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-16-23 Public Comment - P. Coppolillo - Opposed to Left Lane ProjectFrom:Pete Coppolillo
To:Agenda; Susan Gregory
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Opposed to Left Lane Project
Date:Wednesday, November 15, 2023 1:48:16 PM
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Hello,
As a Bozeman resident and concerned stakeholder, I am writing to voice my opposition to the
Left Lane project's intent to expand into the Bozeman Public Library's parking lot. I feel thisway for many reasons:
1. A private equity project doesn't need to spill into public space. The proposeddevelopment will be wildly profitable even if it stays within the footprint that they
would own. Why should we as Bozeman citizens be obliged to make it even morelucrative? I would feel this way even if the developer was proposing fair market price
or a land swap, but $1/year? That's insane (see #2). They need to make their projectwork within the footprint of the property they buy.
2. Privatizing Public Resources is Inappropriate. If I'm reading their proposal correctly,what is currently public space would become the Hotel's property and the public (via the
Library) would have access only at the pleasure of the Hotel management. And as soonas a hotel patron decides not to like that, the hotel could then revoke or restrict access or
make the process so onerous that the Library and Bozemanites cannot access it. Nothank you. Enough of our public resources are getting privatized. We need less, not
more, of that!3. To encumber the Library in perpetuity would be short sighted and irresponsible.
Finally, forever is a very long time. I, my children, and my community have allbenefited from a spacious and well equipped library. As Bozeman grows, our needs will
undoubtedly grow as well, and that may mean up. To foreclose our options formaintaining a sufficient public resource like a library is crazy. Don't do it!
As Library Trustees, and trustees of the public's interests, I encourage you to say no to LeftLane's request.
Thank you,
Pete Coppolillo2468 Blackfeet Ln.
Bozeman, 59715
Pete Coppolillo | +1 406 451 4267 | Pete.Coppolillo@GMail.com