HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-16-23 Public Comment - P. Steinmuller - Memorandum of Understanding - Left Lane DevelopmentFrom:Patti Steinmuller
To:Agenda
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Memorandum of Understanding - Left Lane Development
Date:Wednesday, November 15, 2023 12:37:01 PM
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City Commissioners:
I am commenting on the memorandum of understanding (MOU) by Left Lane Development that
requests leasing the parking lot of the Bozeman Public Library for two consecutive 75-year periods
so that a large parking garage can be built on that site and used primarily by occupants of a hotel
and rental complex. The development would pay the city $1/year for each or two sets of 75-years to
lease the property.
As a community member and our public library user, I strongly urge the library board of trustees to
oppose this MOU. The city of Bozeman has provided the Bozeman Public Library with management
of the city property on which the library parking lot was built. As such, the library has been given the
authority by the city to decide whether two consecutive 75-year leases of this property are in the
best interest of the public and entire community.
I view this MOU as a taking of the city’s public property, a constraint on potential use of the space by
the library or the city, and a loss of opportunity for the library to consider adding infrastructure on
the site to fulfill future public library needs. Besides the loss of the parking lot for library patrons, this
MOU would also eliminate green space, established trees, and sculptures erected in the area west
and south of the library. The library is a hub of the community and the green space and sculpture
area provide a welcome respite from street noise, traffic, and nearby buildings. $275,000 cash-in-
lieu was provided by the Village Downtown to secure additional green space west of the library. Loss
of that green space would be an unwarranted taking of public land. Considering the Bozeman
Community Plan, loss of that green space would violate many components of Theme 4 - city
influenced by our natural environment, parks, and open lands of the 2020 Bozeman Community
Plan.
In my opinion, the risks, and substantial losses to the public and to library patrons and staff greatly
outweigh the minor potential benefit of limited but not guaranteed parking in the parking garage.
Additionally, the fact that library staff would need to accompany any member of the public who
wanted to view the proposed roof top garden above the parking garage, displays divisiveness,
discrimination, and elitism, all of which are the opposite of inclusiveness, a core commitment of our
community. The proposed hotel complex and parking garage is a poor fit for the Bozeman
community, public space, and especially detrimental to the library by severely limiting the capacity
of the library to grow into the future and serve the increasing population of Bozeman, including
Bozeman’s commitment to providing open space and green space that is inviting, inclusive, and
provides opportunity for outdoor enjoyment, pedestrian travel, art, and culture. Please reject this
project should the developer contact the city.
Patti
Patti Steinmuller
(she, her, hers)
952 Knolls Drive
Bozeman, MT 59715-7430
psteinmul@msn.com
406-209-4160