HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-18-23 Public Comment - M. Johnson - Kudos on the Draft Bozeman R-A zone standardsFrom:Markus Johnson
To:Agenda
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Kudos on the Draft Bozeman R-A zone standards
Date:Friday, December 15, 2023 8:09:05 PM
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Hello,
I am a planner who lives and works in Seattle, and I just wanted to pass along that I think
you're doing some really good stuff for housing choice and abundance for Bozeman with the
draft standards out right now for R-A and R-B zones. I'm a consultant, so I have a few middle
housing/ADU-related projects, and no Washington city other than Spokane, WA is allowing as
many units by right as you are proposing. One of Washington's statewide bills requires 6 units
when within ¼ mile of transit, but for the most part, our largest cities are only required to do 4
units per lot. The Bozeman proposal would double that by right with no qualifiers, which is
incredibly impressive and closer to what I believe Seattle should be doing.
I also wanted to note that I like that it seems you're moving away from minimum lot size
(unless that was already the case) and just setting a minimum width you'd like to see. On one
of my projects, we've discussed whether to regulate bulk just using lot coverage. Personally, I
like the approach when you allow a reasonable amount of units, which is why I like the
proposed alignment of 40% lot coverage for up to 8 units. 40% lot coverage is what a good
amount of Washington cities have just for 1 unit single-family house or what some people
want to see for 2-3 units (while still allowing 3 stories), and in my opinion is part of the reason
for the trend in Washington of detached houses getting bigger and therefore costing more. I
think the 8 units to 40% lot coverage is a much better alignment for building more housing
and more attainable housing.
Anyway, good luck with the remaining process. Hope to read good news in the New Year.
Best,
Markus Johnson
Planner/Urban Designer
(he/him)
MAKERS architecture and urban design LLP
direct 206 602 6134 | markusj@makersarch.com
www.makersarch.com
MAKERS is a certified women-owned small business (Federal WOSB & Washington WBE/DBE).