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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-09-24 Public Comment - A. Sweeney - Attn Community Development Board #2From:Alison Sweeney To:Agenda Subject:[EXTERNAL]Attn Community Development Board Date:Tuesday, January 9, 2024 5:52:48 AM Attachments:Sweeney-Public Comment Jan 8.docx CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Thank you Chairman Happle for requesting that Natsuki and I submit our oral publiccomments to your board here. Sorry for forgetting to state my name and address at the beginning of delivery. Though I've been doing it a lot lately, public speaking in that setting is not easy for me. It usually takes myheart about an hour to stop pounding after doing so. And since I forgot to write my name and address in my comments for delivery I didn't say them. I'll remember next time. I appreciateyour addressing the flaws in the system of public comment, and thank you for listening to us. I've attached my oral public comments from the January 8th meeting. I would add that there is a reason that Historic Preservation is listed on the city website under the Community Development Department. If historic preservation is a priority of acommunity (and I would argue that it is in Bozeman) then it needs to be part of the conversation when addressing growth and development. I am not suggesting we put the NCOD under glass. But in the face of rapid growth it isimportant to stress adapt and reuse strategies when developing within historic districts, and historic neighborhoods for that matter. Historic districts can be dissolved if compromised toomuch by new development. Renovating existing structures is also the most sustainable approach. In today's climate my home would have been considered a tear down. However, my husband and I spent 15years renovating for structural integrity, energy efficiency, energy production, and neighborhood aesthetics. I hope this home is safe for the next century. Anyway, now that I've written an essay... Thank you, Alison B. SweeneyBernadette's Handmade Jewelry Bozeman MT406-404-5740 alison-bernadettes.com Good evening, and thank you for taking public comment tonight. Happy New Year! I’m looking forward to hearing your scheduled conversation about recommendations to the City Commission on priorities for the coming year. I’m anticipating the conversation will likely include when and how the city revisits the UDC overhaul. I hope you had a chance to read the Alliance Review publication I sent you about how older housing inventory is more affordable, especially to renters, than new developments? And the Bozeman Magazine article “Zoned for Tear down” pointing out that upzoning the central neighborhoods will put smaller, older, more affordable homes, at risk for redevelopment. As you are bombarded by the voices pushing for density and the redevelopment of our neighborhoods, consider whether or not it matters to you WHO has access to the central neighborhoods in Bozeman. OR is it really just the most important thing to get as many units of housing into the central neighborhoods as possible, regardless of the fact that you will be locking out people of lower economic standing for decades into the future. The City Commission’s adoption of the Belonging in Bozeman Plan, a decision I wholeheartedly support, suggests that we DO care WHO gets to live here. I hope you will consider strengthening historic preservation regulations as a way to preserve the currently more affordable housing that we already have. And please consider NOT upzoning the central neighborhoods as it can only lead to gentrification. Commissioner Madgic agreed with the SWMBIA representative at the December 12th city commission meeting, that there are many new units coming online in the next 18 months that are going to greatly change the housing landscape. And this is occurring under the current density allowances. A Montana Free Press article recently pointed out that net In- migration has slowed. Given this, I would suggest our housing problems are a lack of affordable housing, not as much a lack of units. The evidence demonstrates that the redevelopment of our core neighborhoods CAN NOT give us affordable housing. Please keep these things in mind as you advise on policy this year. And remember Our central and historic neighborhoods are what gives Bozeman its tangible connection to the past As well as its sense of place.