HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-12-24 Public Comment - D. Hanson - Comments to the UDC for the City of BozemanFrom:Tom Rogers
To:Agenda
Subject:Comments to the UDC for the City of Bozeman
Date:Wednesday, January 10, 2024 9:30:07 AM
Comment for Application 21381, UDC Overhaul.
From: DOUG HANSON <dlh1253@msn.com>
Sent: Wednesday, January 10, 2024 8:31 AM
To: Tom Rogers <TRogers@BOZEMAN.NET>
Subject: [EXTERNAL]Comments to the UDC for the City of Bozeman
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Following are my comments relative to the UDC for Bozeman.
First, I must say that the only reason I can see that SB 382 was passed was to benefit
developers. It certainly wasn't to benefit the general population, or to preserve and protect
existing and established neighborhoods.
The City should not eliminate single family residential zoning and allow higher density housing
within these areas. Higher density development within established single family, residential
neighborhoods will degrade these neighborhoods and destroy the character of them.
Allowing higher density development within these areas will also result in more traffic and
parking problems.
The City should only consider this mixed residential zoning in new subdivisions and
developments. This mixed zoning should not apply to, nor be considered for, existing single-
family residential areas.
The City should always require off-street parking for any high-density developments, North
Willson Avenue, near the Medical Arts building, is a prime example. Before the new housing
was constructed, parking was only allowed on the east side of the street. With the new
development, not enough off-street parking was required, and the City allowed parking on
both sides of Willson. This has created a safety hazard and a traffic bottleneck where two cars
cannot pass each other, for about 3 blocks. In the event of a fire, the Fire Department can't
get through this bottleneck if there is other traffic. When the development was approved, the
boulevards should have been made narrower, so that two vehicles could pass with the parking
on both sides of the street. This problem should not be repeated. All new developments have
to be required to provide adequate off-street parking.
Because of the extremely high cost of rent and price of real estate in Bozeman, there will be
multiple families living in housing units intended for single family occupancy. This will increase
parking requirements and problems. Again, all new developments have to provide adequate
off-street parking.
The City should not allow a triplex or fourplex in single unit dwelling areas, especially in
established neighborhoods.
The City should adopt a reasonable minimum lot size, not eliminate or reduce the minimum
lot size. Reducing or eliminating the minimum lot size, and packing houses in like sardines will
not reduce demands on services like fire and police protection. When buildings are packed
into such close proximity to each other, if there is a fire, you are guaranteeing that there will
be multiple structures burned and damaged. The Fire Department will have a very difficult
time containing the fire to one structure.
And for the residents of these "crowded" developments, the fact is that when people live that
close to their neighbors, the number and severity of neighbor-to-neighbor conflicts and
disagreements will increase. This will result in more police calls to these residences.
The City needs to consider the value of the Bozeman area, not just be interested in more tax
base. With the rapid growth and development of the area within the last few years, much of
the character and history of the Bozeman area is being changed dramatically and not for the
better. Bozeman doesn't need to become a "big city", with row houses and buildings covering
all the land in the Gallatin Valley.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment.
Doug Hanson
2501 Westridge Drive
Bozeman, MT 59715