HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-16-24 Public Comment - A. Sweeney - Attn_ City Commission and Community Development Board THE GUTHRIEFrom:Alison Sweeney
To:Agenda
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Attn: City Commission and Community Development Board THE GUTHRIE
Date:Tuesday, January 16, 2024 10:55:10 AM
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Does this proposal NOT sit right with anyone else?
https://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/news/city/affordable-housing-proposed-for-
midtown-bozeman-area/article_e19071ec-a427-11ee-a2a2-4706015230f2.html
To me it sounds like housing for Homebase workers disguised as a benevolent gift to the cityof 50% affordable units.
In the article Andy Holloran admits to wanting 1/2 the "affordable" units to house his own
workers. Employees I'm pretty sure he's not paying 80% AMI, so he's going to recover theirwages in rent. All that's needed for a return to the coal town model from 100 years ago is a
Company Store, and for Homebase to start issuing Scrip.
Is this really the best we can do on affordable housing in Bozeman?
With every unit being only a single bedroom there will be no possibility for families to livethere, with children to attend Whittier School. This would be a true benefit to theneighborhood.
And parking for only 30% of the units will leave over 60 units looking for parking (for 1 or 2cars) on the surrounding neighborhood streets! Streets that are already heavily burdened twicea day when school starts and finishes. Has nothing been learned from the Elm having noparking?
The proposed 5 story structure is going to repeat the negative impacts of the North Centraldevelopment on the Midtown neighborhoods, where current homeowners will lose their accessto sunlight on their homes. Creating a domino effect of displacement for redevelopment.
If there is any way for this commission or development board to influence this project, pleaseadvocate for the following:
revisit the need to tear down the existing structure. I'm sure there's options forrenovations that come in under $20 million!If he really does get to tear it down and redevelop, could the city insist on some 2bedroom affordable units so there is atleast a hope for families to access affordablehousing near an existing elementary school.step backs to preserve access to sunlight for the neighborhood to the north. Ideally thiswould be addressed in the UDC update as appropriate zone edge transitions even whenthe transition is across a street.increased parking requirements to lessen the negative impacts on the surroundingneighborhood.
When is the public allowed to weigh in on this project? And does the surroundingneighborhood actually have the ability to influence anything? Or does Homebase just always
get their way?
I believe we have smart, capable, people in this city, (and serving on both the commission anddevelopment board). We can do affordable housing better! Without destroying the
surrounding neighborhood.
Alison B. SweeneyBernadette's Handmade Jewelry
Bozeman MT406-404-5740
alison-bernadettes.com