HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-22-24 Public Comment - M. Kaveney - Attn_ Comm. Dev. Board mtng. Jan.22, 2024From:Marcia Kaveney
To:Agenda
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Attn: Comm. Dev. Board mtng. Jan.22, 2024
Date:Monday, January 22, 2024 9:47:47 AM
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Dear Community Development Board Members-
I have reviewed tonight's agenda and would like to make a couple of comments that I hope
you will bear in mind. I regret I can't be there in person but have a conflicting meeting.
In regards to "Changes in Agenda":As someone trying to follow city annexations and zone map amendments, I find the order of
tonight's Action Items confusing. Action Items F1, F2, and F4 are all related to one propertyand are separated by F3- a completely unrelated item. Additionally, the decision for F4 might
make F2 mute. Perhaps a reordering of Action Items with F4,F1, F2, followed by F3 wouldmake better sense and be more efficient.
In regards to Action Item F2 and F4:
It's confusing that the staff recommendation for B2M up-zoning is recommended in F2 but inF4 the staff do not recommend changing the zoning map to accommodate that change.
I disagree with their findings in F2 in which they recommend approving the up-zoning from
R1 and R2 to B2M. However, I wholeheartedly agree with the staff with theirrecommendation in F4 to deny the zone map amendment and urge you all to do the same.
That area does not "desperately" need a commercial node. There is an existing commercial tothe north on Kagy and 11th, and one has already been approved to the south-east in
Blackwood Groves. Additional large scale commercial is likely to go unused- as one can seewith the empty commercial areas on East Main St.
In my opinion from what I've witnessed in the downtown core and along Bridger Drive, B2M
serves the developer most in that many obstacles that maintain neighborhood character areremoved to accommodate greater lot coverage and minimized parking. According to code
description B2M zoning is a destination type of commercial zoning that belongs near majorarteries, larger population densities and is not meant to serve neighborhoods. The Urban
Residential designation on the FLUM allows for B1 which is much more aligned withneighborhood residential. Its smaller scale accommodates coffee shops, small groceries such
as Joe's Parkway, restaurants, etc. while still allowing 3 story buildings and mixed use. B1 alsosupports the walkable goals of the growth policy.
I believe there is still a place for R1 zoning with small lots, and especially R2 which
comprises a very small percentage of zoning in Bozeman, especially in light of our continuallydivided water supply and until the cash-in-lieu of water option sunsets. I also believe zoning
changes should be made very slowly to increase predictability for the public in the city'sgrowth pattern.
I urge you all to vote no on Action Items F1, F2, and F4. Let's let the current zoning play out a
little longer or at least not zone beyond the Urban Neighborhood designation of the Future
Land Use Map.
Thank you for your time and consideration of these comments.
Marcia Kaveney