HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-22-24 Public Comment - B. & C. Beamer - Harper's Corner Annexation •
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2320 Watts Lane
Bozeman, MT 59718
January 18, 2024
City of Bozeman Zoning Commission
121 North Rouse Ave
Bozeman, MT 59771-1230
Re:Application 23127 for Harper's Corner Annexation and Zone Map Ammendment
To Whom it May Concern:
We are writing the commission as a concerned resident of Bozeman,whose property is within 100 feet
of the proposed development, Harper's Corner. We are strongly protesting the current proposal for R4
zoning and have numerous,serious concerns outlined below:
The area around the proposed development is low density, rural, agricultural land. Placing an R4
development here would be grossly out of character with the surrounding environment and zoning.
Apart from the mobile home park, adjacent to the proposed development,all surrounding homes are on
large parcels, and many are on acreage. Nothing surrounding this proposed development is high density.
The infrastructure of this area is no designed or able to support a development of this size without
significant environmental and community impacts.
Hidden Valley Road and Harper Pucket Road are 2 lane roads with significant grade, no shoulder, and
deep irrigation and drainage ditches running alongside them. The infrastructure for R4 housing in this
development would require sidewalks, curbs,significant plumbing/sewer/electric. This would
significantly impact Maynard Creek that runs right along the proposed development and through my
property. The water table on those 40 acres is incredibly high and "dewatering"to allow for foundations
and infrastructure to be laid would affect the quality and quantity of our ground water, potentially drying
up wells for me and my neighbors. The downstream affects along Maynard Creek will be felt by wildlife
and communities downstream.
The number of residents that would occupy these 40 acres would significantly impact travel along the
surrounding 2 lane country roads. School busses pick up children along these roads where there is no
shoulder and the chance of a child being struck will increase significantly. There's a 5%grade when going
west on Hidden Valley toward Watts Lane and Harper Pucket where collisions have unfortunately
occurred, and the chances of these occurring with more frequency will naturally rise with increased
traffic.
We understand that Bozeman and Gallatin Country are growing. We understand that high density
housing, and affordable housing are needed. Unfortunately,those two terms do not necessarily go hand
in hand, and most developers are building high end apartment buildings in attempt to maximize profits,
thus not solving the underlying problem. Placing R4 zoning amongst 5-acre parcels and farm land will
quite frankly"stick out like a sore thumb." Single family homes,condos,and duplexes are also needed in
Bozeman for young families and those who may be downsizing.This sort of development(111 or 112)
seems much more in line with the surrounding landscape of the proposed Harper's Corner development.
Thank you for hearing and considering our concerns. We understand that growth is here to stay but
hope that it can be handled in a calculated,thoughtful way that focuses on preserving the beauty and
character that has attracted so many to Bozeman and the Gallatin Valley. Haphazardly placing
developments around town without a tactile theme or consistency will simply ruin this beautiful area.
Zoning high density residential developments in industrial or commercial areas with high traffic,
appropriately engineered roadways, and high population density makes far more sense than placing
something like the proposed R4 development amongst rural ag land that lacks"high density"character
and infrastructure. Please consider downgrading the zoning to something more reasonable and
consistent with the surrounding environment and will have less detrimental impact on those who live in
the surrounding developments.
Sincerely,
Brandon and Christine Beamer