HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-26-24 Public Comment - A. Kociolek - Public comment for City Commission Priority Special Meeting - Fri Jan 26, 2024From:Angela Kociolek To:Agenda Subject:[EXTERNAL]Public comment for City Commission Priority Special Meeting - Fri Jan 26, 2024 Date:Thursday, January 25, 2024 1:12:49 PM 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. Dear Bozeman City Commission, As you discuss and vote on your 2024-2025 priorities, please keep in mind themes that came up time and again this past year: 1. Being better stewards of trees, land and water and 2. Protecting existing neighborhoods as we try to keep Bozeman affordable. 1. Being better stewards of trees, land and water The protection of standing trees - whether they are on private or public land within the City - has a cumulative positive effect on all aspects of the Bozeman Community as a whole. They are our best asset for climate resiliency. They are the focus on Branch Out Bozeman, a partnership in which the Bozeman Parks Dept. is attempting to expand the tree canopy. Allowing the cutting of trees just sets us back on that goal. Trees offer habitat, carbon sequestration, shade, etc. etc. and are key to a healthful environment for all. Sadly, our existing BMC codes are either not strong enough to be implemented or are simply not being implemented - case in point, Canyon Gate. In order for history to not repeat itself, we need to prioritize the codification and protection of trees as we build. We also need to figure out how to incentivize the preservation of heritage trees, a project of the Historic Preservation Board, and other native vegetation within the City. GallatinValley Earth Day, another partnership with the City, hosted Doug Tallamy https://homegrownnationalpark.org/. Now it’s time to follow through on his advice. Additionally, the Parks Department internal priorities include: Integrate Forestry staff into Building/Planning more Integrate PRAT developemt and policy reccomendations into UDC (PRAT) I support these priorities that bridge the gap between protection of our urban forest and the destruction of it through our current building review and approval practices. At the same time, we must be diligent about water use and ensuring clean water for all - and not allow it to be squandered unnecessarily for more luxury apartment buildings or sprawling developments that chop up ag lands. Bozeman’s growth must be done in concert with the realities of its water supply. When we use only what we need and protect the resource then we will be doing our part to be a regional leader which is what the Sensitive Lands Protection Plan is all about. Prioritize giving this recently approved plan teeth. Whatever you call it, please prioritize the protection of trees and water. It cannot wait and it just makes sense. 2. Protecting existing neighborhoods as we try to keep Bozeman affordable When the UDC re-write ramps back up, be sure to prioritize existing neighborhoods, the people who already live here, the people who already pay taxes here. Prioritize people who really live in Bozeman and not just have the luxury of having crash pads here. We don’t need to up zone our core neighborhoods in the attempt to create “affordable housing." We need to be creative within the limits of state law. We need to protect the quality of life of the people that made Bozeman so attractive to begin with. We need to prioritize the lives of regular citizens over development interests. Thank you, Angie Kociolek 620 N Tracy Ave Bozeman, MT 59715