HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-05-23 Public Comment - B. Cooke - Baxter 80 Annexation and Zone Map Amendment – Application 23208From:Barb thecpa To:Agenda Subject:[EXTERNAL]Baxter 80 Annexation and Zone Map Amendment – Application 23208 Date:Monday, February 5, 2024 11:30:37 AM Attachments:Baxter 80 Annexation and Zone Map Amendment Application 23208 Protest Letter_0001.pdf 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. 02/02/2024 RE: Adjacent Owner Protest for Application # 23208 – Baxter Annexation and Zone Map Amendment To: City of Bozeman Department of Community Development, ATTN: Tom Rogers, PO Box 1230, Bozeman, MT 59771-1230 at agenda@bozeman.net From: Barbara Cooke at bc@barbthecpa.com Dear City of Bozeman Commissioners, Thank you for your time and consideration of this matter. I received a notice of a proposed annexation and associated zone map amendment application (23208) and I reside at an adjacent property 5785 Saxon Way, Unit B, Bozeman, MT 59178 with ownership of one of the units in the Stella View Condo Association. In light of the application’s R-4 (Residential High Density) and R-5 (Residential High Density –Mixed) initial zoning designations, I am filing this protest to these proposed zoning designations and respectfully ask the City Commissioners to reject these designations based on the inconsistencies with the surrounding medium to moderate density neighborhoods, lack of apparent trails and open space and lack of planned protection of the wetlands. I request that the City Commissioners ask the developer to modify this proposal in the following ways to better align with the Bozeman Community Plan and protection of Sensitive Wetlands and Open Space. Declaratory Reasons for Rejecting R4/R5 Zoning: (1) The Proposal Would Create a Lack of Transitionary Zoning and Zoning Imbalance: Currently we have pockets of R4 (Residential High Density) designation scattered throughout the Laurel Glen Homeowners Association and neighborhood, the density consists of two-story apartment buildings that blend in well with the other two-story housing types that have setbacks from roads and sidewalks. My residence consists of a two-story condo unit next to a single-family home with moderate to medium density in our sub-area of the neighborhood. To maintain consistency with the character of our neighborhood and R3 zoning designation, I request that a portion of this proposal be R3 and limited to two-story dwellings with setbacks and small yards to maintain this moderate to medium density. (2) The proposal does not address protection of Sensitive Wetlands and Open Space Enshrined inthe Sensitive Lands Plan and Bozeman 2020 Community Plan. Without a site plan from the developer there is no assurance that the proposed R4 and R5 high density designations for App. 23208 would protect sensitive wetlands that spread out from several creeks, including Baxter Creek, Ajacker Creek and McDonald Creek. Because this property contains significant sensitive wetlands, I request that the developer with modifications reserve and create open space, trails and parks around these wetlands to preserve them for wildlife habitat, for the enjoyment and well-being of the residents of all the surrounding areas and to increase walkability through the development to maintain a “high-quality environment” as described in the Bozeman 2020 Community Plan under the City Responsibility section. I hope that you as the City Commissioners will consider the full range of issues that this proposal entails and fully balance the needs of the impacted surrounding residents with the interests of the developer in accordance with the Bozeman 2020 Community Plan as well as the Sensitive Lands Plan. Sincerely, Barbara Cooke Barbara Cooke Owner of 5757 Saxon Way Unit B Bozeman MT