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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-16-24 Public Comment - M. Wolffe - Baxter 80 Annexation and Zone Map Amendment – Application 23208 by the CommunityFrom:Marijane To:Agenda Subject:[EXTERNAL]Baxter 80 Annexation and Zone Map Amendment – Application 23208 by the Community Date:Thursday, February 15, 2024 11:15:46 AM Attachments:Laurel Glen HOA Zoning Designation Comment.pdf Laurel Glen HOA Zoning Designation Comment.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. Hello, Attached is a letter with my comments addressing the Baxter 80 Annexation andZone Map Amendment – Application 23208 by the Community. Thank you for yourreview and the opportunity to voice my thoughts/concerns for this project. Please note that I will be mailing a hard copy as well to the attention of Tom Rogersat the following address: Attn: Tom RogersRe: Baxter 80 Application 23208C/O City Clerk121 North Rouse AvenuePO Box 1230Bozeman, MT 59771 We appreciate your consideration as you make a decision regarding the zoning of this land.Please let me know that you have received my email. Sincerely, Marijane Wolff1260 Baxter Creek Way ABozeman MT 59718 Attn: Tom Rogers Re: Baxter 80 Application 23208 C/O City Clerk 121 North Rouse Avenue PO Box 1230 Bozeman, MT 59771 ATTN: Tom Rogers RE: Baxter 80 Annexation and Zone Map Amendment – Application 23208 by the Community Dear Community Development Board, I oppose the zoning designation of R4 – High Density and R5 – High Density Mixed Use for the following compelling reasons: (1) The Bozeman 2020 Community Plan asserts that “the needs of new and existing development coexist and they should remain in balance, neither should overwhelm the other (Bozeman 2020 Community Plan, p. 20) • Although we have pockets of R4 high density in our neighborhoods, the apartment complexes are smaller and limited to two stories with setbacks that blend in well with more medium to moderate zoned areas. • An abrupt transition to R-4 (Residential High Density) and R-5 (Residential High- Density - Mixed) would threaten to overwhelm our more medium to moderate density neighborhood areas and would create an imbalance between the two-story character of our residences and the potential three to four story dwellings with out of place commercial businesses mixed in. • We bought our homes knowing there would be no commercial businesses nearby in well-established residential neighborhoods. Businesses do not always make the best neighbors and there are valid and legitimate reasons for separating them from residential areas. Today’s coffee shop can become tomorrow’s pawn shop. (2) According to the Bozeman 2020 Community Plan under the City Responsibility section, it states that: “the City’s primary function is to provide a safe, healthy, and high-quality environment….. The way a community is shaped through………green spaces can contribute to the well-being of residents” (Bozeman 2020 Community Plan, p. 21). • The property contains significant wetlands that spread out from Baxter, Ajacker, and McDonald Creeks and should be protected to support our well-being with green space in the form of parks along the wetlands for current and future residents to enjoy. • The R4 and R5 designations could negatively impact the wetlands and shrink the opportunity to establish parks along them. • If a high-density development is added there without parks and protection of the wetlands, many of those residents will seek out our parks and green spaces that we pay to maintain. On a personal note, I own one of the Creekstone Condominiums across from Oak Street. I was the first one to purchase these units after they were built. I purchased here before Oak Street was even developed. I have seen many changes to the area and Bozeman in general. Currently, every Spring there are sandhill cranes that live in the field that is being considered as well as bald eagles and blue herons. It has been a mecca for wildlife. The area is peaceful and well kept. Of course, we recognize that the area will be developed and we are not resisting development in general. We just would like for the zoning to be harmonious with our existing, long-standing neighborhoods. It is our hope that the zoning could reflect our neighborhoods and the existing zoning in the area to create a buffer zone. There is a creek that runs through the property. The zoning could be graduated from a lower density R2-3 [reflective of the existing homes and neighborhood] right next to the road north of Oak and then increase in density [if it has too] as it moves north toward Baxter where there is no housing to conflict with the higher zone. I would hope that R3-4 would be the highest level density to be considered. Thank you for taking the time to carefully consider these compelling reasons for rejecting this zoning proposal and the potential for it to adversely impact our well-established residential neighborhoods. Sincerely, Marijane Wolff 1260 Baxter Creek Way Unit A Bozeman MT 59718