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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-05-24 Public Comment - Multiple Residents - Ponderosa Pine LetterDear Ms. Brown, Ms. Johnson, and Mr. Egeberg, We are writing regarding a recent article in the Bozeman Daily Chronicle (2/26/24) about the proposed Main Street Hotel (507 W. Main St, Bozeman, MT) building site plan currently being reviewed by the City of Bozeman's (City) Community Development Department. We note that we located your names in the City's Project Planning Folder, Application No.22176. (https://weblink.bozeman.net/WebLink/Browse.aspx?id=265134&dbid=0&repo=BOZEMAN). Although 507 W. Main St in Bozeman is a suitable location for a hotel, we and many other Bozeman residents are disappointed—if not dismayed—that the large (3-ft dia.) ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa, the MT State Tree) on the building site is slated to be cut down, unnecessarily. During demolition of the former hotel-restaurant complex on the site, care was taken to leave this ponderosa pine standing. As such, we and many other Bozeman residents assumed it would be left standing during the construction of your hotel. Although this large ponderosa pine tree may have suffered some damage to its root system during demolition of the former hotel- restaurant complex, it is possible that this tree could survive for many more years if given proper care***. Consequently, we are writing to ask you—as investor/owner, applicant, and representative of the 5th and Main Hotel—to work with Bozeman residents and with the City's Department of Community Development to save the large ponderosa pine on the 5th and Main Hotel property. You may not know that this ponderosa pine is arguably the oldest and finest example of a mature ponderosa pine in the City of Bozeman. Based on USDA morphology calculations, it may be at least 150 years old—as old as the City of Bozeman itself. * Ponderosa pine is a hardy species and can live for many centuries. The oldest known ponderosa pine was found in Colorado and was over 1000 years old when it died.** Consequently, with proper care, the ponderosa pine on the 5th and Main Hotel property could outlive us all. We believe this is a reasonable request because the location of the pine is in the future parking lot, not only adding abundant shade but well outside of the proposed hotel building site. Please know that saving the large ponderosa pine on the 5th and Main Hotel property would leave a lasting, positive legacy not only for you but for the City of Bozeman, as well. Thank you for considering our request. We eagerly await your response. Sincerely, The following Bozeman Community Members: Marcia Kaveney, Bozeman Tree Coalition (BTC) member Angie Kociolek, BTC member Dan Krza, Resident Evan Krza, Resident Daniel Carty, Resident, BTC member Ken Sinay, Resident, Tourism Business Owner Alison Sweeney, Vice Chair of the Better Bozeman Coalition (BBC) Laurie Thatcher, Resident Laura Goodell, Resident Elizabeth Darrow Jim Walseth Diana Olive Kenneth Buchanan Mary Sadowski Patricia A McGow Rose Toth Joanne Dornan Harry Brandt Noah ten Broek Michael J. Gutkoski Gail Schontzler Keith McCafferty Deb Boom Diana Smith Brooke Russell David Ghicadus Dale Pickard Debra De Bode Mike and Gail Hannon Steve Holland Kathy Powell Marianne Filloux Emily and Alan Hooker Stephen Carlson Jodi Hedges, Bozeman Resident Jesse Gentner Kimberly Roberts Phyllis Bock and Bob Nichol Faye Boom Rose Marie, James, Travis, and Cyrstal Cain Beth MacFawn, Landscape Designer Betsy Buffington Paul Rishel, Bozeman Resident Sally Stephenson, Resident Susie Larson Gina Carolan Alison Todd Emily Mason Jeanne Carter Kathleen Rabel Tessa Nunlist Inese Wheeler Kerry Corcoran Wren Kilian Taylor Ladd Duncan and Bob Bullock Marcia Leritz Corey LaForge Michelle Osman, Better Bozeman Coalition Janet Kempff Royce Gorsuch Diane Birdsall Chris Marie Forest Chaundera Wolfe Lauri McCarthy, Resident George M. Livingston Larry and Collette Brooks Hops Barbara Aas Eileen West Milana Lazetich Jill Pence Millie Carson Lou Walters, Resident Nancy Johnson Jaylyn Jensen, Resident Zac Taylor, Resident Andrew Epple, Resident Paulette Epple, Sacajawea Audubon Society member Amy Katz, Resident Lou Ann Harris Jan Strout, Bozeman Resident Colleen Keller Yvonne Rudman Will and Jennifer Swearingen Jessica Roberts Lila Cebulla Laurie McKinney, Resident Lara Schultz and Chris McQueary, BTC members Kathy Carey Alaina Lammer Knight and Phil Knight James Klabunde Richard Hardy Ann Vinciguerra and Mike Best Michael Kelly MaryEllen and Christopher Spogis Eliza Spogis Richard Bakker Marie Lynn Marilee Brown Barbara Graham Erin McHenry May Vaughan Kent Madin and Linda Svendsen Felix Spinelli Karen Williams Bailey Murphy Jane and Bob Hawks Kenneth Silvestri Rod Gilbert Marsha Thill David Quammen and Betsy Gaines Quammen Kate Cremer-Vogel Linda Hunnicutt Eleanor Williams Clark Regan Nelson Jane Roberts Carolyn Leavengood Kathleen Wietlispach Beth Madden Anna Duderstadt Sydney Wallace Brian E. Wallace Nancy Beebe Craig and Jennie Lee Lori Goss Lawson Pete Mommsen Diane Brawner Margo Bade Pam Spinelli Kevin Young June B. Safford Bok Jenny Sowell Liesl Pessl Deidra Booth Beth Caplan Mike Herring and Suzanne Held Heather Musselman Alyce Larsson Ellen T. Lamm Zehra Osman Amanda House Don Jackson Margaret Spinelli PS. Bozeman has been losing many trees to demolition the past several years and most residents we know would rejoice in the protection of a large legacy tree such as this ponderosa pine. There are many environmental groups in Bozeman that would also likely rally around the protection of a legacy tree. This year the Gallatin Valley Earth Day group is highlighting "trees" as its theme to raise awareness about all the benefits of keeping trees alive and well in our community. Bozeman is also in the process of developing a Heritage Tree Program through the Historic Preservation Department for which this pine would be a perfect fit. *https://www.fs.usda.gov/rm/pubs_journals/rmrs/sycu/2020/sycu5_2020_01_morphology.pdf **https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/boise/learning/nature- science/?cid=fsed_009755#:~:text=Ponderosa%20%3Bpine%20can%20live%20for,year%20old% 20when%20it%20died. ***Critical Root Zone: https://www.urbanforestnursery.com/extras/criticalrootzone.html