HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-01-24 Public Comment - B. Cestero - Fwd_ The Guthrie, App 23354From:Barb Cestero
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Fwd: The Guthrie, App 23354
Date:Monday, April 1, 2024 9:05:44 PM
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Dear Mayor Cunningham and City Commissioners, I am writing with regard to Homebase Partners latest development proposal, the Guthrie, at the
corner of Villard and N. 5th Ave. While I live several blocks away, my office is at the cornerof N. 5th and Mendenhall so I am very familiar with this neighborhood.
I urge you to reclaim the review of this project from the administrative review that leaves the
decision to approve or deny solely in the hands of the Community Development Director.
I've been a supporter of increased density to reduce sprawl and have been involved in trying tofind solutions to our affordable housing crisis. I understand the challenges and complexities of
addressing affordable housing in our community at this point in time.
The Guthrie will not address the crisis. It is at best an extended stay hotel or high enddormitory and at worst an overpriced man camp for transient workers who are not the working
members of our community looking for affordable housing. I'm not sure this is the model youintended when you created the deep incentives. We need affordable housing for working
families and for young people starting out who wish to make Bozeman their home. TheGuthrie is not designed to provide housing for people who intend to stay in this community
and as a result does not fit with the neighborhood.
I am also concerned with the number of units, intended to house multiple people, withoutproviding any parking. This development will create significant traffic and safety issues for an
already crowded street, two blocks from an elementary school. I am not the only one whowalks or bikes to work through the Midtown neighborhood and has already had to run the
gauntlet of Homebase projects that are making the northside less bike and pedestrian friendly.Last fall, I was almost hit on my bike by a concrete truck leaving one of these projects.
Honestly, it's time for the City to demand more from Homebase Partners. This is not the right
place for this kind of project; and this project is not the right way to demonstrate the positiveoutcomes of the "deep incentives." I urge you to reclaim the final review authority for this
project and let's use these deep incentives to create affordable housing for members of ourcommunity.
Sincerely,
-- Barb Cestero
611 N. Bozeman AveBozeman, MT 59715
406-579-0713
-- Barb Cestero
611 N. Bozeman AveBozeman, MT 59715
406-579-0713