HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-01-24 Public Comment - M. Visser - Opposing The GuthrieFrom:Mindy Visser
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Opposing The Guthrie
Date:Monday, April 1, 2024 7:35:43 PM
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To Whom It May Concern,
I am writing to express my concerns and disregard of citizen request to reconsiderapproval of Home Base project The Guthrie. The proposed 5-story, 110-unit housingdevelopment is a threat to the health, safety and beauty of our neighborhood. While Iunderstand the need for urban development and affordable housing solutions, I believethat this particular project will significantly alter the character of our belovedneighborhood, exacerbate the parking issues which are growing as apartment buildingsincrease in number in this area, and does not contribute to the needed long-termaffordable housing shortage in Bozeman.
I am deeply concerned about the parking implications of adding 110 units to our alreadycongested streets, especially given the new high rise apartment on Main and 5th (threeblocks from the proposed Guthrie, and three new high rise buildings going in four blocksto the East. Our neighborhood is struggling with limited parking, and this development willundoubtedly exacerbate the problem. With each unit likely to accommodate at least onevehicle, the influx of cars will strain our already limited parking resources, leading toincreased competition for spaces, frustration among residents, and will be a danger to thenearby Whittier school.
Home Base developers have been able to bypass several zoning codes due to the groupswillingness to lease a portion of the apartments at an 80% rate to allow for affordablehousing. This is a minimal decrease in typical rent, and this deal does not seem to beaimed at individuals looking for long-term housing as the building managers plan to rentthese on a month to month basis. This is hardly a resolve to our difficulties with housing inBozeman.
I am shocked at the brazenness of our city to allow for HB Developers to bypass both theheight requirement and parking requirements of an R-3 zone for such a small offering of'affordable' housing. I, among many of my neighbors, have asked again and again to putdevelopment in the hands of the people. Let us build ADUs to offer affordable housinginstead of putting more money in the hands of greedy developers who have no intentionof listening to the cries of the neighbors.
I urge the city to reconsider the approval of this development and explore alternativesolutions that are more in line with the character of our neighborhood, address the parkingconcerns, and that truly offer long-term solutions for those in search of affordable housing.Perhaps a smaller-scale project or one that incorporates parking solutions such asunderground garages or dedicated parking structures could be considered. Additionally,conducting a thorough impact assessment on the neighborhood's integrity and parking
infrastructure would provide valuable insights into the project's implications.
Preserving the character and livability of our neighborhood should be a priority for allstakeholders involved. I hope that the city will take these concerns into account and worktowards a solution that benefits both the community and the city as a whole.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Mindy Visser
mvisser@yahoo.com