HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-02-24 Public Comment - Z. Osman - Do Not Approve the Guthrie As ProposedFrom:Zehra Osman
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Do Not Approve the Guthrie As Proposed
Date:Tuesday, April 2, 2024 11:49:30 AM
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Honorable Commission Members,
Please post this comment in your public record.
The proposed Guthrie development is not what the citizens of Bozeman consider to be adequate and affordable
housing:
With month-to-month leases, the Guthrie does not provide legal security of tenure. Renters should be able to have
the security to stay in their residence. They should be able to raise their families there and not worry that their
month-to-month lease will raise rent or cause eviction.
The Guthrie proposes short term rentals. Do not allow the Guthrie to have short-term-rentals. The city has already
decided this exacerbates Bozeman’s housing crisis.
Generally, housing costs are considered unaffordable where they amount to more than 30% of someone’s income.
The Guthrie proposes rental rates beginning at $1,684/month for a less-than 317 square foot apartment. That family
would need to earn $67,000/year, which only 2 out of 5 renters in Bozeman earn. Our elderly neighbors who need
affordable housing and are on a fixed income do not make that annual income. Affordable and adequate housing
should be accessible to all.
The Guthrie does not provide a kitchen for families so they can save money by cooking in their own apartments.
Instead the Guthrie provides a hot plate. This sure looks like Homebase is considering this development an
employee dormitory where their employees can spend their paychecks to eat in employee dining rooms at their place
of work. Is Homebase Partners making Bozeman their very own company town by providing a dormitory for their
workers?
A family needs a vehicle to drive to schools, doctor visits, grocery stores, school activities, etc. Our disabled and
elderly neighbors need to have a vehicle to get around - - please understand that not everyone can walk or ride a
bike. The Guthrie not only does not provide adequate parking, it charges additional rent for one of the few parking
spaces. Again, this development is geared to be both a dormitory for Homebase’s workforce and also a short term
rental for those who want to be downtown.
Please do not reward Homebase Partners with incentives. They have already devoured a chunk of Bozeman for their
investors. Giving them our money only pours salt on this gaping wound.
Do not approve the Guthrie development. Do not acquiesce to the morsels of housing Homebase Partners is
throwing at us. We can and should do better.
Respectfully,
Zehra Osman
Bozeman resident
59718