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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-03-24 Public Comment - P. Steinmuller - The Guthrie proposed development (Application No 23354) disserves further scrutinyFrom:Patti Steinmuller To:Bozeman Public Comment Subject:[EXTERNAL][SENDER UNVERIFIED]The Guthrie proposed development (Application No 23354) disserves further scrutiny Date:Wednesday, April 3, 2024 12:19:39 AM 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. The Guthrie (Application No 23354) deserves extensive review and fullanalysis of overall benefits vs risks. I am especially concerned aboutthe potential risks that The Guthrie development would pose to publicsafety. I attended a BSD7 trustee meeting (02/12/2024) where Mr. ten Broekspoke about his concerns regarding The Guthrie proposeddevelopment and its impacts on the northern Bozeman neighborhoodincluding Whittier Elementary School. Like others who have raisedconcerns about this major change to the neighborhood, the publicneeds the opportunity to comment in a public meeting. Additionally,since a major concern of BSD7 is the safety of school children, theschool district needs the opportunity to be part of this evaluationprocess. Having driven past Whittier School many times and having read theletters to the editor by Mr. ten Broek (3/29/24) and other communitymembers, I urge that this proposed development be considered by thecity commission in a public meeting. In my opinion, this development does not meet the 2020 BozemanCommunity Plan’s THEME 2 | A CITY OF UNIQUE NEIGHBORHOODS(https://www.bozeman.net/home/showpublisheddocument/9641/637569495373030000). Building a high-rise apartment building tallerthan neighborhood structures combined with inadequate parking riskssafety for school children and other neighborhood residents. TheGuthrie is inappropriate for this neighborhood for the followingreasons. A 5-story high-density structure, unlike anything in the neighborhood, containing 100 short term small housing units does not fit within the uniqueness of this neighborhood. Relaxing height and parking requirements as a tradeoff for providing for so-called affordable housing is not a realistic tradeoff since the units are neither affordable nor attainable by those of modest incomes. According to the Theme 2, “Neighborhoods help improve community safety and overall community.” This proposed high- density structure with inadequate parking located close to Whittier Elementary School poses safety hazards for children walking to schools and for parents driving to the school to drop off and pick up school children. Traffic congestion and frustration of neighbors unable to park their cars outside their residences due parked cars of The Guthrie apartment dwellers impairs rather than improves community safety and also impairs overall community. The Guthrie needs to be considered in the light of public scrutiny ina public meeting by people who live in this neighborhood and theentire city. Unlike homes in the historic district, and homes in HOAswhich have some protections against inappropriate development,people in this neighborhood need to have a say in a proposeddevelopment that goes against the 2020 Bozeman CommunityDevelopment Plan and poses risks to school and community safety,and risks to maintaining an overall sense of community. Reconsider The Guthrie in the light of day and in the interests ofthe neighborhood.