HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-08-24 Public Comment - S. Ahmed - Public Comment - Sustainability + The GuthrieFrom:Ahmed, Selena To:Bozeman Public Comment Subject:[EXTERNAL]Public Comment - Sustainability + The Guthrie Date:Thursday, April 4, 2024 7:13:07 PM Attachments:SAhmed_PublicComment.pdf 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. Dear City Commission: I was heartened by the outcry of Public Comment given by my neighbors during this pastTuesday's City Commission meeting against the proposed Guthrie development by Homebase Partners near Whittier Elementary school. We heard concerns about safety, parking, traffic congestion, transient residents, water issues,development that threatens the character and culture of a neighborhood, and what constitutes affordability. In approving such development proposals, we must also consider how ourcommunity adapts to ensure sustainability broadly, now and in the future. With each new building project proposed in our community, comes an opportunity to envision and build abetter Bozeman of tomorrow, for all - one that is: 1. Sustainable and resilient to climate change 2. Beautiful and nourishing3. Provides access + equity. The core tenants of sustainability consider the environment, culture, economics, and health forthe long termto meet planetary health goals. Building projects should be designed andapproved based on long-term sustainability targets. Instead of just thinking of solutions fortoday's issues, such as our current housing needs and short-term profits, we also need to thinkabout future challenges, needs, and resources. In this way, housing projects can besolutions for challenges that arise in the future, rather than exacerbating these challenges. Held v. Montana declared a government’s constitutional duty to protect people from climatechange. How are the approvals of building projects in our community protecting theirresidents from climate change? We need regulations and incentives for building projects toadopt sustainability standards with climate resiliency such as LEED standards for energyefficiency. We need to mandate that each building that goes up ensures parking space withinthe unit for each resident, rather than burdening neighborhoods. If we want high-densitydevelopment, we need to ensure one building or a few projects are not cannibalizing parkingfrom future opportunities. It is well recognized that our community needs accessible housing that is affordable for all.We can applause housing projects that create access through affordability. However, thisneeds to be true affordability. Such affordable housing also needs to be built with equity frontand center where all genders, individuals, and families have opportunities to create homes insafe spaces they can afford. This calls for high-quality standards and facilities rather than low-budget structures that propagate economic disparities. What makes downtown Bozeman desirable? Its' beauty gives us nourishment and createsvalue and desirability. Here we can learn from building projects of the past. Those that were built with beauty and integrity in downtown Bozeman continue to add value and desirability toour community, even 100 years after they were built. As we build a Bozeman of tomorrow, we need to take these values and incentivize the creation beautiful structures and neighborhoods.Montana State University takes this to heart as it expands its campus such as the American Indian Hall. If we add density in residential neighborhoods of single-family homes throughmulti-story buildings, we need to create structures that are transitional that integrate with their surroundings with landscaping, setbacks from the street, and with gradients in elevation.Buildings that our grandchildren and their grandchildren can admire, as we do with Bozeman's historic downtown buildings today. As Bozeman evolves, embracing high-density development necessitates proactive adjustmentsin our approaches, regulations, and resource allocation to effectively accommodate these changes. While high-density development can offer solutions, it also presents challenges withpotential unintended consequences depending on its planning and management. Affordable units in high-density structures without their own sustaining parking present challenges forschool safety. Many in our neighborhood are eager to understand how our elected officials are responding to developments such as the Guthrie near schools. What measures will beimplemented to address heightened congestion, including traffic calming initiatives, surveillance, and safety awareness campaigns? Planning for the future demands collaboration among all: city government, residents,developers, law enforcement, community organizations, and schools. I believe in a more sustainable tomorrow. I believe in the power of policy. I hope sustainability(environmental, economic, cultural, and health) is at the heart of the new UnifiedDevelopment Code update. Our neighborhoods are microcosms of the values of ourcommunity. Our decisions of building design and approvals are opportunities to foster a more resilient community, now and in the future. Let’s build a better Bozeman together for all. With gratitude, Selena Ahmed 410 N. 5th Ave