HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-08-24 Public Comment - J. Darrow - The Guthrie project_ letter of oppositionFrom:Jason Darrow
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]The Guthrie project: letter of opposition
Date:Saturday, April 6, 2024 5:28:58 PM
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Dear Members of the City Commission,
I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposed Guthrie development project,which threatens the character and integrity of our beloved neighborhood.
As a long-time resident (1998) of 428 N. 5th St., I have witnessed the close-knit fabric ofour community firsthand. Over the years, I have not only lived here but also built my
business, Higher Ground Landscaping, employing and housing many individuals whocontribute to the vitality of this area. In 2015, I made significant investments to remodel my
home, transforming it into a functional, dwelling- reimagined for today's needs- with acontemporary yet congruent design.
Our neighborhood, nestled across from Whittier, is renowned for its tight bonds andlongstanding families. We look out for one another, creating a sense of security and
belonging that is increasingly rare in today's world. However, the proposed Guthrie projectthreatens to unravel this fabric by disregarding the established character of our community.
One of my foremost concerns revolves around parking availability. Currently, ourneighborhood grapples with multiple peak periods of parking scarcity, compounded by
households owning multiple vehicles and limited street parking options. The recentrelaxation of parking regulations for events at the ELM concert venue unjustly enriched the
project's bottom line by millions of dollars, exacerbating the strain on parking resources andburdening neighboring communities with overflow and noisy congestion at late hours of the
evening. The proposed Guthrie project, with its inadequate parking provisions, threatens tocompound this issue, leading to heightened tension and frustration for residents.
Furthermore, the proposed development contradicts the principles outlined in theNeighborhood Conservation Overlay District (NCOD) and existing development codes,
which have played a crucial role in revitalizing our neighborhood. These standards, bothform- and use-based, have contributed to the beauty, safety, and functionality of our
community. By disregarding these guidelines, the Guthrie project sets a dangerous precedentand undermines the progress we have worked so hard to achieve.
I urge the City Commission to consider the broader implications of the Guthrie project andprioritize the preservation of our neighborhood's unique character, existing affordability, and
quality of life. There is ample space northwest of downtown for such developments,ensuring that our community remains safe, functional, and flourishing.
In closing, I implore you to act fairly and hold developers accountable to the same standardsthat have guided our neighborhood's revitalization. Please reserve incentives and relaxations
for projects that truly maximize community benefit and uphold the values we hold dear.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Jason A. Darrow
406.580.2604
www.highergroundlandscaping.com