HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-10-24 Public Comment - M. Kaveney - Comments for Sustainability Board- tonight- 4_10_24From:Marcia Kaveney
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Cc:Jon Henderson; Terry Cunningham
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Comments for Sustainability Board- tonight- 4/10/24
Date:Wednesday, April 10, 2024 9:32:17 AM
Attachments:SB work plan mtng 41024.pdf
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Dear Board members, Mr. Henderson, Mayor Cunningham-
Thank you for your hard work and the opportunity to submit comments.
I have submitted the attached comments as an individual resident for your review and
consideration for tonight's action item I.1. Work Plan 2024-2025.
Thank you,Marcia Kaveney
Sustainability Board meeting 4/10/24
Sustainability Board Work Plan for 2024-2025, discussion
Work Plan Comments by Marcia Kaveney, Bozeman resident
Focus Area 1. Climate Planning
Work Plan Item 1. Local Food System
I think what’s missing from the list is a line item that calls out attention to the individual
backyard growers that provide food for their families and often their neighbors and local
schools. I think backyard growers, as a group, need to be included as a member of the local
food system and be mapped accordingly. Their access to sunlight for their gardens,
greenhouses, solar panels, and fruit trees is essential and should be protected with proper
setbacks and zone edge transitions during the UDC update. Backyard fruit trees also
deserve protection with a tree ordinance.
Work Plan Item 2. Composting Services and Collection.
The issue regarding animal conflicts is very real and I expect will increase with composting
services so I am glad to see it a part of the conversation.
I think the trash and composting bundling costs need to be carefully considered. I currently
use the smallest trash container and rarely fill it and do not want anything larger or more
costly.
Work Plan Item 5. Extreme Heat and Wildfire Smoke.
See work plan item 7. Urban Tree Equity Comments A.
Work Plan Item 7. Urban Tree Equity.
(Comments under Item 7 are identical to the BTC submission)
A. I would like to see an item added to this list that discusses prioritizing the protection of
newly annexed native trees to the urban forest because hundreds of trees have been lost in
the many recent city land annexations. Mature, cooling, wind stopping small forests and
tree stands have been “removed” to allow for greater ease of infrastructure installation in
new developments. These small forests are very eMective at cooling the air, providing
shade, and preventing evaporation of ground moisture and are usually self-sustaining with
no additional water needed. We lose this priceless asset each time the City approves
intensive infrastructure that calls for underground storm water management instead of
enforcing available above ground storm water management and leaving the trees in place.
Later, the developer or Branch Out Bozeman, at great expense, will go back to that area and
plant saplings that will not replace the former forests’ ecosystems services for many
decades, if ever. While planting is good and necessary, it is not as financially sound or
eMective as designing around the existing trees.
B. Goals a through d of Urban Tree Equity, can be met by improving eMorts and outcomes to
the following and I hope you will add them to your itemized work plan:
(1) maintain existing mature trees on private property with the creation of a tree ordinance
(2) suggest stronger language for city building codes during the UDC update with special
attention paid to “Chapter 38, Article 4.- Community Design. Sec. 38.410.010.General
Standards. B. Natural Environment. The design and development of all land uses must be
properly related to topography, and must, to the extent possible, preserve the natural
terrain, the existing topsoil, trees, and other existing vegetation.”,
(3) suggest new codes under the UDC’s Chapter 38, Article 6.-Natural Resource Protection
to protect trees. None currently exist here.
C. Additionally, I would like to see an equity line item added for the sustainability and equity
of the trees themselves and the unique habitat they provide for birds, insects, and small
mammals. Linear boulevard plantings and ornamental additions of non-native trees do not
sustain bird habitat near as well as the original tree stands or small forests themselves. For
example, when Canyon Gate removed all their trees both living and dead- over 20 nesting
bird species that included flycatchers, kingbirds, house wrens, hawks, song sparrows, and
warblers were displaced. Most of these birds will never be found in boulevard trees nor
parks without native groves. We greatly limit our diversity when we remove intact groves,
tree stands, and small forests.
Removing mature trees in the name of progress and housing is also no longer necessary.
Housing and trees can co-exist. Not only do these mature small forests provide ecological
and ecosystem services, but they are also living things and deserve our respect and
protection. Improving the enforcement of Section 38.410.010. will go a long way toward
improving Bozeman’s stewardship of biodiversity, climate resiliency, and tree equity for all.
Work Plan Item 8. Engineering Design Standards.
Attention to the following codes will aid in the eMort to include sustainability in community
design:
Chapter 38, Article 4.- Community Design. Section 38.410.010. General Standards. B.
Natural Environment , Chapter 38, Article 6.-Natural Resource Protection
According to the staL memo: “The Sustainability Board will be asked to consider the
following guiding questions regarding the draft takeaways and recommendations:
Do you have any feedback, comments, or questions? Is there anything critical you believe
is missing? Have you identified anything in the materials that appears to be incorrect or
misleading? What aspects do you find most compelling? Was there anything that surprised
you? If so, what was it?”
I hope you will find these comments helpful and will consider adding them to your work
plan for 2024-2025. Thank you for your hard work on the advisory board and for the
opportunity to comment. Marcia Kaveney, Bozeman resident