HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-16-24 Public Comment - S. Newman - Reclaim Right to ReviewFrom:Stephanie Newman
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Reclaim Right to Review
Date:Monday, April 15, 2024 10:08:42 PM
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Dear Mayor and Commissioners,
My name is Stephanie Newman and I lived at 522 N 5th for 32 years until it burned due to an electrical fire last
August 31. I urge you to reclaim the right to review. It is inappropriate for one person to be the sole decider about
something which will affect the neighborhood and the city as much as the proposed Guthrie building. I attended the
commission meeting where many of my neighbors spoke eloquently about how the building and its residents will
impact our neighborhood. One young man shared his opinion that 28 parking spots for 111 units will not cause a
problem. Living that close to the Elm music venue and across the street from Whittier School, I disagree. I was
unable to leave for work on more than one occasion because someone parked across my driveway while doing
something at Whittier. It was extremely frustrating. Also, I’ve witnessed at least half a dozen car accidents at the N
5th - Peach intersection over the years. One person drove through my fence! Unbelievably, someone else drove over
the curb, up the hill in front of Whittier, and right into the brick building! I don’t see how 150-200 more cars within
a block will ease that situation. It is definitely a safety issue for Whittier students and a problem for residents with
their own and guest’s vehicles to park.
The size of the units in square feet and their rental price does NOT sound “low income” to me. For the developer to
get a 4.1 million dollar benefit as incentive for building so-called “low income housing” is ludicrous. I have to admit
it really rankles me because after years of paying a mortgage I owned my home free and clear. Because I thought
house insurance automatically kept up with inflation, I now have about half of what I need to build or buy in
Bozeman, my home for nearly 40 years. I could sell my land, but my fear is it would be bought by a developer who
would put up MORE unaffordable condos or apartments. Please, reclaim your right to review, and reconsider the
proposed Guthrie building.
Thank you for your consideration and attention. I appreciate your service.
Stephanie Newman
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