HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-07-24 Public Comment - J. Knokey - Bozeman City Commission_Application Update_Harpers CornerFrom:Jon K
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Harpers Corner Annexation and ZMA, Application #23127
Date:Tuesday, May 7, 2024 8:39:55 AM
Attachments:Bozeman City Commission_Application Update_Harpers Corner.docx
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Please reach out with any questions: jon.knokey@gmail.com
Have a great day!
--Jon Knokey
Bozeman City Commission
121 N Rouse Ave
Bozeman, MT 59715
Harpers Corner Annexa�on and ZMA, Applica�on #23127
My name is Jon Knokey, and I am the applicant for Harpers Corner Annexa�on and ZMA,
Applica�on #23127.
I would humbly like to make a request and share an update.
First the request: would it be possible to reschedule our hearing for the next available
Commissioner mee�ng to allow us to incorporate a meaningful change to our applica�on?
Second, we would like to inform you that a substan�al amount of effort and outreach went into
crea�ng a fair and meaningful compromise that will make Bozeman proud.
Here is the outreach and communica�on schedule:
• February 8th: Met with the Wats Lane neighbors at the home of Mary & Ray Seed
• February 16th: The neighbors emailed their desire for a twenty-acre split, from R-2 to R-4
• February 16th: Apprecia�ng that R-2 over twenty acres was not an economically feasible
op�on due to unknown civil costs, we decided to jointly pursue an Annexa�on
agreement with the City of Bozeman.
• February 26th: We met with the city to discuss the Annexa�on agreement and sent the
jointly agreed narra�ve outlining our desire to impose R-2 height restric�ons along
Hidden Valley as well as enhanced setbacks (this was included in the pre-read).
• March 8th: The city reversed course, sta�ng they would no longer allow the Annexa�on
Agreement.
• March 9th: I informed the neighbors we would not pursue a private agreement due to
obvious li�gious issues. A zoning designa�on was the agreed upon correct course.
• March 18th: I sent the narra�ve and presenta�on to the neighbors – reques�ng feedback
and to discuss a path forward.
• March 20th: Mr. Vidmar and I met with Commissioner Morrison at City Brew to discuss
further op�ons. A zoning designa�on was the agreed upon correct course.
• May 1st: A subset of the neighbors sent a leter from a lawyer.
The journey is such that on February 16th the neighbors s�pulated, in an email, that support for
the applica�on would require that half the property be zoned R-2 and the other half R-4. There
was an agreement that R-4 was viable on the 20.06 acres to the east, where the property meets
the neighboring REMU.
Furthermore, the neighbors shared that R-2 was the needed designa�on on the western
approach, nearest to Hidden Valley Road. Otherwise, the protest would remain.
It was not un�l May 1st that we received feedback that R-3 is an acceptable outcome, including
nearest to Hidden Valley Road. This was welcomed.
This provided the opportunity to find common ground. We would like to propose the following
changes to our applica�on:
• Legal Description: S27, T01 S, R05 E, C.O.S. 408A, PARCEL 2, ACRES 20.06 will be requested at R-3.
• Legal Description: S27, T01 S, R05 E, C.O.S. 408A, PARCEL 2, ACRES 20.06 will be requested at R-4.
We stand ready to design the project to allow for even further benefits for the neighborhood –
including a gradua�ng density. This will take place during the public Subdivision Review process.
Conversely, we have compromised our applica�on from REMU to R-5 to R-4; to the final
proposal: the R-3 to R-4 split. This will allow the density to taper from REMU at the eastern
border to R-4 then R-3 as we move westward towards Hidden Valley Road.
With each step, the City Planning Department has recommended the criterion for Zoning. The
community benefits remain unmistakable. Our revised applica�on will be in clear accordance
with the direc�on from the Commission, as well as input from neighbors.
This course of ac�on is the compromise the Commissioners sought. I respec�ully request to
reschedule our hearing for the next available Commissioner mee�ng.
Warmest Regards,
Jon Knokey