HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-22-24 Public Comment - D. Carty - Transportation Advisory Board Meeting, Wed, May 22, 6pm, City HallFrom:Daniel Carty
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Cc:Douglas Fischer; Nicholas Ross
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Transportation Advisory Board Meeting, Wed, May 22, 6pm, City Hall
Date:Wednesday, May 22, 2024 6:38:36 AM
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Date: May 22, 6:40am
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To: Transportation Advisory Board (TAB) for TAB meeting on Wed, May 22, 6pm, City HallSubject: Special Presentation F.1: Fowler Ave Connection 30% Design Review
As an individual Bozeman resident, I am writing to comment on Agenda Item F.1: Special
Presentation of the Fowler Ave Connection 30% Design Review (as follows):
The Fowler Ave Connection (FAC) road project is the City's plan to build out Fowler Avefrom Oak St to Durston Rd to Babcock St to Huffine Lane
(https://engage.bozeman.net/fowler). Along with many Bozeman residents, I would like to
see the FAC road project built in a manner that is both neighborhood friendly and
environmentally responsible.
Recently, one neighborhood friendly and environmentally responsible idea has emergedthat would be especially suitable for the section of road planned between Oak St and
Durston Rd. I note that the FAC corridor between Oak St and Durston Rd would beespecially suitable for the following idea because it is the section least affected by existing
development.
The idea—based on elements of the Bozeman Community Plan 2020 (aka BozemanGrowth Policy, Footnote 1), Bozeman PRAT Plan 2023 (Footnote 2), and Bozeman's Story
Mill Community Park (Footnote 3)—is to set aside land along the open, seasonally flowing,
irrigation ditch (aka Section Line Ditch) as a Natural Area Park. Such a park would have
sufficient buffer (e.g., 30-50 ft from the outside edge of the riparian area) to protect existing
native, mature trees such as cottonwood (Populus spp.), willow (Salix spp.), and quaking
aspen (Populus tremuloides) and would serve as a wildlife sanctuary, especially for resident and
migratory birds (Footnotes 4 and 5).
Like part of Bozeman's Story Mill Community Park, an FAC Natural Area Park between
Oak St and Durston Rd would "remain a natural area...accessible by trails and boardwalks,
with bird and wildlife watching opportunities." Dogs would be prohibited.
To reiterate and conclude: As part of the overall FAC road project, please consider
establishing a Natural Area Park within the FAC corridor between Oak St and Durston Rd.
Thank you.
Daniel Carty
213 N. Third Ave
Bozeman, MT 59715
dgc12@hotmail.com
406-548-2810
cc: Douglas Fischer, Bozeman City Commissioner and Commission Liaison to the TAB;Nick Ross, Bozeman Director of Transportation and Engineering and Staff Liaison to the
TAB
Footnote 1: Bozeman Community Plan 2020 (aka Bozeman Growth Policy), pages 75-76:Effect on the Natural Environment and Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat.
https://www.bozeman.net/home/showpublisheddocument/1074/638212934420400000
Footnote 2: Bozeman Parks, Recreation, and Active Transportation Plan 2023, page 5:
Natural Area Park - One of Bozeman’s six park types; primarily focused on natural resource
conservation and passive recreation without significant structures.https://engage.bozeman.net/pratplan
Footnote 3: Bozeman Story Mill Community Park:
https://www.bozeman.net/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/210/1863?npage=3
Footnote 4: In 2001, the Habitat and Wetland Assessment: Section Line Ditch Corridor
study documented 28 species of birds in the FAC corridor area.https://weblink.bozeman.net/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=262180&dbid=0&repo=BOZEMAN
Footnote 5: In 2022, an FAC-area resident offered written public comment documenting 38
species of birds in the FAC corridor area.https://weblink.bozeman.net/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=265064&dbid=0&repo=BOZEMAN
American Goldfinch, Ring-necked Pheasant, Mourning Dove, Mallard, Canada Goose,
Rufous Hummingbird, Sandhill Crane, Red-tailed Hawk, Steller's Jay, Eurasian Collared-Dove, Cooper's Hawk, Bald Eagle, Great Horned Owl, Downy Woodpecker, Northern
Flicker, American Kestrel, Merlin, Black Billed-Magpie, American Crow, Common Raven,Black-capped Chickadee, Mountain Chickadee, Western Bluebird, American Robin,
European Starling, House Sparrow, Evening Grosbeak*, House Finch, Pine Siskin,American Goldfinch, Chipping Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Red-
winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, Yellow Warbler, Black-headed Grosbeak
*In the U.S., the Evening Grosbeak is listed as a Migratory Bird Species of SpecialConcern.