HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-17-24 Public Comment - K. Tripp - Fowler Connection Comments - Please shareFrom:Kristen Read
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Cc:Terry Cunningham; Jennifer Madgic; Nicholas Ross
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Fowler Connection Comments - Please share
Date:Monday, June 17, 2024 2:45:55 PM
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To Whom It May Concern,
I live at 1079 New Holland and as such phase 1 of the Oak/Fowler connection and road development project willimpact my home substantially.
I attended the walk last week and would like to submit my comments for consideration and a vote for LESS impactand development (and expense) than what has been proposed in this section of road between the round-about on Oakand Fowler. Thank you to Nicholas for being such a patient and informed host!
Instead of TWO paved pathways in BOTH directions of travel, I believe that one would be sufficient and wouldadvocate for a dirt path there as well.
It is my perspective that a two-lane road WITHOUT a median would actually make drivers slow down and would bea better and more concentrated means of traffic level on this roadway. While 'creating noise' is well-intentioned, Ithas been my experience that a median seems to allow drivers to speed up - as they do when heading towards LoveLane from the round about on Durston heading north - the median is a means of encouraging drivers to speed upinstead of exercise more caution which would be the case if required to stay in your own lane so to speak. Clearlythis would also affect cost as well and at 12.5 million for Phase 1 of the project and build, it seems we could doALOT to decrease costs of this phase of the project.
Thank you for continuing to protect our trees and the natural buffer that they offer on the Western side of theproperty and intended location of the road. There is already a path that is becoming increasingly established alongthe trees so really adding another paved pathway on one or both sides of the roadway would be at extra expense toall of us as would the cost of the wide median.
I would also like to add that I am EXTREMELY concerned about the future plans for a possible housingdevelopment project on the backside of my fence (eastern side of the city property) and what IS city land but has notbeen annexed or zoned to date. Low income housing projects should be the last thing that the City is considering forthe benefit of Bozeman!
I would STRONGLY advocate for Community Gardens, open/wild space and buffer for insects and birdlife andwildlife in that space. I have witnessed and documented pheasants, Bob White's, mallards, red tail hawks, greathorned owls, swift foxes and many migratory birds in this open space. It seems our city is no longer making spacefor these residents and wildlife oases but instead developing and paving our green spaces.
Bottom line - please consider a LESS expense, LESS impact and revisit the design of Phase 1 of the Oak-Fowlerconnection project.
Thank you,
Kristen Tripp1079 New HollandBozeman, MT59718
406-581-2114