HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-09-24 Public Comment - S. Klatt - The Guthrie, Application # 23354From:Shiloh Klatt
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]The Guthrie, Application # 23354
Date:Monday, July 8, 2024 12:40:50 PM
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Dear Members of the City Commission,
I am writing to draw your attention to the pressing matter of the proposed propertydevelopment (The Guthrie, Application # 23354) aimed at providing affordable housing
within our community. While the noble objective of affordable housing is commendable, itmust not come at the detriment of our neighborhood and its residents.
It is not in our best interests as a community to bypass health and safety standards ordinarilyvigorously enforced by the city, put in place for good reason. I implore you to prioritize health
and safety over the economic needs of the town and a single developer. Deep incentives maybe appropriate in areas of the community where congestion is of less concern. But in the
downtown and mid-town areas, overcrowding of vehicles is already a safety concern. Imagineif there is a fire or other emergency at Whittier School one block away with the congestion
this housing complex will create on these narrow neighborhood streets. Why do so manyothers have to bear the safety risks this project will create?
Furthermore, the stark incongruity between the proposed high-rise structure and theneighborhood's predominantly single-family low-rise homes is deeply concerning. Such a
towering presence would not only obstruct views and sunlight but also disrupt the architecturalharmony others have invested time and resources to preserve.
My family has owned and operated The Sapphire Motel adjacent to the proposed Guthrie forover fifty years. As custodians of a historic and meaningful establishment that enriches the
heritage of our community, we have made considerable financial sacrifices to maintain boththe character and culture of our neighborhood and community. Our property comprises
roughly two-thirds of the same city block as the proposed Guthrie. On numerous occasions,we have rejected purchase offers by developers we believed would ultimately be a detriment
to the community. It deeply troubles us to witness elements of this proposed project thatblatantly contradict the values we preserve and hold dear. The projects the city approves may
not all be inspiring, but it is important they not be demoralizing due to the fact they don’t haveto follow the rules the rest of us abide by. It is in all our best interest that the people of this
community be energized to enhance their space, rather than toss in the towel for a better cause.
We are proponents of affordable housing. Being in hospitality, our business and workforce
depend upon it greatly. However, we cannot endorse a development that inflicts significantharm on its surroundings. The negative impact of this project outweighs its purported benefits.
We stand ready to support initiatives that align with the best interests of our community. If theproposed project were designed to provide its own parking at a height that integrates
gracefully into its surroundings, we would wholeheartedly welcome and potentially utilize it.
In conclusion, I urge the City Commission to deny the Guthrie based upon the magnitude and
significance of its shortcomings. Let us uphold the integrity of our neighborhood, safeguard
the well-being of its residents, and ensure that any development enriches rather thandiminishes our shared community fabric.
Thank you for your dedication to serving our city's best interests.
Sincerely,
Shiloh Klatt
Proprietor, The Sapphire Motel