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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-20-24 Public Comment - K. Allen - To City Commission for Public Hearing 08_20_24From:kalle2929@gmail.com To:Bozeman Public Comment Cc:Terry Cunningham Subject:[EXTERNAL]To City Commission for Public Hearing 08/20/24 Date:Monday, August 19, 2024 3:50:57 PM Attachments:value of rethinking the HG BH acreage.docx CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Please find attached: Comment to Bozeman City Council Pertaining to Growth Policy Amendment Application To the Bozeman Community Plan for Bozeman Health Subarea Plan GPA, application #24118.Unfortunately, I am unable to attend this meeting. Terry, as a special favor to me, please seriously consider this approach. I am a resident of Bozeman city, living in the Knolls subdivision. Kathryn Allen, PhD COMMENT TO BOZEMAN CITY COUNCIL PERTAINING TO GROWTH POLICY AMENDMANT APPLICATION TO THE BOZEMAN COMMUNITY PLAN FOR BOZEMAN HEALTH SUBAREA PLAN GPA APPLICATION #24118 Submitted: August 19, 2024 Not long ago, there was an article in the Outdoor section of the Chronicle titled, “Road Less Traveled, finding solitude in open spaces highlights Montana’s beauty.” While the article focused on central Montana, we have in our backyard a similar place, often overlooked and taken for granted. Where is it? The Highland Glen, with over six miles in trails meandering over rolling hills dipping into a gulley with a small stream shaded by trees and brush, and through pastures and grain fields where plants sway in the breeze like waves in the ocean. It is across the road, down the street, within walking distance from downtown Bozeman. It too offers vistas as one pauses along the trail to observe stunning views of the Bridger Mountains. And, if you linger quietly to absorb its beauty, you often are rewarded with the sight of nearby deer, or occasional elk or red fox, and more recently a moose and bear that call the Glen area home or more intermittently, a familiar habitat to be enjoyed. Wildflowers are in abundance, especially in late spring. Quietly listen and you will hear songbirds; look to the sky and you may see a raptor and even a turkey vulture; and sandhill cranes are often spotted during breeding and birthing season. Many locals visit the trails daily throughout the year, walking or riding bikes. In winter, it becomes a wonderland for cross country skiing. But what many don’t realize is that of the entire area bounded by Highland Blvd on the west, Bozeman Trail on the east, Ellis development on the north and Kagy Blvd on the south, Highland Glen Nature Preserve only occupies 142 acres, (31%) of the total 452 acres. The remaining 301 acres (69%) owned by Bozeman Health are vulnerable to development over tim e. A portion of the land on the southeast side (Bozeman Trail Ag tract) has been used for cattle grazing. Historically a large portion of the west central side (Highland Blvd. Ag tract) and south area (Kagy Blvd. Ag tract) have been used for agricultural production, mainly barley. When the farmer retired, MSU negotiated a five -year lease on these areas for seed research. The agricultural portion has been characterized by dry-land farming due to the unavailability of sufficient water. Farming has produced both a product, barley, and most recently, seed research, but also the very nature of the farming has resulted in biologic carbon sequestration in the soil. Wheat, for example, shows a negative carbon balance, meaning that it sequesters more carbon that it emits into the atmosphere. Lentils, chickpeas, and barley are also among plants that sequester carbon. Currently MSU is growing several varieties of wheat and last year grew peas, chickpeas, and wheat varieties. Currently, the subarea plan shows a residential and mixed-use development of the 301 acres. Since Bozeman Health owns this acreage, it has the right to make decisions about how the land is used. It is a source of future hospital revenue, so compensation for the land looms large. But because this area is such a special part of the community, Bozeman Health reached out to the community for input in designating priorities for the land’s use as part of the planning process. An d while planners met with the community on a number of occasions and appeared to “listen,” the proposal as they set forth remained basically unchanged. If one were to think creatively, there are a number of ideas for preserving this ecosystem that would: 1) preserve the flora and fauna of this vibrant environment; 2) produce a source for biological carbon sequestration critical to addressing climate change challenges; 3) establish an area for MSU to conduct research, and build programs supporting education and innovation focusing on the environment; 4) serve the community by a) preserving the natural ecology and diversity, conserving important native species and cultivating a variety of natives for the future, and b) preserving recreational opportunities and a wilderness experience within walking distance of downtown that all can enjoy. Who wants to walk or cross-country ski between and around houses/buildings/grocery stores/gas stations that hide the spectacular views of the Bridger Mountains or disturb the quiet solitude that this special place provides? And let’s not forget the wildlife and raptors who would, once again, be pushed out of areas they find to be safe havens within the city. We all have experienced the challenges of water availability within the Gallatin Valley. The water within the aquafer continues to drop as more and more homes are built and wells are dug. We talk a lot about “affordable housing,” but the concept doesn’t seem to reach the developers who salivate to get their hands on this special place. Sustainability of the environment and preservation of the local history and culture seem beyond their comprehension. What the people who live here need and want seems to be continually ignored as money drives development. Within these 301 acres, Bozeman Health could designate a section across Highland Blvd. that is adjacent to the existing hospital campus where additional healthcare facilities could be developed. That said, such an endeavor poses costly, but not impossible, challenges due to the busy Highland Blvd. Bozeman Health could also develop some type of foundation where, over time, land preservation donations could be collected and banked for reimbursing Bozeman Health for the remaining land. An MSU – community consortium could be established to manage the land for agricultural research, education, and eventual growth of an arboretum for all to enjoy. If New York City can have Central Park and Seattle can have the Washington Arboretum within the heart of the city, why not Bozeman? Over the years, this special place could be recognized as a historical landmark for its importance as a resource and source of cultural enrichment to the Bozeman community. Right now, the residents of Bozeman need to perceive the City Commission as prioritizing them over the desires of the developers, who will be long gone after they have made their mega-millions off the land and the people. We talk about Montana being one of the “last best places” and maybe it is for the mega -wealthy. What we say and how we act tells the story of who we really are and what we prioritize as most important. Once the land around Highland Glen is opened to development, the beauty of this special place will be lost forever. Think about it! The ramifications of your decision are far reaching. Please recognize the value of this special place and protect it.