HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-21-24 Public Comment - A. Kautzer - Affordable Housing Ordinance - Public CommentaryFrom:Amanda Kautzer
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Affordable Housing Ordinance - Public Commentary
Date:Tuesday, August 20, 2024 1:15:22 PM
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Hi Commissioner team:
As a professional athlete residing in Bozeman as the ONLY location in the country that
provides both elite level Biathlon coaching resources and the opportunity to engage in a robustand vibrant community, the affordability of housing is critical to my success as an athlete.
Spending an extra hundred, two hundred, or even more a month on rent makes my goals ofracing in Europe, qualifying for the World Cup, and racing in the Olympics, that much harder
to achieve. As an athlete in a not-so-popular sport, we don't get national team funding, soevery flight, race entry, hotel room, etc. is an expense I have to pay for, and can't afford with
the growing rental rates.
Additionally, as a current resident of the beautiful neighborhood just west of Peach/Rouse, Isee every day the value of high occupancy rates and mixed unit types. My neighbors just to the
north are a lovely older couple. We exchange mugs of tea for shoveling the steps. To thesouth, an uber friendly car enthusiast. Both, people I trust to look out for me and to come to
my aid if anything goes wrong. I live in a split house. It's small, and the downstairs unit issmaller, but it's respectable, fun, and an engaged community. Kiddy corner from me lives one
of my friends, also a young adult on a budget, and renting an above-garage ADU as a longterm rental. Just up the street is a small (6 or 8 unit) apartment complex. We have a
community of people that look out for each other.
The new massive luxury apartments that are popping up are destroying the integrity of theneighborhoods. They are not affordable for the people who actually contribute to Bozeman
and work here to benefit the community. They are going to people as second or third or fourthhomes, and have low occupancy rates. These do not foster community, caring, or inclusion.
Additionally, it is absolutely ludicrous to consider approving any project that does not provide
adequate parking, whether "affordable" or not. It simply does not make sense to imposeadditional cars into any neighborhood that already relies on street parking. On-site parking
needs to be mandatory for every project that gets approved. Especially in affordable buildingprojects, the occupancy rate will be as high as possible as people try to split costs. If it's three
bedrooms, assume that at least three people will be living there, and have at least threevehicles, as it's impossible to sustain basic daily living in Bozeman without a car due to lack
of public transport.
Thanks for your time,Amanda