HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-09-24 Public Comment - Bozeman Tree Coalition - CDB comments for 9_9_24 mtng re_ Landmark ProgramFrom:BozemanTreeCoalition
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Cc:Marcia Kaveney; Daniel Carty; Angela Kociolek
Subject:[EXTERNAL]CDB comments for 9/9/24 mtng re: Landmark Program
Date:Monday, September 9, 2024 8:53:40 AM
Attachments:HPAB_Darrow_Report_Heritage_Trees_Final_docx__1_.pdf
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Dear Community Development Board Members-
Thank you for serving on this advisory board and for reading our comments as they relate to
the Landmark Program presentation you will be receiving on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024.
We are writing to ask you to express your support of the Landmark Program overalland especially for the following specific items included in or concerning the program:
1. Re-evaluation of section 38.340 of the UDC and expanding the boundaries of the NCOD to
include a larger area of the historic downtown area with stricter development standards for theprotection of naturally occurring affordable housing (NOAH) and the existing mature trees on
both public and private property in Bozeman's Urban Forest.
2. Strengthening site plan criteria (38.230.100) as it relates to NOAH and protecting ourexisting urban forest including criteria A.1., A.7.a., 7.c., 7. d. 8.a.
3. The addition of the Trees/Urban Forest to UDC Chapter 38. Article 6. Natural Resources.
Trees are not currently listed as a natural resource. Listing them would align with the City'sgrowth policy and many municipal codes- signaling this Board's understanding that trees are
appreciating assets that benefit our community in a multitude of ways.
4. Incorporation of the Heritage Tree Program into the new Landmark Program wherebyexisting trees and places of importance not currently recognized as significant at the National
level can be protected with locally-specific standards and regulations. The HPAB didimportant work towards establishing a Heritage Tree Program in their 2022-2023 work plan,
which seems to be getting lost in the new Landmark Program (see attachment).
It is widely accepted that green infrastructure (incl. trees) increases in value over time and isexpensive to replace. Case in point- this Tuesday, Sept. 10,'24, the City Commission will be
approving a $10,500 expense to replace just 7 trees in the downtown area (Consent Item#G.8).
Simultaneously, the 5th and Main Hotel plans removal of all 7 trees on its lot, including the
massive ponderosa pine. And, the 7th and Aspen project is planning to remove two massivespruce trees and has another dozen mature trees at risk of removal due to lack of protections.
Please express your support of the above points, which will in turn support the protection of
Bozeman's urban forest including individual heritage trees that, together, add to the characterof our neighborhoods, preserve history, and provide valuable ecosystem services to the
Bozeman Community as a whole.
Thank you,
Marcia KaveneyDaniel Carty
Angie Kociolek
Bozeman Tree Coalition Co-founders