HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-09-24 Public Comment - M. Osman - Community development board_ NCOD and Landmark programFrom:Michelle Osman
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Community development board: NCOD and Landmark program
Date:Monday, September 9, 2024 10:15:29 AM
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To all whom it may concern,
I'm deeply concerned that pressure is being put upon the city and the historic preservation
board to "re-visit" the NCOD. Developers are limited and sometimes denied developmentapplications due to the NCOD and they are certainly mad about it. Home Base's lawsuit
against the city for denying the Guthrie, is a perfect example. This is the first developmentproposal of Home Base that has been fully denied and the developer is flexing his power and
significant influence with this lawsuit. The NCOD was one of the main tools we had as aneighborhood to request a structure that fits with the neighborhood instead of towering above
it because of "by right" zoning and the Affordable Housing Ordinance. The NCOD and animproved UDC are the only tools we have in the old parts of town that are not protected by
historic zoning or HOA covenance. I want the NCOD to be strengthened. Demolition Ordinance 1920 made it easier to demolish historic
buildings. This needs to be fixed so that they are protected with adaptive reuse.
Ordinance 1927 Revisions to the Historic Preservation Advisory Board nearly removed all the board’s
powers to do anything more than “advise” on historic preservation. They need to be given back actual say in the
process, not a nod and a smile and then ignored.
I was lucky to travel to Italy and Croatia this summer. Travel anywhere in Europe and you will visit the "old
town". These are the economic engines of tourism. These hold the history of the place. Luckily the Forum in Rome
wasn't desired by Home Base for luxury condos. I know that's a stretch but we don't have as much structural history
to protect so surely we can pull off protecting ours. Our structures hold the stories of the people who lived here,
who lived through the brutal winters and made Bozeman what it is today. Let's give them and the full time
residents of this town the respect they've earned instead of bowing to financial models that further benefit the
wealthy.
The percentage of cash buyers for the new luxury condos downtown should be a warning to all of us.
https://bozemanmagazine.com/articles/2024/07/01/121299-2024-cash-buyers
I've attached some articles that may be interesting.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/20/realestate/housing-developments-city-architecture.html
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/09/16/realestate/home-sales-north-carolina-wall-street.html
Thank you for your time and efforts in regards to our special little city,
Michelle Osman
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Michelle Osman 419 North 5th Ave
Bozeman Mt. 59715(406) 579 3992
www.michelleosman.com