HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-16-24 Public Comment - C. Keller - Comments on Community Process for UDC Rewrite (Tuesday, Sept 17 Council Session)From:Colleen Keller
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Comments on Community Process for UDC Rewrite (Tuesday, Sept 17 Council Session)
Date:Monday, September 16, 2024 11:23:55 AM
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Dear City Commissioners,
I write to request a process which focuses on the issue of affordability, rather than focused up-
zoning. It is important that the work address the Bozeman environment and problem, ratherthan adopting a national approach which may not fit our problem. First though, a few things
which I feel have gone unsaid:
The council deserves huge kudos for arresting the process, and taking time to review upzoning.
Kudos for the first painful step in wrangling VRBO inventory down.Kudos for rejecting the Guthrie proposal. Right or wrong, it finally stopped the pace on
poorly planned projects.
A citizen’s view of a good process:
Create a task force(s) composed of both residents and city planners.
Assign specific sections of code for a final revision to be returned to council on aspecific time schedule. Bite sizes seems to be the way out of this behemoth of a
problem.Shift some consulting money to moderators who will enforce time lines and time in
meetings, I have seen councilors be unable to leave community meetings...Include neighborhood groups (inter neighborhood council) historical preservation
group, and Better Bozeman as key members in this process. They have demonstratedthey are willing to work!
Begin with two hot topics:compatibility with existing neighborhoods
affordable housing incentives.
Suggestions to improve the work to date:
Please clarify speakers affiliations when taking comments. National organizations,mostly biased toward real estate as an investment, are speaking out without disclosure of
positions of paid advocates-Sightline, Real Foundations,……Give equal weight to working community members and newcomer housing needs.
Look here for great success for a model for the future-Bridger View. High qualityhomes, with access to green space— don't we all want these things?
Look outside at great examples - Homewise in Santa Fe NM. Using foundation money
for down payments, building in town, and housing teachers, cops, etc since 2,000 inhigh quality housing.
Look outside at failure of up zoning. Charlottesville VA - increased property taxes40%. Overbuilt neighborhood retail. Downtown in suffering, businesses are moving
out. Neighborhoods are hollowing out. And not a single unit has been build to helpblack communities.
Speed is not crucial! Doing it right is. The city expanding building hours, expeditedThe Henry - it is not even 50% sold. But the impact on the neighborhood has been
profound… and all negative.
Citizen Editorial
Define the problem correctly. This is an affordability crisis, not a density crisis. Affordable, modest bungalows are being raised to create condos for part-timers. This is
unjust. Define the ethos of Bozeman. What if Bozeman had stated goals to maintain housing
for working community members and maintain a health community for all? What if weembraced a mountain view for all?
Look at this issue as one of equity. The health of current residents is being diminished,there is significant proof that sun and gardens tie citizens to food and healthier living.
'Don't Shade Me' was an important, poorly understood slogan.Can we find an incentive for local landlords to rent long term? Another tact to reduce
VRBO inventory, so people can LIVE here.
In Close
I truly appreciate the mayor, and councilors attending neighborhood sessions. Recentcomments by the Ass. City Manager on camping and on the affordable housing ordinance
have been balanced, kind, and compassionate. Recent engagement on the bike route on BlackAve was cordial, professional and educational1 I feel 50% more positive than I did a year ago
about the city staff and this work.
This is a national problem. But the activism in Bozeman has been extraordinary. I do hopeyou can harness it for the common good, and give people working a high quality of life. A
tiny balcony, and no where to park, is not very high quality. An old home which can no longerhave a garden, and could never harness solar power, is low quality. Let's not do this to each
other.
Thanks again for your work, and for coming out into the community. BZN can do better thanmuch of the nation, and lead Western States in a commitment to a fair community which loves
everyone, not just second home housing.
Colleen Keller