HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-17-24 Public Comment - J. Osman - UDC UpdateFrom:Juliet Osman
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]UDC Update
Date:Tuesday, September 17, 2024 11:11:14 AM
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Dear Commissioners,
In the interest of re-establishing trust and preserving what is unique about our town, I proposethat the commission swiftly and painlessly pass a UDC without upzoning. Commissioners
have in previous sessions pointed out that downzoning breaks the agreement between the cityand the landowner. So does upzoning. Therefore, we should leave density as it stands, which
is well within the legal requirements from the State. Bozemanites could all begin to benefit from the form based zoning and simplified code of the
proposed UDC and the commission can move on to more pressing issues, especially in regardsto real housing solutions.
First, create a Public Housing Authority. This motion was denied just this year on the groundsthat we did not need one. I believe it would be far more beneficial than another slew of multi
story, luxury condos. Second, the city needs to rewrite a sustainable Affordable Housing Ordinance backed by
community engagement and proven data. The city should take the time to study the effects ofthe zoning increases of 2016 and whether or not they are indeed tickling down to working
residents. The city should include the Interneighborhood Council and the Historic PreservationAdvisory Board in the list of key partners for any code update.
Once our city leaders have done all of that, then they can engage in a discussion aboutincreasing density. Preferably, once we have a commission who’s entire body was voted in by
popular vote and not special election.
Thank you,
Juliet Osman