HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-18-24 Public Comment - G. Thompson - UDC Rewrite,From:George Thompson
To:Bozeman Public Comment; CWynn@bozeman.net; David Fine; Brit Fontenot
Subject:[EXTERNAL]UDC Rewrite,
Date:Tuesday, September 17, 2024 1:48:15 PM
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September 17, 2024
UDC rewrite : Don’t have affiliates of Tenants United involved with UDC.
Mayor Cunniungham and Commissioners:
The UDC rewrite committee needs to have trained (or licensed) professionals whoseexperience in community development, local real estate investments, small business ownerswho have a minimum ten years experience in their respective career field. If they bring theirexperiences of living and participating in other vibrant community boards so much the better.Actually studying how other towns have grown and the long term implications of seeminglybenign guidelines provides insights into important choices which support or constrict a vibrantsmall business community.
It is disappointing to read that that Tenants United ( both commissioners and somecommunity members) are pushing the City to engage with their national affiliation TenantsGroup. The concern arises out of their stating that their participation in South Chicago hasprovided dividends to the local communities is simply not true.
Having lived, worked, and providing owner occupied duplex rental housing in Chicago for 18years provided a strong foundation of important factors driving positive community growthand opportunity. Working with Chicago Public schools in the worse neighborhoods I haveseen the damage to rental housing produced by excessive regulatory requirements set inaccordance with Tenant United. We do not need National Tenants Union decidingBozeman’s future.
Lest we, as a City fall prey to shrill voices of inexperienced Tenants United members , wouldstrongly suggest that the UDC rewrite team have majority of members with the necessaryprofessional experience and who have served minimum of 4 years on at least one of the CityBoards involved with Community Development.
Please focus on the many vibrant small businesses which are seeking a toe hold in Bozemanand hiring local staff to participate in our growth. The owners of many large apartmentcomplexes are well insulated from vague City demands. However, it is the smaller mom/popowned rentals in the downtown core area which will suffer from Tenants United regulatoryoversight. Perhaps that is a good reason to sell their small rental houses and avoid contentiousCity requirements.
Please be very cautious in your selection of participants for the UDC rewrite, be assured thatthere will be some shrill voice demanding issues which become restrictive to futurehomeowners, property owners, and further restrict small business development.
Good Luck.
G. Thompson