HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-24-24 Public Comment - N. Nakamura - UDC EngagementFrom:Natsuki Nakamura
To:Bozeman Public Comment; Takami Clark
Subject:[EXTERNAL]UDC Engagement
Date:Tuesday, September 24, 2024 10:01:42 AM
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Dear Commission,
Thank you for taking public input on an engagement plan for the UDC. Some thoughts and
comments are below.
There should be some events that are high-level overviews of the UDC rewrite to bring
in folks learning about the scope and importance of our City code. This can probably bestaff-led or more of a webinar format, but it should highlight some of the areas that
likely will be significantly modified in the rewrite, even if the specific changes are stillto be determined, to help folks focus on specific parts of a long document. These high-
level overviews must also emphasize that SB 382 will significantly reduce the public'sability for project-specific input later on, so engagement now is crucial for peoplewanting help shape how Bozeman develops.There should also be events that allow for in-depth discussions about specific sections in
the UDC. These events should have 1 or 2 Commissioners who participate in thediscussion so that community members can hear what questions, thoughts, and concerns
Commissioners may have about potential recommendations. These smaller groupdiscussions should include community members concerned about conserving natural
resources including mature trees and water supply.The public should have time to review and give more feedback on a new draft ofthe UDC. The Fowler connection project was a recent example of good communityengagement since there was an opportunity for initial community engagement, then the
City came back to the community with a 30% proposal. Director Ross made it very clearduring outreach events for the 30% proposal that there was still time for the community
to share more input and thoughts before a final design, but it was very helpful to see theCity put together something that incorporated what they thought they heard from public
comments and concerns. Because this round of UDC outreach will be rolling out mostlythe same proposal as last year, it is unclear what the City and Commission heard from
the other comments and feedback shared already. It would be beneficial for the public tohave a chance to review a "30% design" of the UDC rewrite and provide additional
feedback before it is discussed and finalized by the Commission.While there should be some structure in surveys and discussions to make sure ideas
remain within the scope of the UDC, there shouldn't be limited choices that thepublic is asked to choose between, unless the options are based on trends inprevious public input. Limiting discussions to only consider certain changes can curbcreativity and ideas discussed. Framing discussions around "middle, left, or right"
options could bias the conversation to the middle "compromise" option.
Thank you for your consideration.
Natsuki Nakamura