HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-21-24 Public Comment - A. Kociolek - Historic Landmark Program (HLP) - Community Development Board commentFrom:Angela Kociolek
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Cc:Sarah Rosenberg; Erin George; Chris Saunders; adrienne
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Historic Landmark Program (HLP) - Community Development Board comment
Date:Sunday, October 20, 2024 5:32:52 PM
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Dear Community Development Advisory Board -
Your Monday October 21, 2024 meeting includes a work session on the Historic Landmark Program (HLP).
Per the Strategic Plan 1.2 Community Engagement: Broaden and deepen engagement of the community in
city government, innovating methods for inviting input from the community and stakeholders.
I was one of the community members who took the time to take the survey, encourage others to take thesurvey, and chatted with staffers about the HLP at Lunch on the Lawn this summer. Now I am asking
myself if 1. It was worth my time and 2. If the City really does care about Community Engagement. I know
I was not alone in listing trees as landmarks I would like to see preserved.
The purpose of this project is to “Create a Landmark Program and nomination process which can identify
places of importance that may not be recognized as significant at the National level and can establish its
own locally-specific standards and regulations.” On page 7, the Initial Guidance Report suggests additional
policy options including “Consider adopting tree regulations.” While it may be beyond the scope of the
consultants' bidded project, protecting heritage trees should absolutely be considered within the scope of the
Historic Landmark Program.
The Historic Preservation Board has been talking about the Heritage Tree Program for some time now. The
Unified Development Code (UDC) includes environmental and tree protection language but for some
reason it is not enforced. If heritage trees (and existing mature trees, in general) are not prioritized as part of
the HLP and the UDC rewrite now, then when?
The City’s Community Development - Historic Preservation Program webpage states:
"Preservation goes beyond saving old buildings, it creates a unique sense of place, a sense of
community and bridges the gap between the past and our future. Preservation is about
recognizing and celebrating what our community values and ensuring it can be enjoyed by future
generations.” Again, I am certain that many Bozeman residents value trees and all they provide us
- ecologically, economically, and health wise.
In addition, the Neighborhood Conservation Overly District (NCOD), in which I live, is meant to "to
support a sense of place and preserve the historic districts and neighborhood character.” A
diversity of mature trees is an essential part of creating that character. They were planted by past
members of our community for our benefit. Not protecting them is a slap in the face of our
forefathers and foremothers.
In conclusion, trees are appreciating assets that serve us all. It’s time for the City of Bozeman to
step up and become a better steward of the land. You, as an advisory board, can help in that
regard. Please join me in supporting an HLP that recognizes, celebrates, and protects heritage
trees and a UDC that truly protects the public health, safety, and general welfare of its citizens.
Trees are essential to our well being and should be represented as such in our CIty’s programs
and codes.
Thank you,
Angie Kociolek
620 N Tracy Ave
Bozeman, MT 59715