HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-13-24 Public Comment - S. Breuner - Reference 23306From:Susanbeth Breuner
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL][SUSPECTED SPAM] Reference 23306
Date:Wednesday, November 13, 2024 9:15:57 AM
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Hello,
I write as a person who frequently uses Stucky Rd. to get to my home south of town.
I have serious concerns that Stucky Rd is not prepared for the additional traffic that will be
caused by the proposed development of 312 Apartment units that is known as Range 5. This
road is not wide enough for the additional 500-1000 cars using it on a regular basis.
I also will point out that bringing this type of development to that area is a continuation of a
change in the nature and character of the neighborhoods surrounding the west side of that
parcel.
While I recognize that there are similar developments somewhat to the east of that location,
the cumulative impact of creating high density residential without the culturally necessary
infrastructures is a set up for disaster both environmentally and socially.
Some of the missing and realistically unattainable infrastructure I am talking about include:
Roads that can accommodate turn lanes - Stucky cannot
Roads that can accommodate a bike lane to encourage environmentally friendly
transportation - Stucky does not have the space for these types of structures as it is
a relatively narrow road with seasonal water ditches on either side. Bozeman claims
that bike lanes and safety for bike traffic are one of its values, but this project cannot
be made safe for bikes without a complete re-working of Stucky Road.
Public bus routes - are you going to require the funding of Streamline buses? If so,
there is no space for safe bus stop structures on Stucky Rd., and putting those
structures on Fowler would require similar improvements of sidewalks on that road,
which is similarly not prepared for such development. Furher, it would require buses
to travel in that neighborhood to the west of Fowler is not appropriate for public
transportation.
Sidewalks for adults and children who do not have the ability to drive. Note, the most
logical route to MSU, Bozeman businesses and cultural assets would require the
use of Stucky to 19th. As noted above, Stucky cannot accommodate these
necessities.
Parks and public open space close enough to walk to from the apartment complex
A reasonably close elementary school to accommodate an increase in children in
the neighborhood. While busing is an option, again, Stucky road is not a reasonable
route for buses on a regular basis.
I also note, the additional traffic at the intersection of Stucky and 19th will be a backed up
disaster. In fact, this intersection is already impacted to the point that I have regularly waited
through 2 to 3 light cycles in the winter in the morning hours when traveling east on Stucky
and turning north on19th. On Sunday mornings, during the time that Grace Bible Church is
letting out, this can be even longer. Adding an additional 500 or more cars from the proposed
apartment complex is simply unacceptable to an already congested area.
Then, there are the issues of impact on the neighbors to this proposed development. There
is a thriving agricultural business just to the north of the proposed project that will suffer from
light disruption, potential run-off from the parking area that will contain BTEX chemicals from
car leaks and exhaust dust accumulation on the surface, and a change in the water table as
a large section of the land will no longer be able to absorb precipitation and refresh the
groundwater.
While I recognize that Bozeman has a need for additional housing, this is an
inappropriate location. If you are considering that this could be low income housing, you
have a major misunderstanding of low income people's needs for infrastructure. This location
cannot meet those needs without sidewalk access, walking accessible resources such as
schools, grocery stores, and other essential services, bike lanes, bus stops, which are not
practical without a significant widening of Stucky Rd. and sidewalks on South 19th.
This project will also take away the opportunity for success of a small flower farm, which
might seem unimportant to you in many ways. However, this is the very kind of business that
makes the Gallatin Valley and Bozeman attractive to so many. A unique, environmentally
friendly business that provides an interactive experience to its customers, creates beauty
and promotes a lifestyle that remains connected to the land. Building in a way that
jeopardizes such a business is suggesting strongly that it is okay for Bozeman to lose its
current character that has made it such a successful place for decades.
This project will only promote a continued accumulation of density that will cause changesthe character of our whole community by eliminating its historical and modern agriculture
roots, has insufficient resources to promote environmentally friendly living, will put moretraffic on roads that are already over used (the 19th and Stucky intersection going from the
west to the north).
Please be practical when considering this proposed development. Wrong place with thewrong kind of density.
Blessings,Susan Beth
406.579.2140www.elements-of-light-mt.com