HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-26-24 Public Comment - D. Boyle - RE Block B Mixed Use Building Application 24266 Bozeman Department of Community Development
PO Box 1230
Bozeman, MT 59771-1230
RE: BLOCK B MIXED USE BUILDING APPLICATION: 24266
We own the property immediately across Babcock(520 E. Babcock)from the development proposed in
this application. We are not opposed to the development we are only opposed to the "shallow
incentives"that are proposed to add an additional 2 stories to the building. This is an already congested
area that struggles to handle peak traffic. The odd intersection immediately East of this project
(Babcock and Wallace) is a definite safety concern because of the transition from the one-way street
ending and two-way street transition. Babcock is narrow in this area and has parking on both sides of
the street. The potential of people being struck while exiting a parked vehicle is very high.
The addition of the 6th and 7th stories to this building will only add to that congestion and public safety
problem. The 5 story building immediately East of our property has already significantly increased the
traffic and parking issues.We did not oppose that development because it was fully compliant and
didn't require special consideration of waving Zoning regulations. We would ask, "What height is too
high?
The height limitation in the B-3 Zone is in the regulation for a reason. These height limitations cannot be
sacrificed to appease the desires of the City in exchange for a proposed dedication of two parcels of
developable land.These are two totally unrelated issues. The Neighborhood Conservation Overlay
District and Zoning are there to "conserve"the nature of the Neighborhood not disrupt it.These
limitations were put in place by the same City Government that would potentially allow them to be
brushed aside for the sake of one individual development that is inconsistent with the surrounding
structures. The City has failed to identify why special consideration should be granted. Are any and all
Zoning Requirements able to be eliminated in exchange for"potentially developable" parcels of land?
We have no issues regarding development in the area within the defined parameters of the Zoning and
the Overlay District. Why adopt Zoning if only to find exception to not follow it? We only take
exception to Special Dispensation being given to developers to go outside the requirements for favors to
City Governments for other unrelated projects. We question the legality of granting such special
dispensation to Developers to change the rules to the detriment of the adjacent property owners and
their investments. We also fail to understand how providing parcels of land for development elsewhere
mitigates the excessive height of the building on its neighbors? We understand the concept of the
incentives to mitigate a potential development issue that may be related to the project. This excessive
height is not addressed in any manner by the proposed dedication to affordable housing and fails to
alleviate the impacts to the Neighborhood. Our current commercial tenant has already provided us with
notice that they will vacate the premises if this project goes forward as is.
We respectfully ask that any special dispensation to deviate from the regulations not be permitted with
the regard to height of this building.
Dian Boyle
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PO"Box 6161 r/
Bozeman MT 59771-6161