HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-03-25 Public Comment - L. Jay - Application #24493 (the Guthrie Fifth and Villard) Reclaim Review AuthorityFrom:Lorre Jay
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Application #24493 (the Guthrie Fifth and Villard) Reclaim Review Authority
Date:Tuesday, December 31, 2024 1:28:35 PM
Attachments:Guthrie Application 24493.pdf
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Please see the attached letter requesting the City Commission reclaim the review authority for theGuthrie Application #24493.
Thank you,
Lorre Jay
Bozeman Resident
December 31, 2024
Reclaiming Review Authority of the Fifth and Villard (Guthrie)
Application #24493
Dear City Commissioners,
Please reclaim site review authority for the Guthrie Fifth and Villard Application
#24493 (Guthrie, V.2) requested by the developer, Home Base Partners.
Due to the complexity of the project, the City Commission’s prior reclaiming of
review authority and subsequent denial of the site plan for the Guthrie
(Application #23354, Guthrie V.1), it is imperative that the City Commission also
review this follow-on application.
Given the history of the Guthrie project including the City Commission’s decision
to reclaim site plan review on Guthrie V.1, (mistakenly recommended by City staff
who did not use the same vetting process as the City Commission), to provide a
more thorough and transparent evaluation of the project, demonstrated the City’s
fiduciary commitment to avoid exploitation of our community in favor of
development that doesn’t serve the Bozeman citizens.
The Guthrie V.2 is a similar project that still requests deep incentives for providing
slightly larger units that are still unaffordable.
Given that Guthrie V.1 cost/benefit analysis did not shake out favorably for the
developer and your decision stopped the exploitation of deep incentives and tax
subsidies of hard-working citizens, the City Commission should similarly review
the follow-on proposal to ensure the same problems with first proposal are
thoroughly vetted.
You rejected the Guthrie V.1 based on the conclusion that the project was too far
from protecting the general welfare of the community. Rightly so, as you
concluded after long discussion, review and debate that the project would not
provide affordable housing (due to discrepancy in calculation of affordable rents
and size of units), questioned whether units were equitable, questioned if there
would be sufficient ADA compliance, questioned whether it would increase traffic
and destroy neighborhood integrity while increasing the rate of return on
investment by transferring tax dollars to a for-profit entity without due
consideration. This reflected the Commission’s desire to exercise well its duty of
care as Fiduciaries of the City of Bozeman.
Given that the staff administrative review for Guthrie V.1 did not use the same due
diligence, critical thinking and consideration of the cost/benefit balance, it is
incumbent upon you to reclaim the review of Application 24493 (The Guthrie, V.2).
Thank you for all your hard work and deep thinking on these important issues that
are complex to solve.
Sincerely,
Lorre F. Jay
Bozeman Resident