HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-30-24 Public Comment - A. House - The Guthrie 2 (#24-493)From:amanda house
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]The Guthrie 2 (#24-493)
Date:Saturday, December 28, 2024 3:32:23 PM
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Dear Bozeman City Commission,
I am writing to ask the Bozeman City Commission to
(1)reclaim review authority over The Guthrie 2 (App. No. 24493) development project and
(2)
subsequently deny The Guthrie 2 (App. No. 24493) development project.1 The BTC’s
reasons
for making these requests are as follows:
Reason 1: The Guthrie 2 development project lies within Bozeman’s Neighborhood
Conservation Overlay District (NCOD),2 and this development project proposes to remove
all
existing mature trees and all other existing vegetation on the site before new construction
begins. Arguably, removing all existing mature trees and all other existing vegetation on the
site
before new construction begins will not comply with BMC DIVISION 38.110. ADOPTED
PLANS,
STANDARDS AND RESOLUTIONS, Sec. 38.110.010. Plans, standards and resolutions
adopted by reference, B. [Bozeman] Guidelines for historic preservation and neighborhood
conservation overlay district.3
In the Bozeman Guidelines for Historic Preservation and Neighborhood Conservation Overlay
District (Jan 17, 2006, amended Jul 13, 2015),4 Chapter 2. Design Guidelines for All
Properties,
E. Landscape Design, reads:
“Policy:
Traditionally, plant beds were located around building foundations, along walkways, and
sometimes in front of fences. Some of these plantings may have historic significance and
should
be retained to the extent feasible. Mature trees may also contribute to the historic
landscape
and should be preserved.”
“Guidelines:
1. Preserve and maintain mature trees and significant vegetation within all corridors.
o Include existing vegetation as part of a landscape design scheme where
appropriate.
o In development areas, healthy trees and vegetation clusters should be identified
for preservation.
Special consideration should be given to mature trees, 6 inches or greater
in diameter, and to vegetation clusters with significant visual impact.
Vegetation designated for preservation should be incorporated into new
development site designs to the maximum extent possible.”
Reason 2: In addition to being noncompliant with the NCOD, The Guthrie 2 is also
noncompliant with BMC 38.230.100 [Site] Plan Review Criteria,5 specifically:
A.5.c. “Applicable zone specific or overlay standards (divisions 38.330-340).” As previously
noted, The Guthrie 2 does not conform to the tree preservation requirements of the NCOD-
38.340.
7.a. Requires "Compatibility with, and sensitivity to, the immediate environment of the
site...relative to ... neighborhood identity, landscaping, historical character." As previously
noted,
by removing all healthy and mature trees on the site, The Guthrie 2 will not be compatible
with
or sensitive to its immediate environment with regard to the existing landscaping and
historical
character that the mature trees are providing on the site.
7.c. "Design and arrangement of elements of the plan...in harmony with the.... existing
vegetation..." As previously noted, The Guthrie 2 proposal is not designed in harmony with
the
existing vegetation because of the developers plans to remove all the existing vegetation. A
complete scraping of vegetation and removal of all existing trees is the antithesis of
designing in
harmony with the existing vegetation.
Conclusion:
To reiterate and conclude, the BTC asks the Bozeman City Commission to (1) reclaim review
authority over The Guthrie 2 (App. No. 24493) development project and (2) subsequently
deny
The Guthrie 2 (App. No. 24493) development project because of noncompliance with BMC
Sec. 38.110.010. Plans, standards and resolutions adopted by reference, B. [Bozeman]
Guidelines for Historic Preservation and Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District and
noncompliance with BMC 38.230.100. [Site] Plan Review Criteria.
I request that the commission respect the Bozeman locals perspective on this matter.
Sincerely,
Amanda House
Amanda House
1627 W Main ST #145
Bozeman, MT 59715