HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-27-25 Public Comment - P. McGown - A plea from the heart and headFrom:Patty McGown
To:agenda@bozeman.net; Bozeman Public Comment; Chuck Winn; Erin George; Nicholas Ross
Subject:[EXTERNAL]A plea from the heart and head
Date:Friday, January 24, 2025 3:47:39 PM
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Dear City Commissioners et. al.
I live at 222 S 13th Ave in the Jandt Neighborhood that provides NOAH on almost every street in the half mile by a
mile boundary.
Thank you to all who attended the Jandt neighborhood meeting.
At our Neighborhood meeting, Mayor Cunningham used the argument against NOAH stating something along the
lines that he looked at random houses on Zillow and the values were so high that rents couldn’t be affordable. I am
arguing that that is an invalid conclusion from that data. Looking at the value of every other house on Zillow is not
enough data or information to make the conclusion that he makes. This seems like a red herring.
Of course houses on Zillow are expensive All houses that Zillow puts a monetary value on are not necessarily for
sale Houses on Zillow are priced with today’s prices. Not what someone paid in the past. Prices in the past were
way, way lower than today. Zillow did not exist until 2014.
It’s crucial that the city understand that NOAH exists in Bozeman and it is possible when the home owner purchased
the home before the huge boom in Bozeman. And renters benefit from this too. These homes, many in the Jandt
neighborhood, that were purchased before the Bozeman Boom, provide the opportunity for landlords to not have to
gouge renters. They don’t have as expensive a payment. There are landlords that are not greedy. This is real and a
fact and is happening in Bozeman. Zillow does not portray this reality. I can provide the names of three landlords
right now. Respond to this email and I will send you their info. I already have their permission.
However, affordable rents in new developments are not what is happening. Density does not create affordable
housing. Bozeman used to be affordable before developers were allowed to run roughshod over the city and buy up
as much real estate as possible and build, build, build, and cause the increase in prices of the land/homes.
Only looking at Zillow is seeing the tree but not the forrest. Please , in your elected position, representing all
residents of Bozeman, please protect what is already here.
The Mayor also stated that he wants to make sure there is housing for people wanting to move here. This is
ludicrous. Willingly admitting that the commission is more inclined to make sure that developers build and density
is increased for future residents rather than protect existing core neighborhoods for current residents flys in the face
of representation. It’s akin to Taxation without representation.
It’s imperative that the commission shift perspective and support the residents who live in Bozeman NOW!!
What will it take to get you all to turn your heads and see the residents who have made Bozeman what it is today?
This town was built on the backs of hard working people who toiled for minimum wage and saved and scrimped to
survive here. I am one of them Now the statistic thrown around is that 80% of people who have moved here don’t
have to work. And can afford million dollar apartments. And the commission is catering to these new and future
residents.
Why are you catering to these new people and not the folks who made Bozeman what it is: a desirable community?
Chris Saunders said that everything built so far is what the codes have allowed. Ok well, it is time, on your watch, to
please choose to protect what’s left of core neighborhoods by changing the codes to reflect the needs and desires of
current residents in core neighborhoods before every neighborhood is filled with the monstrosity at 9th and
Babcock.
If you think that a huge building at 9th and Babcock fits in, or will provide affordable housing, or will create goodneighbors and be part of a community, then you have not been paying attention to the reality of the current Bozemanresidents. And I ask in all sincerity, would you live there?
The mayor also stated that putting density and housing in the recently annexed areas requires the increased cost ofinfrastructure. I can tell you from lived experience, that the current infrastructure in Bozeman DOES NOTSUPPORT further or future growth. In most areas, streets, sewers, and water infrastructure (and more) are notadequate for existing housing let alone additional density, apartments, and 8-12 plexes.
Please, I implore you, Protect the core neighborhoods that make Bozeman what it is. Let your legacy be that you hada vision of protection rather than pillage and develop.
Standing by,
Patty McGown