The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About02-28-25 Public Comment - P. McGown - I am concerned.From:Patty McGown To:Bozeman Public Comment; Chuck Winn; Erin George; Nicholas Ross Subject:[EXTERNAL]I am concerned. Date:Wednesday, February 26, 2025 5:40:07 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Dear Mayor, City Commissioner's and City Planners: I am a concerned resident. I pay property taxes, I vote, and I take care of my home, I’m friendly on the trails, and I try to walk everywhere, even to commission meetings, and I shop locally, yet I think I am not being heard and my opinion is not valued. I am concerned. I am writing to voice my concerns. I am concerned by what appears to be a lack of the fundamental understanding that increasing luxury housing built by developers for wealthy investors will not provide, or create, affordable housing. I am concerned that the commissioners and the city planners do not realize that Increasing expensive housing density does not produce housing affordability. Recently, I spent an evening with a local architect. The architect said, in no uncertain terms, that density does not, and will not, increase housing affordability. I begged this architect to talk to the city commissioners and planning office. Maybe that will happen. Does increasing housing density cause an increase in the number of affordable housing units? Quite the contrary!!! Increasing the amount of luxury housing only increases the amount of expensive housing. The majority of this luxury housing is built for people who come to Bozeman to ski or recreate or party. These non resident people have enormous amounts of disposable income. They want fancy luxurious condos. They don’t want to see service people or unhoused people living around them or in the streets in Bozeman. I am concerned that the affordable housing that Bozeman is missing is possible if, and only if, the city commission can make some hard decisions and unpopular decisions regarding zoning. Rather than give the developer the tax incentives and tax breaks etc., please consider creating a process for local residents to apply for a grant or low interest loan from the city to incentivize and assist residents to be able to afford to build ADU’s or cottage housing in existing neighborhoods where infrastructure already exists. I am concerned that the City commission has stated that they have a priority of creating anADU incentive package, but that you have done exactly zero work on that so far. Please makethis a priority, make residents a priority, above and beyond the current effort made fordevelopers to be able to build luxury buildings. I am concerned that the City Commission almost never reviews developments. That’s why it’s crucial for residents who love Bozeman to be involved in shaping this updating of the UDC! That’s why the renderings that are currently used to show density, where there are empty lots all around one lot that has 4 buildings seen from above. This is misleading. I am concerned that city staff approve the huge 5 story developments that are not a fit for Bozeman. City Staff are not directly accountable to residents and they are trained to develop. Thats what they do! And that’s not in the best interest of neighborhoods or residents and renters. I am concerned that the city planning staff are not enforcing the current NCOD and that the city needs to limit NCOD Boundary Changes. I am concerned about the commitment to preserve neighborhood character and density compatibility with existing neighborhoods. I am concerned with the lack of availability of affordable housing and the fact that thecity commission and planners do not believe NOAH exists. IT EXISTS!!! Landlords that bought houses up to and before 2010 do not have a huge mortgage and can afford to not gouge renters and can rent affordably. This NOAH exists in existing neighborhoods that need to be preserved. Developers buy these houses and buildluxury apartments. This is not what Bozeman wants. I am concerned about growth. I am concerned about zoning, density, building heights and transitions. I am concerned about floor area ratios and zone edge transitions. I am concerned about traffic and parking and congestion and infrastructure. I am concerned about bike lanes and walkability for pedestrians. I am concerned about water. There is not enough water in the Gallatin valley for the current level of growthand platted lots. I am concerned about open space, parks, trees, wetlands and committing to preserving natural environments. I am concerned about the lack of interest of the commission and planners to preservethe integrity and safety and character of Bozeman’s neighborhoods. I am concerned that the city is not prioritizing predictable, incremental growth in the UDC, and not supporting neighborhood character, and not serving the highest interestof the whole Bozeman community, both homeowners and renters. I am concerned that I am not being heard or believed. The time is now to address these concerns. Standing by,Patty McGown Patty McGown