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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-28-25 Public Comment - D. Cape - Wagon Wheel Park RezoneFrom:Don Cape, Jr. To:Chris Saunders Cc:Bozeman Public Comment Subject:[EXTERNAL]Wagon Wheel Park Rezone Date:Wednesday, February 26, 2025 1:30:50 PM Attachments:Wagon Wheel Rezone Letter.pdf 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. Chris, I hope you are doing well and that things are going as planned with the revisions to the development code. I have attached a letter with my comments and suggestions regarding theproposed rezone of Wagon Wheel Park along the west side of South 23rd. In the letter I suggest the property be rezoned REMU as opposed to a combination of B-2M and R-MH. Itneeds to be acknowledged that the current use, at some point in time, will be physically obsolete and a change of use will need to be considered. It seems appropriate that the cityconsider that in the context of today’s effort as opposed to reactively considering in the future. It is very important to note that we do not have any plans to make a change of use, but that tosimply acknowledge the realities associated with the age of the park. In the letter I also suggest scheduling a meeting as I acknowledge that my suggestion has implications of significant magnitude and should be discussed and brainstormed collectivelyin more detail. I gladly will make myself available at your convenience. I can be reached via email at dcape@jwtcompanies.com or on my cellphone at 406-579-2316. Take care, Don Cape, Jr. JWT Companies485 Breeden DriveBozeman, MT 59718 p: 406.624.0382 dcape@jwtcompanies.com February 26, 2025 Don Cape, Jr. Home Leasing, Inc. 485 Breeden Drive Bozeman, MT 59718 Chris Saunders Community Development Manager City of Bozeman 20 East Olive Street P.O. Box 1230 Bozeman MT 59771-1230 Re: Rezoning of Home Leasing, Inc. dba Wagon Wheel Park Dear Chris, I hope this letter finds you well. I wanted to provide comments on the proposed rezoning of what is commonly referred to as Wagon Wheel Park, a mobile home park located on the west side of South 23rd Street between Main Street and West College Street. As you are aware, the property is currently zoned in its entirety as R-O. The current proposal shows southern portion being rezoned to R-MH and the northern portion to B-2M. Although I can understand the rationale behind the B-2M designation for the northern portion due to adjacent current and likely future uses, it does not seem practical to split the zoning between the northern and southern portions. Technically there are three deeded parcels comprising Wagon Wheel, but it has been operated as one single mobile home park for well over 50 years with all of the management infrastructure concentrated on the northern portion. It is unlikely that either end of the park would face a change of use independent of the other. I respectfully suggest that a more appropriate zoning designation would be REMU much like the section just to the west. This zoning designation would more align with the long term preference of the City of Bozeman toward increased density with mixed uses to encourage pedestrian activity and reduced vehicle dependance. Due to this site’s proximity to the Innovation Campus, Montana State University and adjacent retail uses, any future change of use would be most appropriate under the REMU designation. Although we do not have a desire to initiate a change of use of Wagon Wheel Park, the age of the park must be acknowledged. The average age of the homes is well over 40 years and much of the associated infrastructure is older than that. There will undoubtedly be a point in time in the future when the useful physical life of the homes and associated infrastructure will be exceeded and Wagon Wheel Park won’t be sustainable in its current use. It is appropriate that the City of Bozeman proactively anticipate this in the context of today’s zone map revisions as opposed to reactively evaluating it in the future. Acknowledging the magnitude of my suggestion and the long term implications it might have on this property, I suggest that a meeting would be beneficial to answer any questions or consider possible alternatives. I will make myself available at your convenience. I can be reached at 406-579-2316 or dcape@jwtcompanies.com. Thank you for the opportunity to provide these comments and for the work you and your team are doing toward making Bozeman a great place to call home. Sincerely, Don Cape, Jr.