HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-04-25 Public Comment - Ch. Stillwell - Deny Application 24606From:Christy Stillwell
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Deny Application 24606
Date:Sunday, March 2, 2025 8:10:49 PM
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Commissioners and Community Development Director Erin George:
Please deny this application from HomeBase, which intends to amend the North
Central Master Plan site.
Changing the approved block frontage from mixed-landscaped to mixed storefront
would remove all mature trees. And it would allow the building to escape any set
backs, making these city blocks even more congested and dangerous than they are with
the North Central plan half done.
Please deny this amendment. Trees and set backs are good for the environment and
make for livable cities. Trees are just plain good for people, for human souls. There is
no compelling reason for approving this amendment; HomeBase should be held
accountable to the existing code.
Consider that the amendment violates the BMC Section 38.230.100 Plan Review
Criteria:
Criterion 1. Conformance to and consistency with the City’s adopted growth
policy (aka Bozeman Community Plan 2020) - specifically goal EPO-2 because
this development would not be responsive to natural features - ie the existing
mature trees and EPO3.9 because cutting them down would be in direct
conflict with the City’s climate goal to reduce carbon emissions into the
atmosphere.
Criterion 6. Conformance with the community design provisions of article 4,
including: Community design and element provisions (division 38.410) General
Standard 38.410.010 which states that the design and development of all land
uses must, to the extent possible, preserve trees. That developer can proceed
with the originally approved design and thereby not violate this criterion is not
only feasible, it has been done in other development projects around the city.
Criterion 7. Conformance with the project design provisions of article 5,
including: 7a,c, d and e. The new development should be sensitive to
neighborhood identity, landscaping and historical character. Design should be
in harmony with existing vegetation with an emphasis on preserving existing
vegetation.
Division 38.110. Adopted Plans, Standards and Resolutions In the Bozeman
Guidelines for Historic Preservation and Neighborhood Conservation Overlay
District Ch 2 and Ch 4B. The Landscape Design Policy states "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.” It says special attention should be paid to trees 6 inches in
diameter or greater and these all meet that criteria. The Streetscape Policy
states, “Maintain the character of the streetscape.” On page 10 it states,
"Where planting strips between the curb and sidewalk exist they should be
maintained.”
Thank you
Christy Stillwell