HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-04-25 Public Comment - Ci. Stillwell - Deny Application 24606From:Cindy Stillwell
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Deny Application 24606
Date:Monday, March 3, 2025 11:56:26 AM
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Hello City Commissioners and City planning and development office,
I am a resident of Bozeman MT live in the city, vote, pay taxes, including property taxes.
It has come to my attention that Homebase Partners in their development application
24606, proposes to modify the already accepted 21029 North Central Master Site Plan.
These are public trees.
Further, the developer has desires to change the approved block frontage from
mixed-landscaped to mixed-storefront. Such a change would result in no building
set back and removal of all the mature trees and boulevard. In contrast, the
original MSP and Tree Preservation Plan indicated these public tree assets would be
saved when this site was redeveloped.
The Community Development Director has the authority to approve or deny this
modification application. I would like to see the Community Development Director
deny these changes, amendments and further deviations for this site plan.
The reasoning is thus: Allowing the demolition of the public boulevard trees would not
be in keeping with Bozeman Municipal Code (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. Our City is supposed to integrate
climate change considerations into development standards.
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. It is possible to deny this modification application
because the developer can proceed with the originally approved design. There
are examples of infill development projects that successfully protect existing
trees during construction.
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.”
Lastly I would add that setting (or continuing) this kind of precedent is not in keeping with the
goals or standards of the future Bozeman that we and you are stewards in creating. These aremature trees that contribute to the distinct character or that neighborhood and the town of
Bozeman.
No developer's desires should not come before the greater public good afforded by existingmature trees that provide shade, carbon sequestration, wildlife habitat, aesthetics, and a link toour neighborhood’s past and future.
Thank you and I hope you can see my logicCindy Stillwell