HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-04-25 Public Comment - E. Darrow - Community Development Boards Deny Application 24606From:Elizabeth Darrow
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Community Development Boards Deny Application 24606
Date:Sunday, March 2, 2025 11:20:12 AM
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To: Community Development Board, City of BozemanFrom: Elizabeth Darrow & Jim Walseth Re: Deny Application 24606 by HomeBase Partners and Preserve Heritage Trees & Uphold
Sustainable Growth PoliciesDate: March 2, 2025
Dear Director George and Board Members,
We speak here as private citizens not as part of any official city body. We strongly oppose
Application 24606 by HomeBase Partners, which seeks to alter the previously approved NorthCentral Master Site Plan (MSP) 21029. This amendment would eliminate setbacks and remove
mature public trees near the historic Bozeman Deaconess Hospital site, underminingBozeman’s commitment to sustainable growth and historic landscape of the city.
Reasons for Denial:
1. Inconsistency with Growth Policy
The Bozeman Community Plan 2020 prioritizes integrating natural features into urban
development. Goal EPO-2 and Policy EPO-3.9 emphasize preserving vegetation to
reduce carbon emissions. Removing mature trees contradicts these principles.
2. Violation of Municipal Code
Bozeman Municipal Code (Section 38.230.100) mandates preservation of trees in
development planning. General Standard 38.410.010 requires designs to retain trees
where possible—this proposal and its "clear-cut" poor design fails to meet that
requirement.
3. Harm to Neighborhood Character
Mature trees define the historic fabric and aesthetics of the area. Their removal would
diminish neighborhood identity, contrary to Criterion 7 of Section 38.230.100, which
mandates sensitivity to local character.
4. Environmental & Health Concerns
Trees improve air quality, provide shade, reduce heat islands, and sequester carbon.
Removing them undermines public health and sustainability goals at a critical time.
Conclusion
This proposal violates Bozeman’s growth policies, municipal code, and sustainability goals.
We urge you to deny Application 24606 to protect our heritage trees, maintain neighborhoodcharacter, quality of life and health and uphold our community values and commitments to
sustainable growth in a time of climate crisis.
Sincerely,Elizabeth Darrow & Jim Walseth
6093 West Babcock StreetBozeman, MT 59715