HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-04-25 Public Comment - R. Gorsuch - Deny Application 24606From:Royce Gorsuch
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Deny Application 24606
Date:Sunday, March 2, 2025 3:20:35 PM
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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.”