HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-05-25 Public Comment - L. Semones - Application 24606 attention Director of Community Development, Mayor Cunningham, Deputy Mayor Morrison, and Commissioners Madgic, Fischer, and BodeFrom:Linda Semones
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Application 24606 attention Director of Community Development, Mayor Cunningham, Deputy Mayor
Morrison, and Commissioners Madgic, Fischer, and Bode
Date:Saturday, March 1, 2025 2:48:41 PM
Attachments:Trees at Medical Arts.docx
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.
I am sending the attached letter as public comment on this application. Although I am on a
city board, I am sending the comment as a private citizen. Thank you for all your difficult
work for this beautiful city.
Linda Semones
Dear Community Development Director, Although I am on a city board, I am writing this letter as a private citizen. I am writing to comment on Home Base Partners’ Application 24606 to modify the site plan 21029, The requested modifications would remove all setbacks and also remove all the mature trees on the property and on
the boulevards. Allowing the demolition of these public property and private property 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 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.”
I am horrified that not only have we lost all the trees around the Henry and his other developments in town, but also we have lost all the native Cottonwood trees dividing the Legends development from Home Base’s property. Now this group is requesting more destruction. As a reminder, here is a picture of what occurred where the Henry now stands:
This destruction of a vital resource of the community cannot continue. These trees have for many years provided shade, wild life habitat, safety for birds in migration, water run off control, carbon sequestration, and heat moderation in a changing climate. These trees contribute to Bozeman being a walkable, human scale city. Please deny this application.
Sincerely, Linda Semones 404 S Church Ave Bozeman