HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-31-25 Public Comment - S. Loen - Guthrie appealFrom:Sarah Loen
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Guthrie appeal
Date:Monday, March 31, 2025 11:12:01 AM
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To Whom It May Concern,
I write to underscore a critical fact: Bozeman’s Neighborhood Conservation
Overlay District (NCOD) and its Design Guidelines are mandatory city code, not
advisory. Any development within its boundaries—such as the proposed project the
Guthrie—must comply with these standards. The city’s own code, under Section38.110.010(B), adopts the NCOD Guidelines by reference, making them legallyenforceable. Further, Section 38.100.050(A) clarifies that the most restrictive
standards—such as those in the NCOD—govern when conflicts with base zoning
arise.
Yet staff reports continue to misstate regulatory framework. The site of the
proposed Guthrie is within the NCOD and therefore all of the NCOD Design
Guidelines as mandated by the Design Guidelines must apply in determining if aCertificate of Appropriateness is warranted.
Additionally, the staff report for the appeal of the Guthrie incorrectly interprets the
word “should” in the Design Guidelines as discretionary. Appendix B of theGuidelines clearly defines “should” as requiring compliance. This misreadingopens the door to incompatible development and undermines decades of
preservation policy.
The community is not opposed to growth—but demands it be compatible andlawful. The NCOD exists to protect neighborhood character, and that protection
must be upheld.
The NCOD is law. It must be respected.
Sincerely,
Sarah Loen
3/31/25