HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-01-25 Public Comment - M. Kaveney - replacement pdf for the dox- for Guthrie Appeal and Tree CommentsFrom:Marcia Kaveney
To:Mike Maas
Subject:[EXTERNAL]replacement pdf for the dox- for Guthrie Appeal and Tree Comments
Date:Tuesday, April 1, 2025 10:50:07 AM
Attachments:Guthrie Appeal and Tree Comments.pdf
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you
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Hi Mike-
I just sent in comments for the Guthrie Appeal and realized it was not in pdf format. Here's thesame letter in pdf format if that is more appropriate.
Thank you,
Marcia
Dear Mayor and Commissioners,
This letter is about Bozeman's mature urban forest and its cumulative degradation. When
one only considers tree loss on a development by development basis it might not seem as
though we are losing a lot. But these developments together constitute a significant loss to
our urban forest. It's important to keep in mind that planting a sapling does not replace a
mature tree. The two are not equivalent. Your vote tonight can turn this pattern around. I’m
bringing this to your attention because it’s not something you’ll find in the news, or most
staG reports, and could easily be missed if one isn't thinking about the cumulative impact
of all these developments as well as scrutinizing the administrative reviews of site plans,
COAs, etc.
In 2023, approximately 250 trees on the Canyon Gate property were bulldozed including
about 5-8 mature trees in the future park location. HomeBase is only scheduled to plant
111 trees to replace those, and only responsible for their survival for one year. None have
been planted to date. If all survive, this is a net loss of 139 trees. Many of the original trees
could have been protected had the following codes been more closely enforced: Division
38.410. 010 General Standards. 2b. Natural Environment., and 38.220.060. A.5. Vegetation.
b. Protective measures.
This spring, 22 out of 23 trees on the 7th and Aspen property were bulldozed including two
stately streetside spruce trees. Net loss tbd but the ~100 year old spruce trees are
definitely not being replaced. Their location made them good candidates to act as
boulevard trees as this location doesn't provide a plantable boulevard. This project is
within the NCOD and none of the landscaping design plans were followed that required the
design to accommodate existing mature vegetation. The operative codes were Section
38.110.010(B) NCOD Guidelines, and 38.230.100. Site Plan Review Criteria. Criteria 1 and
7.
These are just two examples of mature tree losses within the City, happening all around us
every year. Some of these trees could have been protected with code enforcement and
design guidance by staG. The recent administrative approval of the future removal of 4-5
perfectly healthy Green Ash trees so HomeBase could enlarge the footprint of their hotel is
another good example of avoidable loss. The loss of these trees to accomodate a larger
hotel provides no benefit to the community and conflicts with Bozeman’s Urban Forestry
Management Plan (UFMP). By contrast, protecting the mature trees provides significant
benefit to the community, and conforms to existing plans and regulations.
(From the Urban Forestry Management Plan
p.9. The urban forest must be thought of as an essential component of Bozeman’s
infrastructure and must be included in the planning of Bozeman’s growth and
development.
p. 19. When an older tree is removed, there is a significant loss of benefits, as a large tree
provides three to eight times the benefits that a small tree provides (Rogers, 2011).
p.20. A large tree with a broad-leaved canopy oGers more benefits over time. These trees
can reach heights of 60 feet and life spans of 100 years, and planting should be encouraged
where root and canopy space is adequate.
p.21 …updating ordinances for new developments to have a plan to achieve a 33% canopy
cover in 15 years will help address the goal of increasing canopy cover. The second way to
increase canopy cover is to protect the trees already in the ground so they can thrive.)
(From the Bozeman Emerald Ash Borer Course of Action Plan:
p.12 …it is less expensive and tree benefits are retained by treating and saving our ash tree
population. This is because the removal cost is more than treating the trees, even over
time. Moreover, the benefits of the city’s mature trees are retained by treating every mature
ash tree that is in good condition and in an appropriate location.
p. 19 …by far the most economically beneficial approach to dealing with EAB is to preserve
as many ash trees that are 10 inches in caliper and over, in good condition, and growing in
appropriate locations. This approach will cost the least and oGer the most benefits.)
The NCOD and Urban Forest Management Plan are two City plans that must be followed,
as referenced by Section 38.110.010(B) in the City’s development code. They are good
plans that oGer the balance needed to help guide growth in a positive direction. Your
support of the Guthrie Appeal tonight will let the public and staG know that the City
Commission takes its guiding plans seriously and expects them to be followed. Housing
and trees can coexist with adherence to City codes and and plans. It’s time to turn around
the slow demise of our existing urban forest. You have that opportunity tonight.
Please support the Guthrie Appeal.
Thank you,
From:Marcia Kaveney
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]City Commission and Guthrie Appeal; Trees, NCOD, UFMP
Date:Tuesday, April 1, 2025 10:35:42 AM
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.
Dear Mayor and Commissioners,
This letter is about Bozeman's mature urban forest and its cumulative degradation.
When one only considers tree loss on a development by development basis it might not
seem as though we are losing a lot. But these developments together constitute a
significant loss to our urban forest. It's important to keep in mind that planting a sapling
does not replace a mature tree. The two are not equivalent. Your vote tonight can turn
this pattern around. I’m bringing this to your attention because it’s not something you’ll
find in the news, or most staff reports, and could easily be missed if one isn't thinking
about the cumulative impact of all these developments as well as scrutinizing the
administrative reviews of site plans, COAs, etc.
In 2023, approximately 250 trees on the Canyon Gate property were bulldozed including
about 5-8 mature trees in the future park location. HomeBase is only scheduled to plant
111 trees to replace those, and only responsible for their survival for one year. None
have been planted to date. If all survive, this is a net loss of 139 trees. Many of the
original trees could have been protected had the following codes been more closely
enforced: Division 38.410. 010 General Standards. 2b. Natural Environment., and
38.220.060. A.5. Vegetation. b. Protective measures.
This spring, 22 out of 23 trees on the 7th and Aspen property were bulldozed including
two stately streetside spruce trees. Net loss tbd but the ~100 year old spruce trees are
definitely not being replaced. Their location made them good candidates to act as
boulevard trees as this location doesn't provide a plantable boulevard. This project is
within the NCOD and none of the landscaping design plans were followed that required
the design to accommodate existing mature vegetation. The operative codes were
Section 38.110.010(B) NCOD Guidelines, and 38.230.100. Site Plan Review Criteria.
Criteria 1 and 7.
These are just two examples of mature tree losses within the City, happening all around
us every year. Some of these trees could have been protected with code enforcement
and design guidance by staff. The recent administrative approval of the future removal
of 4-5 perfectly healthy Green Ash trees so HomeBase could enlarge the footprint of
their hotel is another good example of avoidable loss. The loss of these trees to
accomodate a larger hotel provides no benefit to the community and conflicts with
Bozeman’s Urban Forestry Management Plan (UFMP). By contrast, protecting the
mature trees provides significant benefit to the community, and conforms to existing
plans and regulations.
(From the Urban Forestry Management Plan
p.9. The urban forest must be thought of as an essential component of Bozeman’s
infrastructure and must be included in the planning of Bozeman’s growth and development.
p. 19. When an older tree is removed, there is a significant loss of benefits, as a large tree
provides three to eight times the benefits that a small tree provides (Rogers, 2011).
p.20. A large tree with a broad-leaved canopy offers more benefits over time. These trees can
reach heights of 60 feet and life spans of 100 years, and planting should be encouraged where
root and canopy space is adequate.
p.21 …updating ordinances for new developments to have a plan to achieve a 33% canopy
cover in 15 years will help address the goal of increasing canopy cover. The second way to
increase canopy cover is to protect the trees already in the ground so they can thrive.)
(From the Bozeman Emerald Ash Borer Course of Action Plan:
p.12 …it is less expensive and tree benefits are retained by treating and saving our ash tree
population. This is because the removal cost is more than treating the trees, even over time.
Moreover, the benefits of the city’s mature trees are retained by treating every mature ash
tree that is in good condition and in an appropriate location.
p. 19 …by far the most economically beneficial approach to dealing with EAB is to preserve as
many ash trees that are 10 inches in caliper and over, in good condition, and growing in
appropriate locations. This approach will cost the least and offer the most benefits.)
The NCOD and Urban Forest Management Plan are two City plans that must be followed,
as referenced by Section 38.110.010(B) in the City’s development code. They are good
plans that offer the balance needed to help guide growth in a positive direction. Your
support of the Guthrie Appeal tonight will let the public and staff know that the City
Commission takes its guiding plans seriously and expects them to be followed. Housing
and trees can coexist with adherence to City codes and and plans. It’s time to turn
around the slow demise of our existing urban forest. You have that opportunity tonight.
Please support the Guthrie Appeal.
Thank you,
Marcia Kaveney