HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-18-25 Public Comment - M. Honnold - Proposed Boutique Hotel__CCOA__DeviationFrom:Maddi Honnold
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Proposed Boutique Hotel//CCOA//Deviation
Date:Tuesday, April 15, 2025 1:21:16 PM
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To: Mayor Terry Cunningham & Deputy Mayor Joey Morrison,
Commissioners: Jennifer Madgic, Douglas Fischer & Emma Bode
As well as who else it may concern,
I am writing today to express my concern with the proposed boutique hotel located at 302 EMendenhall street.
My partner and I currently operate a local business that has been located downtown since2018. While we agree with the continued evolution of the downtown area, it must be done in ahealthy, sustainable way that does not negatively impact businesses and the environment thatmakes Bozeman the place we all know and love.
Personally, we have seen a significant decrease in downtown business due to lack of parking,specifically in the last year. Most entrepreneurs and developers in this town forget oneimportant fact: IT IS LOCALS THAT KEEP US IN BUSINESS; tourism helps to supplement.We consistently hear from our customers about the difficulty of parking. It has gotten to apoint that most year-round Bozemanites I’ve personally talked to do not go downtown to eator spend money due to parking concerns.
I humbly disagree with Matt Paine’s argument that a hotel is the best use. Hotels in Bozemanare booked 2, maybe 3 nights per year; freshman orientation and graduation coming to mindspecifically. An empty or partially booked hotel does not help keep local businesses thriving,especially when coupled with a significant decrease in parking that allows locals to patronizesaid businesses.
Beyond initial parking concerns and the inherently negative impact on surrounding localbusinesses, there are also environmental concerns unaddressed by the city commission. I donot believe there was proper environmental impact study done before the introduction of thenew well placed last year. In many years previous I have seen multitudes of rainbow, brown,and cutthroat trout swim up Bozeman Creek during the spring and summer. I have seen thiscreek rise 5+ feet in the matter of a hours during peak spring runoff. Are we so quick to forgetthe Yellowstone Flood of a couple years ago?
While I am aware of the fact the encroachment is for a “patio” the current proposal does notinclude how close the building foundation will be to the creek edge, or what tree coverage willbe removed. At best, it is an egregious overstep to ask for a 30’ encroachment into a 35’setback. At worst, it’s an environmental disaster waiting to happen. There are long-standingreasons as to why we have this 35’ setback in place for flood plains.
I do believe there are ways to grow Bozeman together. There is room for new endeavors,without taking away from the current community. We need new lifeblood, while alsominimizing impact to current long term businesses. I hope that some of these concerns may be
address before moving forward with blanket approval.
In humble sincerity,
Madilynn HonnoldLocal Service Industry Member