HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-13-25 Public Comment - A. Ackmen - 5532 Fowler LN ANNX_Planning file number_ 24-492From:Alexis Ackman
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]5532 Fowler LN ANNX/Planning file number: 24-492
Date:Monday, May 12, 2025 4:52:47 PM
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.
Subject: Concerns About the Rocky Mountain Flats Development at 5532 FowlerDear Mayor Cunningham and City Planners,I’m writing to you not just as a resident of Bozeman, but as a concerned mom who is raisingher children in the Meadow Creek neighborhood, near the proposed affordable housingdevelopment at 5532 Fowler Avenue, known as Rocky Mountain Flats.As you know, this 10-acre plot, located just west of Meadow Creek and south of Buffalo Run,was annexed and zoned R4 by the City Commission in April. Blue Line Development is nowconsidering building affordable housing here for families earning 30 to 80 percent of the AreaMedian Income, and they intend to apply for Type C incentives through the City’s AffordableHousing Ordinance.While I fully support the idea of affordable housing in our community, I have serious concernsabout this specific location.This site is 3.5 miles from the nearest grocery store and essential services like healthcare, jobs,and public transportation. Families who rely on affordable housing may not have access to acar, and placing them in such an isolated location creates unnecessary challenges. It doesn’tmake sense to build homes for people where they can’t easily get food, work, or medical care.This feels like setting them up to struggle instead of helping them succeed.I’m also very worried about the safety of our children. This development will significantlyincrease traffic, especially along Meah Lane, which runs directly adjacent to the park wheremany neighborhood kids—including my own—play. More cars on this narrow residential roadraise serious safety concerns, and the area is not currently designed to handle a sharp rise intraffic volume.Our neighborhood is already feeling the pressure from too many developments in a small area.The roads, sidewalks, and green spaces are not equipped to safely or comfortably support somany new residents. There are also very few safe pedestrian routes for kids and families, andno plans have been presented to address these basic infrastructure needs.Additionally, the development would be placed directly adjacent to neighborhoods with high-value homes. While Meadow Creek is zoned as R-3, in actuality, the communitypredominantly consists of single-family homes. As built, it meets the definition of R-1.Without sufficient buffering, zoning transitions, or consideration of the impact on propertyvalues, this will likely create tension and diminish the quality of life for both new and currentresidents. It is hard to understand why such a high-density project is being planned for an areawhere residents have made substantial investments in their homes and communities.This isn’t about rejecting affordable housing—it's about ensuring the development is placed ina location that is fair to all Bozeman residents, where it can thrive without overburdeninginfrastructure and creating unnecessary conflicts.As a mother and a neighbor, I ask you to reconsider this location and explore alternativescloser to town, near public transit, services, and grocery stores. Let’s grow Bozeman in a waythat’s smart, fair, and safe for all families.Thank you for listening and for taking our community’s concerns seriouslySincerely,
Alexis Ackman and Aaron Jacobsen3004 Meah Lane
Bozeman, MT 59718
This communication is confidential to Bozeman Health and is intended solely for the use of the
individual or organization to whom it is addressed. It may contain privileged information. Ifyou have received this message in error, please notify the originator immediately. If you arenot the intended recipient, you should not use, copy, alter, or disclose the contents of thismessage. All information or opinions expressed in this message and/or any attachments arethose of the author and are not necessarily those of Bozeman Health. Bozeman Health accepts no
responsibility for loss or damage arising from its use.