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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-16-25 Public Comment - C. Johnson - Request for Action_ Parking Controls and Process Transparency for Flanders Mill NeighborhoodFrom:Courtney Johnson To:Bozeman Public Comment; Greg Sullivan; Nicholas Focken; Nicholas Ross; Chuck Winn Subject:[EXTERNAL]Request for Action: Parking Controls and Process Transparency for Flanders Mill Neighborhood Date:Wednesday, May 14, 2025 11:00:25 AM Attachments:image.pngimage.png250514 Request for Action - Flanders Mill Residential Parking Controls.pdf240722 Resolution for Parking District.pdf240925 Bozeman Transportation Board Meeting Minutes.pdf 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. Date: May 14th, 2025 City of Bozeman121 N Rouse Ave,Bozeman, MT 59715comments@bozeman.net RE: Request for Action: Parking Controls and Process Transparency for Flanders MillNeighborhood Dear City Commission, City Manager Winn, and City Staff, I’m writing as a resident of the Flanders Mill neighborhood to formally request clarity on the proceduralprocess for establishing residential parking controls and to ask the City to initiate the steps outlined inBozeman Municipal Code Section 36.04.330 to create a Residential Parking Permit Area. On July 22, 2024, a Resolution of Intent was submitted to the City Clerk to address ongoing congestionand growing safety concerns due to overflow parking from Gallatin High School. I attended and spokeduring the September 25, 2024 Transportation Board meeting, introducing these concerns on behalf ofthe neighborhood, particularly following the closure of the Oak and Flanders Mill intersection, whichsignificantly increased cut-through traffic from a principal arterial onto our local residential streets. Since then, I’ve partnered with neighbors to document access issues, track occupancy trends, and engagedirectly with City staff. While those efforts were initially met with constructive dialogue, the processnow appears stalled, with no formal response in weeks, no occupancy inventory completed, andcontinued uncertainty around next steps. Request for Procedural Clarity: I respectfully ask the City to confirm: 1.Whether a parking occupancy study is procedurally required by ordinance before proceeding to apublic hearing or Commission action;2.Whether the Resolution of Intent is sufficient to initiate a formal hearing under Sec. 36.04.330;3.What specific steps residents must take to formally move this request forward under current policy If parking inventory is required, I am happy to share the resident-collected data gathered throughout theschool year—particularly during the winter and spring months, when student parking increases as moresophomores (who are not eligible for on-campus parking) obtain their driver’s licenses. Neighborhood Alignment with Ordinance Criteria: Per Section 36.04.330(A) of the BozemanMunicipal Code, the City Commission may create residential parking permit areas after a public hearingif the following conditions are met: 1.The area is predominantly residential;2.Streets are regularly congested with non-resident vehicles;3.Parking limits would better serve residents’ needs. Our neighborhood clearly meets all three criteria. Additionally, the ordinance supports implementationwhen a parking district would further any of the following objectives: 1. Reducing traffic hazards2. Promoting tranquility among residents3. Reducing noise and litter We are experiencing: Obstructed emergency access routesBlocked fire hydrants and drivewaysDelayed garbage and delivery servicesUnsafe pedestrian conditions near Diamond Park and Safe Routes to School for MeadowlarkElementary studentsVandalism at Diamond Park and to private property These conditions are public safety issues and directly support the need for parking controls, consistentwith the intent of the ordinance. Need for Timely Action: We understand the City anticipates completing the new student parking lot atOak and Cottonwood next fall. However, we request that this infrastructure investment be concurrentlyimplemented with a residential parking program in Flanders Mill to ensure both are effective. Choosingto “wait and see” whether the new lot resolves these issues will only extend life safety risks and servicedisruptions. Without restrictions in place, students will understandably continue choosing the mostconvenient option—which is street parking in residential neighborhoods rather than using the new lotand crossing the proposed bridge. Bozeman High School and MSU already benefit from established parking districts. We respectfullyrequest equal protection and a transparent, timely process to address this issue before the 2025–2026school year begins. I respectfully request the City Staff and Commission: 1. Clarify the formal process and requirements under Sec. 36.04.3302. Consider initiating the public hearing process to establish a Residential Parking Permit Area forthe affected streets3. Act before the start of the 2025–2026 school year to ensure safety, access, and the effectiveness ofpublic infrastructure investments at the Sports Park. This request is not simply about neighborhood convenience, it’s about establishing necessary trafficprotections to support the health, safety, and welfare of students, parents, and residents in this impactfularea. With young children walking to school, public park access, and increased daily traffic fromGallatin High, we must treat this as a matter of responsible planning. The tools already exist in the City’sordinance to proactively address these issues. Let’s use them now to implement an effective and safersolution. Thank you for your time, your service, and your commitment to thoughtful city planning. I remainavailable to share neighborhood data, photos, and community feedback to support this effort. Sincerely,Courtney Johnson991 Auger Lanecourtney.johnson.mt@gmail.com406-579-0582 Attachments:240722 Resolution of Intent submitted to City Clerk Mike Mass240925 Bozeman Transportation Board Meeting Minutes.pdf Reference Ordinance: Sec. 36.04.330. - Procedure for the establishment of a residential on-streetparking permit regulation program. Cc:Public Comment – City Commission: comments@bozeman.netCity Attorney Greg Sullivan – gsullivan@bozeman.netParking Manager Nicholas Focken – nfocken@bozeman.netTransportation & Engineering Director Nicholas Ross – nross@bozeman.netCity Manager Chuck Winn – cwinn@bozeman.net Page 1 of 3 Date: May 14th, 2025 City of Bozeman 121 N Rouse Ave, Bozeman, MT 59715 comments@bozeman.net RE: Request for Action: Parking Controls and Process Transparency for Flanders Mill Neighborhood Dear City Commission, City Manager Winn, and City Staff, I’m writing as a resident of the Flanders Mill neighborhood to formally request clarity on the procedural process for establishing residential parking controls and to ask the City to initiate the steps outlined in Bozeman Municipal Code Section 36.04.330 to create a Residential Parking Permit Area. On July 22, 2024, a Resolution of Intent was submitted to the City Clerk to address ongoing congestion and growing safety concerns due to overflow parking from Gallatin High School. I attended and spoke during the September 25, 2024 Transportation Board meeting, introducing these concerns on behalf of the neighborhood, particularly following the closure of the Oak and Flanders Mill intersection, which significantly increased cut-through traffic from a principal arterial onto our local residential streets. Since then, I’ve partnered with neighbors to document access issues, track occupancy trends, and engage directly with City staff. While those efforts were initially met with constructive dialogue, the process now appears stalled, with no formal response in weeks, no occupancy inventory completed, and continued uncertainty around next steps. Request for Procedural Clarity: I respectfully ask the City to confirm: •Whether an occupancy study is procedurally required by ordinance before proceeding to a public hearing or Commission action; •Whether the Resolution of Intent is sufficient to initiate a formal hearing under Sec. 36.04.330; •What specific steps residents must take to formally move this request forward under current policy. If a parking inventory is required, I am happy to share the resident-collected data gathered throughout the school year—particularly during the winter and spring months, when student parking increases as more sophomores (who are not eligible for on-campus parking) obtain their driver’s licenses. Neighborhood Alignment with Ordinance Criteria: Per Section 36.04.330(A) of the Bozeman Municipal Code, the City Commission may create residential parking permit areas after a public hearing if the following conditions are met: 1.The area is predominantly residential; 2.Streets are regularly congested with non-resident vehicles; 3.Parking limits would better serve residents’ needs. Our neighborhood clearly meets all three criteria. Additionally, the ordinance supports implementation when a parking district would further any of the following objectives: •Reducing traffic hazards •Promoting tranquility among residents •Reducing noise and litter We are experiencing: •Obstructed emergency access routes •Blocked fire hydrants and driveways Page 2 of 3 •Delayed garbage and delivery services •Unsafe pedestrian conditions near Diamond Park and Safe Routes to School for Meadowlark Elementary students •Vandalism at Diamond Park and to private property These conditions are public safety issues and directly support the need for parking controls, consistent with the intent of the ordinance. Need for Timely Action: We understand the City anticipates completing the new student parking lot at Oak and Cottonwood next fall. However, we request that this infrastructure investment be concurrently implemented with a residential parking program in Flanders Mill to ensure both are effective. Choosing to “wait and see” whether the new lot resolves these issues will only extend life safety risks and service disruptions. Without restrictions in place, students will understandably continue choosing the most convenient option—which is street parking in residential neighborhoods rather than using the new lot and crossing the proposed bridge. Bozeman High School and MSU already benefit from established parking districts. We respectfully request equal protection and a transparent, timely process to address this issue before the 2025–2026 school year begins. I respectfully request the City Commission: •Clarify the formal process and requirements under Sec. 36.04.330 •Consider initiating the public hearing process to establish a Residential Parking Permit Area for the affected streets •Act before the start of the 2025–2026 school year to ensure safety, access, and the effectiveness of public infrastructure investments at the Sports Park. This request is not simply about neighborhood convenience, it’s about establishing necessary traffic protections to support the health, safety, and welfare of students, parents, and residents in this impactful area. With young children walking to school, public park access, and increased daily traffic from Gallatin High, we must treat this as a matter of responsible planning. The tools already exist in the City’s ordinance to proactively address these issues. Let’s use them now to implement an effective and safer solution. Thank you for your time, your service, and your commitment to thoughtful city planning. I remain available to share neighborhood data, photos, and community feedback to support this effort. Sincerely, Courtney Johnson 991 Auger Lane courtney.johnson.mt@gmail.com 406-579-0582 Attachments: 240722 Resolution of Intent submitted to City Clerk Mike Mass 240925 Bozeman Transportation Board Meeting Minutes.pdf Reference Ordinance: Sec. 36.04.330. - Procedure for the establishment of a residential on- street parking permit regulation program. Page 3 of 3 Cc: •Public Comment – City Commission: comments@bozeman.net •City Attorney Greg Sullivan – gsullivan@bozeman.net •Parking Manager Nicholas Focken – nfocken@bozeman.net •Transportation & Engineering Director Nicholas Ross – nross@bozeman.net •City Manager Chuck Winn – cwinn@bozeman.net Bozeman Transportation Board Meeting Minutes, September 25, 2024 Page 1 of 3 THE TRANSPORTATION BOARD MEETING OF BOZEMAN, MONTANA MINUTES September 25, 2024 A)00:07:08 Call to Order - 6:00 PM Present: Shannon Mahoney, Kelly Pohl, Rio Roland, Hayden Glines Absent: None Excused: Bryce Gordon, Courtney Oyler, Paul Reichert B)00:07:19 Disclosures There were no disclosures. C)00:07:24 Changes to the Agenda 00:07:44 Motion to approve the absences of Paul Reichert, Bryce Gordan and Courtney Oyler. Hayden Glines: Motion Rio Roland: 2nd 00:07:47 Vote on the Motion to approve the absences of Paul Reichert, Bryce Gordan and Courtney Oyler. The Motion carried 4 - 0. Approve: Shannon Mahoney Kelly Pohl Rio Roland Hayden Glines Disapprove: None Bozeman Transportation Board Meeting Minutes, September 25, 2024 Page 2 of 3 D) 00:07:56 Approval of Minutes D.1 I move to approve the August 28, 2024, Transportation Board Meeting Minutes 082824 Transportation Board Meeting Minutes 00:08:03 Motion to approve the August 28,2024 Transportation Board Meeting Minutes. Hayden Glines: Motion Rio Roland: 2nd 00:08:14 Vote on the Motion to approve the August 28,2024 Transportation Board Meeting Minutes. The Motion carried 4 - 0. Approve: Shannon Mahoney Kelly Pohl Rio Roland Hayden Glines Disapprove: None E) 00:08:32 Public Comments on Non-agenda Items Falling within the Purview and Jurisdiction of the Board There was no public comment. 00:09:55 Director of Transportation and Engineering, Nicholas Ross provided the board with staff updates and transportation related items. F) 00:16:20 Special Presentations F.1 Gallatin Valley Urban Transportation District Meet 'n Greet 00:16:34 Staff Presentation Mark Egge, The Gallatin Valley UTD Chair, presented the Gallatin Valley Urban Transportation District to the board. 00:33:07 Questions of Staff 00:46:41 Public Comment There was no public comment. G) 00:47:20 FYI/Discussion G.1 00:48:04 Work session for Gallatin High School parking district. GHS District.pptx Bozeman Transportation Board Meeting Minutes, September 25, 2024 Page 3 of 3 Director of Transportation and Engineering, Nicholas Ross introduced Nicholas Focken, the City of Bozeman Parking Manager, and the Work session for the Gallatin High School Parking District. 00:51:20 Staff Presentation Nicholas Focken presented the work session for Gallatin High School Parking District to the board. 00:56:08 Public Comment 00:56:40 Courtney Johnson, Public Comment Cortney Johnson commented on the proposed Gallatin High parking district with the focus of safety and speed limits. 00:59:53 Colin Daniel, Public Comment Colin Daniel commented on the proposed Gallatin High parking district pricing, the boundaries of the district and speed limits. 01:03:03 Emily Talago, Public Comment Emily Talago commented that she came to learn more about what the process is to manage parking and how to better manage all the parking district. 01:06:30 Kathy Powell, Public Comment Kathy Powell commented on the proposed parking districts funding, permit fees and fines associated with the district. 01:09:56 Mark Egge, Public Comment Mark Egge commented on the proposed Gallatin High parking district safety concerns, boundaries, and the policy approach. 01:12:46 Update and clarification from the Director of Transportation and Engineering, Nicholas Ross. 01:15:58 Questions of the Board 01:44:42 Discussion from the board. 01:54:43 Recap from Director Ross to the board. H) 01:57:14 Adjournment This board generally meets the fourth Wednesday of the month from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. July 22, 2024 Submitted To: City of Bozeman – City Clerk and Bozeman Parking Commission From: Courtney Johnson, 991 Auger Lane, Bozeman, MT 59718 Subject: Proposed Resolution of Intent to Establish Parking Beneflt Zone - Gallatin High School Request: The Parking Commission to review and adopt the proposed resolution to establish a parking beneflt zone per UDC 36.04.603 for the Gallatin High School Area. The city commission hereby confers upon and delegates to the parking commission the authority to manage parking within a parking management district Project Description: Proposal for the creation of a Parking Beneflt Zone around Gallatin High School to address the daily and event-driven parking challenges impacting the surrounding community. Project Location: Gallatin High School, located at 4455 Annie St, Bozeman, MT 59718. The proposed zone encompasses surrounding local neighborhoods heavily impacted by parking overfiow. 1. Introduction: This proposal advocates for the establishment of a Parking Beneflt Zone (PBZ) around Gallatin High School to address both daily and event-driven parking challenges impacting the surrounding community. This initiative is critically needed as the current parking provisions at Gallatin High School are insufficient to meet the needs of students and staff, leading to overfiow into adjacent neighborhoods and altering traffic patterns. The proximity to Meadowlark Elementary School further underscores the critical safety needs in this area. The PBZ aims to foster a partnership between the high school and residents, reduce noise and traffic hazards, minimize litter, and ensure safety for both elementary and high school students in a busy vehicular area. The necessity for this PBZ was highlighted during the initial planning phases, as the district acknowledged potential parking deflciencies. These issues are detailed in the High School Site Plan Application Agency Exemptions (Application 18085, Meeting Date: May 7, 2018). This initiative aligns with the municipal code’s directive in Division 3 – Parking Management Districts / Beneflt Zones, Sec. 36.04.601 of the Bozeman Municipal Code: “A parking benefit zone is an area of land within an established parking management district wherein the parking commission may establish parking regulations on publicly owned land and on public rights-of- way and streets for the benefit of the community.” 2. Justification: Daily operations at Gallatin High School consistently lead to parking overflow onto adjacent streets, underscoring the inadequacy of the initial parking provisions. A total of 775 parking stalls are provided on-site for a student body of 1,500 (not accounting for staff needs). Initially, the parking issue was not prominent as the school was not fully occupied by all grades. However, as the school reached full capacity with all grades (9th-12th), the parking deficiencies became more evident. Additionally, the planned shared parking facilities with the City’s Sports Park, intended to add about 300 stalls, remain unbuilt. This deficiency is noted in the High School Site Plan Application Agency Exemptions: "Sec. 38.25.040 Zoning designations do not permit off-site parking for commercial parking use, including PLI zoning. There will be one to two events per year that the High School would require parking beyond those provided on-site, the calculation takes into account that attendees will park on adjacent local streets (Flanders Mill and Annie)." (Application 18085, Meeting Date: May 7, 2018) Timeline of Events: • November 13, 2017 - New Bozeman High School Informal Review: Review of Application 17459, discussing the proposed construction of the second Bozeman High School, including parking provisions and the need for a shared use agreement with the City’s Sports Park. • May 7, 2018 - High School Site Plan Application Agency Exemptions: Review of Application 18085, where the district acknowledged potential parking deficiencies and sought exemptions for off-site parking for event parking only. This included plans for shared use parking with the City’s Sports Park and the need for pedestrian infrastructure like bridges or tunnels. 3. Initial Planning Phase Parking Deficiency: The significant parking challenges at Gallatin High School were first recognized during the initial planning phase in 2018. The school was designed to accommodate 1,500 students but was only allocated 775 parking spaces. a. Parking Provisions and Exemptions: Noted in the "High School Site Plan Application Agency Exemptions" were specific exemptions sought under Section 38.25.040 of the Unified Development Code to address the insufficiency of on-site parking by facilitating overflow on adjacent streets during peak events. b. Proposed Shared Use of the City’s Sports Park: The development plans included a shared parking agreement to provide an additional 300 parking stalls. This arrangement was part of the broader discussions in the "New Bozeman High School Informal Review" (Application 17459, Meeting Date: November 13, 2017), which noted that the shared use agreement would need to be completed prior to the approval of the Sports Park Master Plan amendment. The necessity for safe pedestrian crossings over Oak Street, a significant cost not covered in the initial construction phases, was also discussed but not funded. c. Initial Planning Deficits: The initial parking management strategies for Gallatin High School, which included strategic exemptions and innovative shared use plans, were designed to meet the needs of a growing student population. However, delays and changes in the execution of these plans, particularly regarding pedestrian infrastructure, have necessitated a revision and adaptation of parking strategies to meet current and future needs. 4. Proposed Zone Details and Management Strategy: The proposed PBZ will encompass areas immediately surrounding Gallatin High School, particularly targeting local neighborhoods heavily impacted by daily parking overflow. Initial exemptions were only noted for events, not for daily overflow parking needs. The development of this zone would adapt to the reality that shared parking facilities have not yet been developed, necessitating a reliance on existing infrastructure beyond initial planning exemptions. Safety and Management - Parking Benefit Zone Regulations: a. Daily Parking Management: Implement regulated parking within the designated zone to effectively manage overflow needs. b. Permit System: Introduce a permit system for off-site residential areas that prioritizes local residents. c. Enforcement and Monitoring: Strengthen enforcement of parking regulations to ensure compliance and assess the effectiveness of the measures on an ongoing basis. d. Enhanced Pedestrian Safety Measures: Install traffic calming devices and improve pedestrian crossings to ensure safety amid increased pedestrian and vehicle movement, especially surrounding Meadowlark Elementary and pedestrian pathways. e. Clear and Informative Signage: Deploy signage that directs drivers to designated parking areas and informs them of new parking regulations. 7. Comparative Analysis and Compliance Considerations: Refiect on the experiences from other schools or districts that have faced similar challenges, adapting successful strategies to flt the local context and regulatory framework. Both Bozeman High School and Montana State University have established Parking Beneflt Zones. 8. Conclusion: The establishment of a Parking Beneflt Zone (PBZ) around Gallatin High School is a critical response to the observed and anticipated parking challenges that have signiflcant impacts on both the school community and the surrounding residential areas. This proactive measure is not merely a solution to the current insufficiencies but also a strategic approach to futureprooflng the area against increased vehicle and pedestrian traffic as the school reaches its full capacity. The need for such a zone has been underscored by past planning phases, which acknowledged the parking deflcits and proposed solutions that have yet to be fully implemented, including shared use agreements and necessary pedestrian infrastructure. Through the creation of the PBZ, Gallatin High School and the adjacent community will beneflt from a managed and regulated parking system that accommodates daily needs and special events, thereby enhancing safety, reducing congestion, and improving the overall quality of life for students, staff, and residents. This initiative aligns with city ordinances and has been developed with considerable foresight, refiecting a commitment to maintaining a balance between educational needs and community welfare. Ultimately, by addressing these challenges head-on with a well-structured parking management strategy, the city can ensure that the educational institutions function optimally without adversely affecting the local community. This will not only resolve current issues but also set a precedent for handling similar challenges in other areas of the city, promoting sustainable and community-focused urban planning. 9. Review Process per Sec. 36.04.603. - Parking benefit zones/creation/dissolution/parking commission authority: a. Adopt Resolution of Intent: The Parking Commission may adopt a resolution of intent to establish the Parking Beneflt Zone. This step initiates the official process. b. Notify Property Owners and Residents c. Post Public Hearing Notices d. Conduct Public Hearing: Host a public hearing to discuss the proposal, gather community input, and address concerns. Collect any written protests from residents during this time. e. Evaluate Protests and Feedback: Assess any protests received. f. Finalize and Adopt Resolution: If protests are insufficient and community feedback has been considered, flnalize and adopt the resolution to establish or amend the Parking Beneflt Zone. The resolution takes effect 30 days after adoption. g. Implement and Monitor: Begin implementation of the zone, including enforcement and permit issuance. Continuously monitor the effectiveness and make adjustments based on ongoing feedback. Reference Code Sections - DIVISION 3. - PARK MANAGEMENT DISTRICTS/BENEFIT ZONES - Sec. 36.04.601. - Parking management districts/purpose/boundaries. - Sec. 36.04.603. - Parking beneflt zones/creation/dissolution/parking commission authority. - Sec. 36.04.604. - Parking beneflt zone regulations. - Sec. 36.04.330. - Procedure for the establishment of a residential on-street parking permit regulation program. - Sec. 36.04.350. - Residential parking permits. - Sec. 36.04.365. - Bozeman Senior High School Residential On-Street Parking Permit Regulation Program. - Sec. 36.04.360. - Montana State University Residential On-Street Parking Permit Regulation Program. Attachment(s): 1. BHS Residential Parking District Map (for reference) 2. Proposed GHS Residential Parking District Map 3. Notice Addresses 4. (Draft for Review) Sec. 36.04.366. - Gallatin High School Residential On-Street Parking Permit Regulation Program.