HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-19-25 Public Comment - A. Kociolek - UDC-related public comment for May 20 work session [Centennial Park Neighborhood & Bon Ton District]From:Angela Kociolek
To:Bozeman Public Comment; Erin George; Terry Cunningham; Joey Morrison; Jennifer Madgic; Douglas Fischer;Emma Bode
Subject:[EXTERNAL]UDC-related public comment for May 20 work session [Centennial Park Neighborhood & Bon Ton
District]
Date:Monday, May 19, 2025 1:59:07 PM
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May 19, 2025
Dear Mayor Cunningham, Deputy Mayor Morrison, Commissioner Madgic,Commissioner Fischer, Commissioner Bode, and Community Development Director
George —
I’m currently the InterNeighborhood Council (INC) Representative for the NortheastNeighborhood Association (NENA). However, I am submitting this written comment as a
co-author of “Centennial Park Neighborhood Conservation in Action: A Resident-ledProposal.”
First, a note of thanks to each of you and all City staff for following through on the Unified
Development Code (UDC) Supplemental Engagement Effort. You kept us on our toesattending open houses and round table discussions, taking surveys and deep dives,
hosting community chats, and making public comments. I believe any resident who hadan interest in the UDC had ample opportunity to become engaged. I also appreciate the
clarity with which Community Development Director (CDD) George encouraged thesubmission of zoning change proposals as part of the citywide UDC Update and as an
alternative to the Zone Map/Text Amendment process.
In anticipation of the Commission’s first UDC work session tomorrow, May 20, I’d like tobring your attention to Addendum A (to our original proposal submission). The
Centennial Park Neighborhood (CPN) authors drafted this additional document in directresponse to feedback received from CDD Planner Chris Saunders. Addendum A
includes substantive excerpts and examples of how the CPN proposal aligns with boththe Montana Code Annotated (MCA) 2023 and Bozeman Community Plan (BCP) 2020.
In Addendum A, we list five housing strategies to be in compliance with MCA 76-25-
301/302. CPN authors believe these strategies apply not only to our ~ 3x5 block zonedparcel, but also to the City of Bozeman as a whole. It was heartening to see that our
selected strategies are a strong match with those of the City, as discussed at the CityCommission meeting back on February 4. Additionally, per 76-25-304, our proposal 1)
accommodates projected needed housing types while 2) providing for adequate publicservices and 3) arguably reducing the burden on public safety and transportation and 4)
minimizes impacts to and seeks to protect natural resources (ie., mature vegetation andsolar access).
Also in Addendum A, we provide a comprehensive review of how our proposal is in
accordance with BCP 2020. In brief, the CPN proposal is in direct alignment with threethemes (Theme 1: A Resilient City, Theme 2: A City of Unique Neighborhoods, and
Theme 4: A City Influenced by our Natural Environment, Parks and Open Lands) and noless than 25 of the goals in our growth/land use policy.
Thank you again for encouraging residents not only to become engaged in the UDCUpdate but to step up in a proactive and visionary way. By giving us this opportunity, you
have inspired us in the Centennial Park subarea of NENA and the Bon Ton District. Byallowing proposals such as ours within the context of the UDC Update, you have
effectively reframed how well-organized neighbors can protect what they love abouttheir neighborhoods without having to be in an adversarial or defensive posture. Indeed,
this journey towards rezoning has made us, Centennial Park area neighbors, clearer onwhat it is that we value about our natural and built environment and a more connected
sub-community of Bozeman.
Thank you to CDD for your guidance. We now ask you, the Commission, to followthrough by providing unequivocal staff direction to help the Centennial and Bon Ton R-A
proposals become a reality.
Sincerely,
Angie Kociolek
620 N Tracy Ave
Bozeman, MT 59715