HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-19-25 Public Comment - J. Davis - Re_ I.1 Review and Consider the Boutique HotelFrom:Jack Davis
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Re: I.1 Review and Consider the Boutique Hotel
Date:Sunday, May 18, 2025 8:30:19 PM
Attachments:Review and Consider the Boutique Hotel.docx
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The City Commission of Bozeman, Montana
May 18, 2025
Re: I.1 Review and Consider the Boutique Hotel
My wife and I are writing in concern about Matt Paine’s application to build the Boutique Hotel in
downtown Bozeman. She was born and raised in Bozeman and I have lived here for 50 years. The
reason Bozeman has been such a charming and well received town over the years is not because of
its high rise buildings. The high rise condos and hotels were constructed so out-of-town developers
could “make a buck off of Bozeman.” They were planned and constructed to make money for the
developers and not to enhance and improve the ambience and charm of the town. One example of
this disrespect for Bozeman’s notable neighborhoods is the Guthrie Building. What an absolute
shame! There are many more examples.
The proposed building site for the Boutique Hotel is too small for a project this large. The Bozeman
Creek flows adjacent to the building site. What are the consequences not if, but when, this creek
floods? Where are all the vehicles that will be associated with this project going to park? The city
needs to step back and re-evaluate the consequences of this project. There are too many possible
problems related to this ill-conceived project.
You need to take into consideration Matt Paine’s 6-Range Project located at the intersection of West
Babcock and North Ferguson. A permit for this project was approved by the Bozeman City
Commission more than 3 years ago. This development that was approved has been abandoned and
now sits in limbo on 8-plus acres. It is a visual eyesore and a safety liability.
Like the Boutique Hotel, the 6-Range Project should have never been approved by the city
commission from its inception. The high-rise buildings proposed for that location are totally out of
character with the one- and two-story surrounding neighborhoods. The City Commission of
Bozeman should start over with their permitting processes and demand that all projects conform,
comply and blend in with the characteristics of the surrounding neighborhoods. Neighborhoods
have character because the buildings complement and enhance each other. Your in-fill and scatter-
gun approach to buildings are just willy nilly and give Bozeman a hodge podge appearance of no
“planning” at all.
How many high rise hotels can Bozeman support? How many high rise buildings can be built in
Bozeman before the town loses its appeal and charm? This is not the same quaint and charming
town that it once was before all the high rise buildings were constructed. How many members of the
City Commission of Bozeman were born and raised in Bozeman like Susan, my wife? She, and the
people she grew up with, are all disgusted and sickened with all the high rise buildings this
commission has approved over the past few years.
The City Commission of Bozeman should require that any and all building projects they approve
should be required to have a performance bond. That would insure that no developer, including the
Paine Group, could walk away and abandon a project. Proposed developments that are authorized
by the commission would have to be completed within the time frame of the original agreement.
We oppose the Boutique Hotel development. We also oppose the 6-Range Project that has been
abandoned inside the city limits by the Paine Group. The “Gold Rush” of “Building Bozeman” is
totally out of hand! By giving the builders special concessions, you have essentially eliminated
Bozeman’s parking availability. Now, our access to water is in jeopardy for the future with this total
unrestrained viewpoint of “Build Bozeman for Big Profits.”
If any of you commissioners lived next to one of these abomination high rise buildings, you would
change your tune, especially when you can’t find a place to park in front of your own house. Please
do not approve the Boutique Hotel. Whatever you decide to do regarding the Boutique Hotel at least
require the Paine Group to clean up their mess at the 6-Range Project they abandoned within the
city limits.
Thank you for your time and consideration,
Jack and Susan Davis
247 Mill Creek Drive
Bozeman, MT 59718
wonderland@montana.com
Cell – 406-581-1901
The City Commission of Bozeman, Montana
May 18, 2025
Re: I.1 Review and Consider the Boutique Hotel
My wife and I are writing in concern about Matt Paine’s application to build the Boutique Hotel
in downtown Bozeman. She was born and raised in Bozeman and I have lived here for 50 years.
The reason Bozeman has been such a charming and well received town over the years is not
because of its high rise buildings. The high rise condos and hotels were constructed so out-of-
town developers could “make a buck off of Bozeman.” They were planned and constructed to
make money for the developers and not to enhance and improve the ambience and charm of
the town. One example of this disrespect for Bozeman’s notable neighborhoods is the Guthrie
Building. What an absolute shame! There are many more examples.
The proposed building site for the Boutique Hotel is too small for a project this large. The
Bozeman Creek flows adjacent to the building site. What are the consequences not if, but when,
this creek floods? Where are all the vehicles that will be associated with this project going to
park? The city needs to step back and re-evaluate the consequences of this project. There are
too many possible problems related to this ill-conceived project.
You need to take into consideration Matt Paine’s 6-Range Project located at the intersection of
West Babcock and North Ferguson. A permit for this project was approved by the Bozeman City
Commission more than 3 years ago. This development that was approved has been abandoned
and now sits in limbo on 8-plus acres. It is a visual eyesore and a safety liability.
Like the Boutique Hotel, the 6-Range Project should have never been approved by the city
commission from its inception. The high-rise buildings proposed for that location are totally out
of character with the one- and two-story surrounding neighborhoods. The City Commission of
Bozeman should start over with their permitting processes and demand that all projects
conform, comply and blend in with the characteristics of the surrounding neighborhoods.
Neighborhoods have character because the buildings complement and enhance each other.
Your in-fill and scatter-gun approach to buildings are just willy nilly and give Bozeman a hodge
podge appearance of no “planning” at all.
How many high rise hotels can Bozeman support? How many high rise buildings can be built in
Bozeman before the town loses its appeal and charm? This is not the same quaint and charming
town that it once was before all the high rise buildings were constructed. How many members
of the City Commission of Bozeman were born and raised in Bozeman like Susan, my wife? She,
and the people she grew up with, are all disgusted and sickened with all the high rise buildings
this commission has approved over the past few years.
The City Commission of Bozeman should require that any and all building projects they approve
should be required to have a performance bond. That would insure that no developer, including
the Paine Group, could walk away and abandon a project. Proposed developments that are
authorized by the commission would have to be completed within the time frame of the original
agreement.
We oppose the Boutique Hotel development. We also oppose the 6-Range Project that has
been abandoned inside the city limits by the Paine Group. The “Gold Rush” of “Building
Bozeman” is totally out of hand! By giving the builders special concessions, you have essentially
eliminated Bozeman’s parking availability. Now, our access to water is in jeopardy for the future
with this total unrestrained viewpoint of “Build Bozeman for Big Profits.”
If any of you commissioners lived next to one of these abomination high rise buildings, you
would change your tune, especially when you can’t find a place to park in front of your own
house. Please do not approve the Boutique Hotel. Whatever you decide to do regarding the
Boutique Hotel at least require the Paine Group to clean up their mess at the 6-Range Project
they abandoned within the city limits.
Thank you for your time and consideration,
Jack and Susan Davis
247 Mill Creek Drive
Bozeman, MT 59718
wonderland@montana.com
Cell – 406-581-1901