HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-20-25 Public Comment - A. Craighead - UDC and bon ton and centennial housing districtFrom:April Craighead
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]UDC and bon ton and centennial housing district
Date:Tuesday, May 20, 2025 9:44:19 AM
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Dear Mayor and City Commissioners,
I would like to make some comments to go on the record prior to this evenings meeting regarding the
UDC and changes to zoning within the Bon Ton Historic district and Centennial housing district.
I just have a few comments, regarding the UDC I strongly recommend that the city hire an urban
ecologist to help with tree and landscape issues in potential subdivisions. Such expertise would
allow existing parcels to retain the maximum amount of natural landscaping and protect our urban
forest (which is an important goal for the city).
Secondly, I think that the city, though the UDC if appropriate, should implement ordinances of dark
skies and put forth an effort to minimize light pollution especially at night. New lighting should follow
guidelines such as the dark skies initiative https://darksky.org/resources/what-is-light-
pollution/light-pollution-solutions/lighting/
Finally, I think that both the Bon Ton and Centennial housing districts should be rezoned to R-A and
not be reserved for R-4 which they currently zoned as. Both of these areas are close to historic
districts downtown and on the south side of Bozeman near Willson. Currently both of these
neighborhoods have a mix of single family homes and some small apartment buildings, which aligns
with the current Neighborhood Overlay Conservation District (NCOD). Being able to build R-4
structures is out of character with the neighborhood and will exacerbate parking issues and probably
decrease housing values. These are highly sought after neighborhoods as they are today and won’t be
if large R-4 style apartments are suddenly thrown in.
Thank you,
April Craighead
1134 Holly Dr.
Bozeman
April Craighead
Executive Director
Wildlife Biologist
Craighead Institute
201 So. Wallace Ave
Suite B2D
Bozeman, MT. 59715
406 585-8705
april@craigheadinstitute.org