HomeMy WebLinkAbout8.0 108 West Babcock Departure Request - W Babcock St sidewalk
102 N Broadway, Bozeman, MT 59715 (406) 587.1997 Fax (406) 587.0311
2024.08.26
Bozeman Planning Division
20 E Olive Street
Bozeman, MT 59715
Re: 108 West Babcock St – Site Plan Application No. 8249
Departure Request from Storefront Block Frontage Standards 38.510.030.B
‐ West Babcock Street Sidewalk Width
Dear Planning Staff:
This letter serves as a request for a departure from the Bozeman UDC Section 38.510.030 – Block Frontage
Standards Table 38.510.030.B which states that 12 feet minimum between curb edge and storefront (area
includes clear/buffer zone with street trees). The site plan Sheet C1.1 shows that there is a proposed
sidewalk width of 10’‐0” along West Babcock Street which does not meet the minimum width
requirement of 12’‐0”. Below is a discussion of the present and future site conditions per Section
38.510.030.B of the UDC addressing this deviation request.
There is currently a 2200 square feet two story unoccupied building on the property, which was most
recently used to house a multidisciplinary Engineering firm (IMEG). The current sidewalk along West
Babcock is 7’‐0” in width and contains no street trees or site lighting.
The proposed redevelopment would include the demolition of the existing structure, new construction of
a four‐story multi‐use building with commercial space and residential entry/lobby on the ground floor,
commercial space on the second floor, and two residential units per floor on the third and fourth floors –
15,000 square feet total building area, along with associated site improvements. Access to the property is
via the alley to the West.
By redeveloping the property, and with the required parking (both off street and on street parking), and
due the property’s narrow overall width, we are proposing to reduce the required sidewalk width of 12’‐
0” to 10’‐0”. The required street trees and sidewalk lighting will still be met. The covered building entrance
courtyard visually reflects a greater width while providing an inviting architectural introduction to the
street corner and building.
The Landscaping Buffer between the street and the off‐street parking includes a series of concrete
site/landscape walls broken by steel planters containing trees which create a vertical visual barrier
complementing the nearby street trees. This landscaped area also contains extensively planted ground
cover adding a vibrant layer of a visually changing and contrasting nature. There are a series of public
benches integrated into the site wall design, recognizing public interaction and providing a safe and
comfortable pedestrian path.