HomeMy WebLinkAbout026 - Appendix S - Depature NarrativeJanuary 2025 Meadow Bridge Departure Request | 1
Meadow Bridge
Preliminary Plat Application
Departure Request
06.03.2025
Project Overview
Meadow Bridge (the “Neighborhood” or the “Property”) is an approximately 27-acre property
surrounded by the cross streets Parkway Avenue, Last Loop Drive, Blackwood Road, South 23rd Avenue
and is bisected by Kurk Drive. This project will further divide one parcel (totaling approximately 25.34
acres) into 45 buildable lots (8.53 acres), 1 park lot (3.46 acres), 2 open space lots (10.13 acres) and road
Rights-of-Ways (3.22 acres). There have been several Pre-Application calls and a formal Subdivision Pre-
application to discuss this project.
The applicant is requesting one departure to the City of Bozeman Landscape and Irrigation Performance
and Design Standards Manual under BMC 38.550.060. The requested departure is in Section 1.4
Departures. Specifically, the Established Vegetation Preservation departure to preserve trees on site to
meet the tree planting requirements of the City of Bozeman Landscape and Irrigation Performance and
Design Standards Manual.
During discussions with city staff and throughout the ongoing design process, became clear that the new
landscaping coverage requirements, particularly regarding landscaping and irrigation within open
spaces, conflicted with the core principles of water conservation. It was concluded that an established
vegetation departure, reducing the area needing new landscaping, would be in the best interest of both
the city and the applicant. This approach would allow for a more water-efficient landscape design in
these open spaces, one that better preserves their natural state. This would also be in keeping with the
ethos of the neighborhood and the City’s water conservation goals. This document, along with the
attached materials, outlines the reasoning and justification for this departure.
Response to Departure Criteria
1. The existing vegetation is healthy;
a. Note: For the preservation of existing trees, an International Society of Arboriculture
(ISA) certified arborist must determine that the tree(s) proposed to be preserved on
site are healthy.
Response: It is the opinion of our professional Landscape Architect, based on a site visit and
review of reference images, that the existing vegetation on the site appears healthy and can be
preserved.
2. The existing vegetation does not contain noxious or invasive plants;
Response: The Weed Management Plan (included as separate appendices) documents the
noxious weeds onsite and identifies a plan to remediate them.
June 2025 Meadow Bridge Departure Request | 2
3. The existing vegetation has a high chance of survival after project completion;
Response: The existing vegetation has a high chance of survival as there are limited to no
construction activities in the vicinity.
4. The existing vegetation will be appropriately protected during project construction; and
Response: Appropriate construction measures will be taken into account to ensure that the
existing vegetation is protected. Additionally, the wetland area associated with the intermittent
stream will be subject to a monitoring plan to ensure the success of both the wetland and the
existing vegetation.
5. New irrigation is not necessary to support the established vegetation.
Response: No irrigation is necessary to support the established vegetation.