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Home My WebLink About06-16-25 Public Comment - J. Cleveland & L. Jones - Application 24570From:Joe Cleveland To:Bozeman Public Comment Cc:Joe Cleveland; Lisa Jones Subject:[EXTERNAL]Application 24570 Date:Monday, June 16, 2025 1:13:12 PM Attachments:Annexation Protest signed.pdf CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Hello Mr. Tom Rogers and others concerned, I am attaching my protest to the application #24570 for the annexation and zone map amendment application for 5211 Baxter Lane that is being heard this evening, June 16, 2025. By reading the agenda of tonights meeting, it already seems you have made up your mind to consider the R5 and R3 zoning changes to the property and not consider any of the protests submitted. With the focus of the city to almost exclusively focus on higher density developments to the East, South, West, center of town, North and Northwest, you have lost track of what actually helps affordability of single family homes…MORE SINGLE FAMILY HOMES! There are so many pockets of higher density zoning in recent years that have not completed build out, now your main focus is to continuously focus only on density. How has this density impacted single family home prices? They have only gone up. Why? There is NO supply. Simple economics. Density works in areas, however it does not work or gel well in all areas. This area in focus does not make sense in many different ways and the fact you are already willing to accept it, is irresponsible. Giving a home owner a couple weeks to consider all their options to do research is not enough time and then to state there is no public comment, is not even stating the facts. One would hope the citizens of Bozeman would have the support of their officials to do what’s best for Bozeman. Without listening to all impacted neighbors, it’s clear the city’s agenda. The homeowners will just need to do what they need to do to help prevent the progress, so it seems. Please find attached my protest to the subject application #24570. Regards, Joe Cleveland & Lisa Jones Joe Cleveland & Lisa Jones 2463 Thoroughbred Lane Bozeman, MT 59718 June 16, 2025 Bozeman City Commission 121 N. Rouse Ave Bozeman, MT 59715 RE: Formal Protest of Annexation and Zone Map Amendment Application #24570 (521.1 Baxter L1ne) Dear Bozeman City Commissioners and Planning Department, We, the undersigned homeowners of 2463 Thoroughbred Lane, respectfully submit this letter in formal protest of Annexation and Zone Map Amendment Application #24570 for 521 l Baxter Lane. We urge the City Commission to deny or delay approval of this application due to significant concerns related 10 ecological degradation, unsustainable infrastructure burdens, public safety risks, and detrimental long-term community impacts. 1.Ecological Impact.: Nesting & Migratory Habitat of Sandhill Cranes and Associated Wildlife The parcel at 521 I Baxter Lane lies within a critical habitat corridor not only for Greater Sandhill Cranes (Antigone canadensis tabida) but also for a diverse array of native wildlife species. This area provides essential habitat for nesting, foraging, and migratory stopovers for multiple species integral to the ecological fabric of Gallatin Valley. Sandhill cranes are ground neslers, selecting wetlands, marsh edges, and flooded agricultural fields along the Baxter Creek watershed to build nests, rear chicks, and stage for their long migratory flights. These nesting pairs return to tbis precise area annually, making this one of the last remaining viable breeding habitats for the species in western Gallatin County. Furthermore, this corridor supports a broad range of other wildlife, including: -Raptors such as hawks and bald eagles, which rely on the riparian corridors for bunting andnesting.-Waterfowl including ducks and geese, dependent on wetlands and ponds for seasonal nestingand migratory staging. -Manunals such as bobcats and coyotes, using the riparian edges and agricultural fields for hunting and denning. -White-tailed and mule deer, which forage and move seasonally across this land. High-density development on this parcel would destroy active nesting sites, fragment essential wildlife corridors, and irreparably damage the ecological balance of this sensitive region. Once these habitats are lost, they cannot be recreated or mitigated. No annexation or zoning amendment should proceed without a comprehensive, independent biological assessment, specifically addressing both avian nesting populations and the presence of mammalian, aquatic, and raptor species that depend on this corridor for survival. 2.Infrastructure Strain: Sewer Lift Stations, Water Capacity, and StormwaterManagement Annexation and development of this parcel would place unsustainable burdens on Bozcman's infrastructure, including: •The necessity for permanent lift stations to manage wastewater, creating long-tem1 operationaland maintenance costs for Bozeman residents.•Significant increases in water demand on a system already strained by growth pressures and recurring drought cycles. •Stormwater runoff challenges, particularly due to limited drainage capacity in this area,increasing risks of flooding, erosion, and water contamination downstream. Without dedicated infrastructure funding and planning commitments, existing residents will ultimately bear the financial burden for supporting speculative high-density development. 3.Public Safety Risks: Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Adding dense residential housing lo this location would further strain Bozeman's already understaffed police and emergency services. Increasing call volumes, traflic incidents. and general service needs will likely lead to reduced emerge11cy response times for both new and existing residents. Public safety capacity must be addressed before further dense development is approved. 4.Community Impact: RS Zoning Incompatible• Only RI or Larger-Lot (Horse Property) Zoning Appropriate We wish to emphasize in the strongest possible terms that RS zoning is entirely inappropriate for this location. The surrounding Baxter Lane area is rural in character, with low-density residential, agricultural parcels, and large horse-property-type lols. We believe that no zoning denser than RI should be considered, and that the preferred path for this corridor is larger-lot, horse-property-style zoning. Such zoning would: •Provide a responsible growth pattern that respects community character and property owner expectations. •Preserve open space corridors critical to wildlife migration, particularly for sandltill cranes andassociated species. -Support attainable homeownership opportunities for local families seeking rural living withproximity to Bozeman amenities.-Provide an appropriate transition buffer between Bozeman's urban development and theagricultural landscapes of western Gallatin County.In addition, specific design guidelines should be required for any future developments, including: l. Preservation of exjsting wetlands, riparian corridors, a11d floodplains.2.Mandatory setbacks and conservation easements protecting ecologically sensitive areas.3.Clustered lot configurations that concentrate homes on less sensitive portions of the propertywhile preserving large, contiguous open spaces.4.Implementation of low-impact development (LID) techniques, including native landscaping,permeable surfaces, and advanced stormwatcr treatment systems.By requiring Rl or larger-lot, ecologically sensitive horse-property zoning, the City of Bozeman can balance the need for limited growth with its responsibility to protect Bozema11's ecological integrity, rural heritage, and community identity. 5.Our Requests to the City CommissionWe respectfully request the City of Bozeman to: I.Deny or delay Application #24570 until full environmental, ecological, and infrastructurestudies are completed.2.Require a biological assessment specifically addressing sandhill crane nesting, migratoryimpacts, and other documented wildlife species.3. Conduct a cost-benefit analysis for long-term infrastructure operation and maintenance,particularly related to sewer Lift stations and water demand.4.Perform a public safety service capacity study prior to approving additional dense resi.dentialgrowth.5.Reject R5 zoning outright, and only permit RI or larger-lot horse-property zoning for futuredevelopment in this corridor, with appropriate ecological preservation measures.Than.k you for your thoughtful consideration of tllis protest and your ongoing commitment to sustainable, community-driven growth in Bozeman. Respectfu II y, � Cleveland & Lisa Jones 3 Thoroughbred Lane Bozeman, MT 59718