HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-18-25 Public Comment - C. Harwell - Regarding Vaquero Parkway developmentFrom:Catey Harwell
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Regarding Vaquero Parkway development
Date:Wednesday, June 18, 2025 2:48:53 PM
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,
I attended my first City Commission meeting on June 17, 2025. I came specifically to hear
more about the planned development along Vaquero abutting the Gallatin County RegionalPark. I am a homeowner in the Flanders Mill subdivision and rarely a day goes by that I don't
walk through the regional park, rain or sun, winter or summer. When someone asks where Ilive, I reply "by the regional park." This is a landmark of Bozeman's west side.
Although I attended the meeting and provided a comment to the Commission, I remain very
unsettled about the prospect of further development on what I always considered to beparkland. As Mayor Cunningham noted, someone can walk through this area and there is no
indication that this land is not part of the original park or has been intended for development.As one of the commenters pointed out, there is an abundance of wildlife in this area - I've seen
swans, loons, muskrats, and birds of prey here. Children play and bike along the trails aroundthe ponds and through the area slated for development. The high school cross country team
practices at the park. People of all different ages and from the surrounding areas and beyondwalk, run, and bike here. I understand this section of the park was originally intended to be the
site of the YMCA. In a lot of ways, that makes sense. The YMCA helps to provide a publicbenefit and can be used by all. Now, rather than providing a public benefit, this plan is now set
only to benefit the developer.
All around the park, land is being developed for commercial and residential purposes. Iunderstand this is necessary to keep up with Bozeman's projected growth. To the west, the
Northwest crossing subdivision is underway. There is a proposed affordable housingdevelopment just south of the park along Fowler. Given the current vacancy rate of 12.5% and
the amount of surrounding development, cannot the park be left intact, without more being cutout for townhomes? The city of Bozeman and Bozeman's west side has changed significantly
even since 2022 when the "land swap" was made. Just because this was the developmentproposal then, doesn't mean it fits with Bozeman's current identity or needs. More park and
recreation space is needed, not townhomes.
As a physician, I often have to weigh the risks and benefits of specific interventions. I fear thatallowing this development project to move forward risks setting a precedent that it's okay to
forsake our park space, degrading trust in our local government, and taking away land that iscurrently being used as a public good for personal gain. I urge you if you haven't been to the
Gallatin County Regional Park or haven't been recently, come take a walk or go for a bikeride. Appreciate the wildlife, the unmarred views of the Bridgers, and think about what we risk
losing by allowing this development to move forward.
Thank you for your time and consideration,Catey Harwell