HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-18-25 Public Comment - J. Cleveland and L. Jones - Protest Annexation and ZMA, App 24570 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 (5211 Baxter
Lane)
Dear Bozeman City Commissioners and Planning Department,
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We, the undersigned homeowners of 2463 Thoroughbred Lane, respectfully submit this letter in
formal protest of Annexation and Zone Map Amendment Application#24570 for 5211 Baxter
Lane. We urge the City Commission to deny or delay approval of this application due to
significant concerns related to 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 5211 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 nesters, 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 this 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 hunting and
nesting.
- Waterfowl including ducks and geese, dependent on wetlands and ponds for seasonal nesting
and migratory staging.
-Mammals 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 Stormwater
Management
Annexation and development of this parcel would place unsustainable burdens on Bozeman's
infrastructure, including:
-The necessity for permanent lift stations to manage wastewater, creating long-term operational
and 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 to this location would further strain Bozeman's already
understaffed police and emergency services. Increasing call volumes, traffic incidents, and
general service needs will likely lead to reduced emergency response times for both new and
existing residents. Public safety capacity must be addressed before further dense development is
approved.
4. Community Impact: R5 Zoning Incompatible- Only R1 or Larger-Lot (Horse Property)
Zoning Appropriate
We wish to emphasize in the strongest possible terms that R5 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 lots.
We believe that no zoning denser than R1 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 sandhill cranes and
associated species.
- Support attainable homeownership opportunities for local families seeking rural living with
proximity to Bozeman amenities.
- Provide an appropriate transition buffer between Bozeman's urban development and the
agricultural landscapes of western Gallatin County.
In addition, specific design guidelines should be required for any future developments, including:
1. Preservation of existing wetlands, riparian corridors, and floodplains.
2. Mandatory setbacks and conservation easements protecting ecologically sensitive areas.
3. Clustered lot configurations that concentrate homes on less sensitive portions of the property
while preserving large, contiguous open spaces.
4. Implementation of low-impact development(LID) techniques, including native landscaping,
permeable surfaces, and advanced stormwater treatment systems.
By requiring R1 or larger-lot, ecologically sensitive horse-property zoning, the City of Bozeman
can balance the need for limited growth with its responsibility to protect Bozeman's ecological
integrity, rural heritage, and community identity.
S. Our Requests to the City Commission
We respectfully request the City of Bozeman to:
1. Deny or delay Application#24570 until full environmental, ecological, and infrastructure
studies are completed.
2. Require a biological assessment specifically addressing sandhill crane nesting, migratory
impacts, 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 residential
growth.
5. Reject R5 zoning outright, and only permit R1 or larger-lot horse-property zoning for future
development in this corridor, with appropriate ecological preservation measures.
Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of this protest and your ongoing commitment to
sustainable, community-driven growth in Bozeman.
/463Thorouc,hbred
ly,
and &Lisa Jones fU�
Lane
Bozeman, MT 59718