HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-07-25 Public Comment - J. Cleveland - Protest of 5211 Baxter Lane, App 24570 Joe Thomas Cleveland&Lisa Ann Jones
2463 Thoroughbred Ln
Bozeman, MT 59718
Phone: 720-840-6440, 970-231-1975
Email:joe cleveland0hotmail.com,lijonesaPyahoo.com
Date: July 7, 2025
Bozeman City Clerk
121 North Rouse Ave.
PO Box 1230
Bozeman, MT 59771-1230
RE: Protest of Annexation and Zone Map Amendment—Application No. 24570
To Whom It May Concern,
As the legal owner(s) of real property located at 2463 Thoroughbred Ln,Bozeman,MT
59718,we hereby submit this formal written protest in opposition to Annexation and Zone
Map Amendment Application No. 24570,as noticed for public hearing before the Bozeman
City Commission.
We submit this protest pursuant to Montana Code Annotated§76-2-305,as we qualify as
adjoining property owners.
Statement of Protest
We oppose the proposed zoning changes and annexation described in Application 24570 for
the following reasons,among others:
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.
5. 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.
S.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.
We respectfully urge the Bozeman City Commission to reject this application.
Qualifications of Protestor(s)
Property Owner(s):Joe Thomas Cleveland&Lisa Ann Jones
Address of Owned Property: 2463 Thoroughbred Ln,Bozeman,MT 59718
Signatures of All P pert Ow
Signaturere: Joe
Printed NT. Cleveland
Signature:
Printed Na s`a ones
V
Sincerely,
Joe Thomas Cleveland&Lisa Ann Jones
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