HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-14-25 Public Comment - J. Arthur - Please do not change the UDC for old neighborhoodsFrom:Jean Arthur
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Cc:Terry Cunningham; Emma Bode; Douglas Fischer; Jennifer Madgic; Joey Morrison
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Please do not change the UDC for old neighborhoods
Date:Monday, July 14, 2025 9:18:27 AM
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 Bozeman City Council,
I understand that within the UDC reconfiguration, the City of Bozeman officials are considering no limit on the number of
units in the lowest density residential zoning districts, like my neighborhood, the
Figgins subdivision, where I’ve lived since 2003. I urge you to not alter the current
low-density residential zoning district for many reasons which are costly and
unsustainable to me and my neighbors. I have several reasons, listed below, which
show you why allowing multiple units per lot in my 1975-ish neighborhood creates anegative situation for those of us who have invested in both our homes and in our
neighborhood relationships.
1. Infrastructure Strain
Existing utilities—such as water, sewage, communication and electrical systems—were
not designed to support higher residential density. Adding multi-unit dwellings will
overwhelm capacity, increase maintenance costs, and reduce reliability. Adding multi-
unit dwellings will cost everyone in the neighborhood more money. Many of my
neighbors are long-retired and on fixed incomes. They do not deserve to be
overwhelmed by other people’s greedy land grab and additional, multi-unit dwellings.
2. Traffic Congestion and Parking Deficits
Increased density results in more vehicles per block. Streets in older neighborhoods
often lack the width, signage, or traffic control to handle additional cars, worsening
congestion and diminishing pedestrian safety. I walk every single day, whether dog-
walking, helping a neighbor or walking/biking to work. Figgins already has too many
vehicles, too few stop signs, and too many aggressive drivers. Increasing density will
make walking and biking significantly more dangerous. Parking is already a big issue.
The house next to mine is a 4-bedroom rental. The renters have 3 trucks, 1 car, 2
snowmobiles + snowmo trailer, 1 raft and trailer, 2 motorcycles and one utility trailer.
On some days, we cannot even park in front of our house (we usually park in our garage
and driveway), and our elderly relatives had to park down the street!
3. Devaluation of Nearby Properties
Sudden changes in zoning and neighborhood composition will lower the perceived
desirability of Figgins and other similar neighborhoods. I bought in Figgins because in
2003, it was a quiet neighborhood with few rentals. And as you know, property prices
and values skyrocketed. BUT what about the VALUE of COMMUNITY!?! We have
community in Figgins. I know many of my neighbors and their kids and their dogs and
their cars and their needs. We help each other out but when a community loses value,
we all lose out.
4. Noise and Privacy Concerns
Multi-unit homes increase traffic and see high-occupancy turnover (less buy-in to
community), which reduces privacy and elevates noise levels in our quiet neighborhood.
We already have had many problems with renters who have had loud parties that
extended well past 2 a.m. or have shot off illegal fireworks into Jarrett Park—at 4 a.m.!
We do not need more bad behavior!
5. Risk of Developer-Driven Overreach
Loosening restrictions will invite speculative development driven by profit rather than
community need. Such developments prioritizes maximum density over livability,
sustainability, or aesthetic coherence. We know this! We’ve seen the profit-driven
problems in Bozeman—PLEASE, do not add to the problems by allowing new high-
density housing in Figgins.
And then there’s safety concerns.
1. Emergency Access Impediments
Denser housing increases on-street parking and traffic congestion, which can obstruct
fire trucks, ambulances, and police vehicles. For example, last winter, our street was
plowed only twice. One week, after no plowing, and despite begin on the city’s plow
schedule for that week, a delivery truck got stuck in my cul-de-sac. No vehicle could get
around it. The delivery truck was there for more than 6 hours. Parked cars were part of
the problem for the tow truck. More cars from more inhabitants will make our
neighborhood harder to access for emergency vehicles.
2. Fire Risk and Code Compliance
Retrofitting single-family homes into multi-unit dwellings introduces complex fire-
safety challenges. Older structures may not meet updated fire codes, including
requirements for fire-resistant materials, adequate egress routes, and sprinkler systems.
Improper or poorly regulated remodels increase fire hazards for both occupants and
neighbors.
3. Structural Integrity Concerns
Converting older single-family homes into multi-units may strain foundations, electrical
systems, and load-bearing walls not engineered for increased occupancy. Without
rigorous inspections and enforcement, such conversions could lead to unsafe living
conditions.
4. Increased Crime Potential
Rapid changes in population density and tenant turnover may weaken informal social
controls. Research suggests higher-density areas with frequent resident changes
sometimes experience more property crimes, especially when landlords fail to vet
tenants or maintain oversight.
5. Public Health Risks
Overcrowding in converted units may contribute to unsanitary conditions, such as
inadequate waste disposal, pest infestations, or ventilation problems—especially in
homes not designed for multiple households. These conditions heighten public health
risks for both residents and the surrounding community.
6. Pedestrian Safety Degradation
More residents often mean more foot traffic and more cars parked along curbs, reducing
visibility at intersections and crosswalks. Children, seniors, and cyclists face elevated
risk in neighborhoods where infrastructure was not designed for high-density traffic
patterns.
Together, these safety concerns underscore the potential hazards of densifying olderneighborhoods without comprehensive planning, enforcement, and investment in publicinfrastructure.
Jean Arthur
504 W. Spring Creek Dr.
Bozeman, MT 59715