HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-13-25 Public Comment - B. Asserson - FW_ [EXTERNAL]Re_ Fowler ProjectFrom:Brit Fontenot
To:Mike Maas; Alex Newby
Cc:Chuck Winn; David Fine; Nicholas Ross; Erin George
Subject:FW: [EXTERNAL]Re: Fowler Project
Date:Monday, July 14, 2025 8:57:04 AM
Attachments:sanbelllogotaglinesharptagline_2e7b2865-bf7e-448f-b5f9-ca3817db2ced.png
Hi Mike, a public comment received by SanBell related to the Fowler Housing Project.
Brit
From: Betsy Asserson <betsy.asserson@gmail.com>
Sent: Sunday, July 13, 2025 9:25 PM
To: Diane Tolhurst <dtolhurst@sanbell.com>
Cc: wasserson <wasserson@gmail.com>
Subject: Fowler Project
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Dear Ms. Tolhurst,
My name is Betsy Asserson, and I am a homeowner in the Harvest Creek neighborhood. I am
writing to share my deep concerns about the proposed Fowler Housing Project and theassociated road construction for the Fowler Ave Connector.
While I recognize the importance of addressing Bozeman’s housing needs and am in supportof sustainable solutions, the scale and planning of this project raise significant red flags.
One of my primary concerns is that the City has not yet annexed all of the land needed for thedevelopment. As a result, this project will be carried out in pieces, prolonging construction
and disruption across multiple summers. This staggered approach is not only inefficient butalso unfair to residents who will have to endure extended noise, traffic, and uncertainty. We
have invested in our property and have three children, and this project will impact our qualityof life over multiple years rather than consolidating the work to minimize disruption to current
residents.
It’s extremely concerning that two interconnected projects—the housing complex and the road
infrastructure—are being treated as separate undertakings when the success and impact ofeach depends on the other. A coordinated, comprehensive plan is essential.
There does not appear to be a realistic plan in place for managing the impact of possiblybringing 84+ new housing units into a space of only 5 acres. Narrow neighborhood streets
like Farmall and Caterpillar will be burdened with significantly increased traffic and parkingoverflow, especially given the limited parking being provided in the project (1.6 spaces per
unit and no street parking on Fowler).
There’s also been little to no mention of how this will affect public services, safety, school
capacity, or long-term traffic flow in and around Harvest Creek. It feels like the project isbeing rushed through without meaningful study of its consequences.
As a homeowner, I am also seriously concerned about how this development—particularly thecapped appreciation model—will affect property values across our neighborhood.
When you cap appreciation at 3% annually and keep the city as the landowner, it seems tocreate a disincentive for upkeep and investment by the future residents of the complex. As a
homeowner in the area, I would rather see a model that incentivizes upkeep to facilitatecontinued appreciation like other comparable subdivisions in Bozeman. It raises a fairness
issue to negatively impact long-term property owners in this way.
And because many of us purchased in this neighborhood based on its character and
consistency, introducing high-density, multi-story buildings right behind our yards—withoutadequate buffers or transitions—undermines that investment. I'd prefer to explore and see
plans for single-family or townhomes that maintain the character and style of the establishedneighborhood, Harvest Creek.
I would like the City to reconsider the scale and format of this project, adopt a truly unifieddevelopment plan, and fully engage with the community before moving forward. I am not
opposed to growth or affordable housing. But the proposed developments disregard theintegrity of the existing neighborhood and shift the burden onto current residents who also
contribute to the community. My husband and I have both committed our careers to publicservice (a Bozeman Schools teacher and an MSU psychologist), and we are disappointed that
this project negatively affects the investments we have made in our community ashomeowners.
Thank you for your time and attention, and for considering the concerns we are raising.
Sincerely,
Betsy Asserson (and Walker Asserson)
1093 New Holland Dr.
Bozeman, MT 59718
--
Betsy Asserson, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist
PO Box 5125
Bozeman, MT 59717
Phone: 406-570-7107