HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-13-25 Public Comment - M. McHugh - Agenda item J.1_ Fowler Avenue Affordable Housing Project Work SessionFrom:Mary McHugh
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Cc:Mary McHugh
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Agenda item J.1: Fowler Avenue Affordable Housing Project Work Session
Date:Wednesday, August 13, 2025 12:05:45 PM
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Due to technical difficulties attributed solely to my own error, I was unable to participate in
the Public Comment on line at the Commission meeting yesterday evening on item J.1 of the
agenda. Please provide these comments to the Commision. Thank you.
Mary Frances McHugh
(530)598-7383
Public Comment to Commission 8-12-25
Commissioners:
The City of Bozeman’s 2020 Community Plan at page 29 sets forth as a goal: Enable a gradual
and predictable increase in density in developed areas over time.
R-3 or higher is not suitable for this site. As pointed out in the Letter to the Commission dated
8-4-25 from the Harvest Creek Homeowners Association, the site has constraints which make
it functionally Undevelopable for High-Density Housing. The Parcel’s narrow width (150 feet)
once appropriate setbacks are applied, will leave only 80’ of buildable width. After accounting
for a 25’ road and 25’ driveways, only 30 feet remain for structures. This renders high-density
design infeasible. Contrast this density with the adjacent neighborhood to the east whose
parcel average 1/6 of an acre.
These physical attributes and the lack of buffers for the development from the adjacent
neighborhood conflicts with the Community Plan. This will be an abrupt and startling
transition from the surrounding area. It will not be gradual or predictable.
Additionally, high density development of this site conflicts with the Community Plan as it is
not transit friendly. The 2020 Community Plan identifies the area in the Fowler Development
as Urban Neighborhood (Future Land Use Map page 60). According to the Plan, this category
includes urban density of homes in all variety of types, shapes, sizes and intensities. It
encompasses residential zoning from single family residences to R-5, the most intense urban
residential use.
According to the Plan at page 52, Higher density residential areas are encouraged to be, but
are not required or restricted to, proximity to commercial mixed use areas to facilitate the
provision of services and employment opportunities requiring the use of a car.
Applying those standards, and, if you look on Zillow at a similarly situated property two blocks
away, the project is not walkable and is not rated highly for either transit or bikeabilitiy.
Denser housing has less onsite parking, because it is designed to be more reliant on walkability
and transit. This area is not “transit-oriented” it is Car Oriented. According to its published
schedule the Brownline runs hourly. There are no stores nearer than a mile. The on-site
parking proposed will cause overflow parking and vehicle storage from the Fowler project.
This is not the best possible site plan for this project.
I urge the Commissioners to adopt the suggestions of the Harvest Creek HOA (HCHOA), and if
action occurs: direct any zoning application be limited to not greater than R-2.