HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-19-25 Public Comment - J. DiMarco - UDC Draft commentsFrom:jerrydimarco@mail.com
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]UDC Draft comments
Date:Monday, August 18, 2025 6:47:29 PM
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Many citizens have been submitting comments about the draft UDC, expressing important
ideas and principles for all of us to consider. From the irresponsible changes being forced onus by the global development community, to the dysfunction our neighborhoods are falling
into. We have heard how restrictive zoning accelerates the increase in housing costs. Thehistoric districts and NCOD are prime examples of this. There is the impact of investors
turning a basic necessity like housing into a commodity, and driving up its cost to fuel theirneed for profits. There were tough questions like, did you come here to change the place from
what drew you here?
Hopefully everyone understands that increasing density does not increase affordability,
because of the increase in land value. Allowing zoning districts to increase density will leadto property owners adding units, to increase income and resale value. The variety in housing
in those districts will gradually decline as properties become more dense. There will be morehousing, but it will be more crowded and less affordable, and many other things will have
been sacrificed in the process.
How important is variety? Much of the new housing development lacks variety. There are
long sections of housing with no variety. Is that what we want?
Many have expressed concern about losing the character of our neighborhoods. This might
be considered a subjective standard. You could say it is in the eye of the beholder. If it doesnot mean much to you then maybe it is the wrong word to use. Stand in Cooper Park and look
at the neighborhood around it. Then stand at 25th and Turbulence and look at thosesurroundings. Which place do you consider more desirable to live? Where would you want
your children to grow up?
Character is not just about aesthetics. It is also about culture. It is about whether there is
opportunity or deprivation. It is about the pursuit of happiness. Therefore, it is about ourrights and the quality of life itself. These considerations are no small matter. In fact, they are
some of the more important issues to consider, especially when we are discussing how ourhometown will develop going forward. Will we be able to reclaim those rights for the citizens
who live here?
On other topics, I agree that we should not expand the B3 district. It should have been
stopped at Mendenhall and Babcock, and not gone beyond Grand and Rouse.
The RMH designation was discriminatory. There should be more generous livability
standards for mobile home parks.
Large buildings in residential areas negatively impact the transportation plan as well, and
create headaches for residents in the area. Why would you do that to our citizens? Bigapartment buildings, because they are less desirable living arrangements, are a less stable form
of housing. That is compounded by being more difficult to move in and out of. Higher thanthe trees is too high.
If there will be more big boxes, ground floor parking should be required. That would makeit easier to provide garages and storage areas. Residents would not have to scrape their
windshields every morning in winter, and would have a place to work on their cars. Theywould not have to rent storage somewhere inconvenient. Since the parking lot could be
smaller or not be needed, maybe there would be space for a play area or social activities.
Converting a home to multi-residence may create an additional parking problem. Is on-site
parking required when there are conversions?
We should pay attention to our Climate Plan and stop demolishing buildings, and instead
start reusing or deconstructing them.
As one commenter said, take a stand. Ask yourself, would I want to live with these
restrictions or results? Our foundational objective should be to provide housing that peoplewould want to live in.
Thank you for your time and efforts in dealing with a very difficult problem.
Jerry DiMarco
Bozeman