HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-19-25 Public Comment - K. Berry - 8_19 City Commission Meeting, UDC Agenda.From:Katherine Berry
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]8/19 City Commission Meeting, UDC Agenda.
Date:Tuesday, August 19, 2025 11:56:25 AM
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Hello!
My name is Katherine Berry, and I am a Bozeman resident. I urge the City Commission todirect City staff to meet with Gallatin County Planners, and to adopt, as much as possible, the
language and clarity found in the Gallatin County Subdivision Regulations regardingAgricultural Water User Facilities.
The county regulations, updated in early 2025, were updated in collaboration with legalcounsel from the Association of Gallatin Agricultural Irrigators (AGAI).
The regulations go beyond simply referencing Montana Code by incorporating much of thelanguage that protects ditches and their easements directly into city code. The subdivision
regulations make clear that ditches are private property, that easements exist and must beidentified through direct contact with ditch owners, and that any impairment or encroachment
requires written consent from the ditch owner. These points need to be stated as clearly aspossible to set expectations for all parties involved.
Talking with County Planners will be very valuable, I recommend meeting with them aboutthis topic. Let's make Bozeman's code the best it can be, and pull from local examples.
Best,
Katherine