HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-07-25 Public Comment - S. Neff - 1109 S. Willson Mr. Terry Cunningham
Bozeman City Mayor October 5, 2025
Dear Mr. Cunningham,
My wife and I have just become aware that the new owner of 1109 South Willson Avenue plans to convert his
single family residence into a fraternity property.
Although we live directly across the street from this property in a home we purchased 23 years ago, this person
has made no effort to introduce himself nor inform us, his neighbor, of his intention.
This person moved to Bozeman from out of state less than 60 days ago and has no prior residence in the state of
Montana. His lack of civility to inform us of his intent to develop this single family house into something very
different from what it was built and zoned to be is disheartening.
We are very concerned with the increase in noise, impact on parking and public safety inherent when large
groups of unrelated people either move into or utilize a small single family home as a social venue. Is "Animal
House" coming to our neighborhood?
Over the decades, we have invested substantially in our property and the community. Perhaps you have seen on
our fence the colorful image of the grizzly painted by local artist Mini Matsuda that we donated through the
Craighead Institute public mural project.
The residential R1 designation of this neighborhood and the fact that we are on the periphery of the Bon Ton
Historical District has tremendous value. We are concerned this value will be undermined and our investment
will be diminished if located next to a fraternity or sorority.
Recently, we were shocked to learn that a "loophole" to our zoning laws enabled a fraternity with over 50
members (and countless guests) to change a single family home on Garfield to a large group home.
We understand that the City is currently working to revise the UDC. We implore you to pause any approvals
for new or relocated fraternities/sororities into R1/R2 zones or single family homes until adoption of this
updated UDC.
Sincerely,
ev nd Anna Neff
1110 South Willson Ave.
206-696-2170