HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-07-25 Public Comment - D. Carty - November 10th Commission Meeting_ Work Session Item_ I.1_ UDC updateFrom:Daniel Carty
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]November 10th Commission Meeting: Work Session Item: I.1: UDC update
Date:Friday, November 7, 2025 9:42:56 AM
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[Please distribute the following public comment to the City Commission in time for the
Monday, November 10, Commission meeting. And, please place this comment in the UDC
update folder.]
Friday, November 7, 9:50am
To: Bozeman City CommissionSubject: November 10, 2025, City Commission Meeting, Work Session Item: I.1: UDC
update
I am writing to offer the following comments on the City's most recent draft of its proposedUDC update:
(1) I support the neighborhood rezoning proposals submitted by both the Bon Ton and
Centennial Park Neighborhoods in the spring of 2025.
(2) I support:
R-A allowing 2 units on any lot, combines current R-S, R-1, and R-2.R-B allowing 8 units on any lot, replaces current R-3.
R-C allowing 24 units on any lot, replaces current R-4.R-D with no limit on units, replaces R-5.
(3) I support the Existing Building Alternative option for R-A, which proposes to allow
existing buildings over 35 years old to be subdivided into four units in the new R-A zoningdistrict.
(4) I support the implementation of Zone Edge Transitions (ZET) across all rights of way
when two zoning districts are separated by a right of way (e.g., street or alley) that is lessthan 60 feet in width. ZETs should be required on both the front and sides of the "taller
building" and include step-backs after the third story in height and extra setback distance(e.g., 15 feet) from the inside border of the sidewalk. Tree landscaping requirements should
be added to all ZETs, including across alleys. Also, where transition regulations applyacross alleys, such regulations should include requirements that the "taller building" use
opaque balcony screening and letterbox windows.
(5) It is axiomatic (especially in Bozeman) that increased height and increased density donot translate to affordability. Moreover, the loss of viewsheds and sunlight acts against the
public health and general welfare of Bozeman residents and humans in general. Therefore,we should not increase height allowances anywhere in the UDC update. Specifically:
(a) Cap R-A structures at 34 ft total allowed building height.
(b) Cap R-C at 40 ft, while allowing mixed-use structures 45 ft.
(c) Cap R-D residential structures at 50 ft, while allowing mixed-use structures 55 ft.
(d) Cultivate B-1 as a truly neighborhood scale commercial zone.
(e) Require developers to plant taller, fast-growing trees in zones with taller buildingallowances.
(f) SB 243 prevents Bozeman from imposing height restrictions in the B-3 zone lower than60 ft. B-3 currently caps height at 70 ft. We should not increase allowed height to 90 ft as
proposed in the latest draft because doing so is gifting a public resource to private entities.
(6) Re new and relocating Fraternities and Sororities (F&S): The primary use of a GreekHouse is not residential but instead is Amusement & Recreation, Meeting Hall, and/or Arts
& Entertainment. Hence, give F&S a separate classification under Group Living as doBillings and Missoula. And, disallow new and relocating F&S in all residential zoning
districts except R-D.
(7) I support all UDC recommendations offered to date by the Bozeman Tree Coalition.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment.
Daniel Carty
213 N. 3rd Ave
Bozeman, MT 59715