HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-14-25 Public Comment - B. Comer - FW_ BonTon and Centennial Park Zoning Proposals; Role of CDBFrom:Bruce Comer
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]FW: BonTon and Centennial Park Zoning Proposals; Role of CDB
Date:Thursday, November 13, 2025 4:15:27 PM
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From: Bruce Comer <bruce@oceanpk.com>
Sent: Wednesday, November 12, 2025 3:05 PM
To: jmorrison@bozeman.net; ebode@bozeman.net; tcunningham@bozeman.net;
jmadgic@bozeman.net; dfischer@bozeman.net
Cc: Bruce Comer <bruce@oceanpk.com>
Subject: BonTon and Centennial Park Zoning Proposals; Role of CDB
Dear Commissioners,
After watching highlights of the CDB’s recent meeting that addressed the incorporation of the
(BonTon) BT and (Centennial Park) CP’s zoning proposals into the UDC, I am concerned that
all the work, communication, deliberation and effort that residents, City staff and the City
Commission have put into crafting the revised UDC could completely derailed by an unelected
board.
The BT and CP residents are anxious about uncontrolled development in their neighborhood.
As a result, residents of these two neighborhoods put significant time into thoughtful
proposals that balance moderate growth with preserving strong neighborhoods. Neighbors
spoke with neighbors. Residents have shown up to every Commission meeting or CDB
meeting that addressed their proposal and the UDC. Residents reached out to individual
Commissioners to show them block-by-block how the UDC would affect our neighborhood,
how there is room for moderate growth in our neighborhood, and to listen to the positions of
the Commissioners. So far, this seems to be how a municipal government is supposed to
work. It seems to be a successful model for how residents can organize, develop ideas, get
feedback and have an active voice in their local government.
My concern is that this process of incorporating the BT and CP’s proposals into the UDC could
be completely swept away by the CDB which is not an elected board, and which has not
presented their ideas to our neighborhoods for our reaction and feedback.
Imagine how residents in these neighborhoods are going to feel if the CDB wipes away these
proposals? It’s not fair. It’s not transparent. It’s not democratic.
It would be disenfranchisement.
You are our elected representatives. We have worked so hard with you as a Commission,
individually and with your staff to reach a draft UDC that achieves multiple goals for our
neighborhoods and Bozeman’s future. Please adopt the UDC as it is drafted – and not toss
aside our efforts to appease the CDB.
Thank you on behalf of my neighbors and the rest of Bozeman.
Bruce Comer
401 S. 3rd Avenue
406-600-1857