HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-17-25 Public Comment - B. MacFawn - CC and CDB commentFrom:Beth MacFawn
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]CC and CDB comment
Date:Monday, November 17, 2025 11:06:51 AM
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City of BozemanTo: Mayor, City Commission & Community Development Board
Dear city of Bozeman Mayor, Commissioners, and the Community Development Board,
Thank you for making the effort, and the time, to listen to community feedback regarding the UDCzoning changes.
As a co-author of the Centennial Park Neighbourhood proposal, I continue to ask you to listen to the
community comments, and support the current CPN zoning as R-A, as written in the Sept. 17 UDC
draft.
Allowing up to 2 units, and an ADU , within my neighbourhood will continue to maintain thecharacter and scale of this historic neighbourhood. It also meets the intention of the NCOD, whosepurpose “is to stimulate the restoration and rehabilitation of structures contributing to the characterand fabric of established residential neighborhoods. “
Allowing a higher zoning, or more units within R-A, will negatively impact the historic character of
this mainly single-family style of homes and eclectic neighbourhood. It will, over time, impact how
this neighbourhood looks in future years.
As written in Investigation Neighborhood Character in the Northeast Neighborhood of Bozeman,
MT., by Dr. Susan Cowan, Dr. Sarah P. Church, Radulski, Dalvit, Giddings, Rosenthal & Peoria :
“Tax assessments show that for many homes in the Northeast neighborhood, the land is more
valuable than the small historic homes built on the land. This has led recent homebuyers to demolish
or extensively renovate historic homes. The new buildings often maximize zoning code allowances,
leading to much larger and more expensive homes, which are less affordable to local workers. These
larger homes also have smaller yards which may be decreasing the culture of informal social
interactions in front yards and back alleyways. These recent changes have spurred conversation
between Northeast
neighborhood residents and city staff about how to preserve the character of the neighborhood in
the face of social, economic, and physical changes.”
Source: PhotoVoices NE, P. 16, 17, 23, 24
The NENA neighbors have been advocating for their neighborhood scale, character and affordability
for years. This is not a “not in my backyard”, or an act of privilege. Many of us chose to rent and/or
buy a home here because of the character, eclectic style of homes/businesses, and the social-
economic diversity of people, its affordability, and the established boulevard trees.
Zoning should reflect what is currently on the ground. The proposed 2 unit allowance, plus ADU
provides for gentle density while maintaining the historic scale, style and character of this
neighbourhood.
Please listen to your constituents and the city staff of their goals and recommendations.
Thank you for this consideration.
Beth MacFawn
MontanaLandscapeDesigner
Instagram!