HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-17-25 Public Comment - J. McClellan - Development Application #25238, Sundance SpringsFrom:Jean McClellan
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Development Application #25238, Sundance Springs
Date:Monday, November 17, 2025 7:49:20 AM
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Dear Erin George,
I implore the city and the Director of Community Development to reject Development
Application #25238 for commercial development in Sundance Springs entirely. Legally, the
developers and the city must follow the PUD and Master Plan, which call for a single, one-level
building with less than 5,000 square feet of interior space and with no outdoor business use.
Simply stated, this proposed plan is for two times the building space allowed by the Master
Plan. Here are the primary problems and violations:
1.) TWO BUILDINGS ARE NOT ALLOWED: The latest Application #25238 proposes two 2-story
buildings totaling 10,000 square feet. The PUD and Master Plan allow only one, single story
building of less than 5,000 square feet. In addition to the proposed restaurant/bar, this latest
proposal also suggests a 2,500-square-foot health gym, a 1,200 square foot retail space and a
total of 4 second-story office suites in the two buildings.
2.) OUTDOOR BUSINESS ACTIVITIES ARE NOT ALLOWED: The proposed plan shows extensive
outdoor seating for a restaurant/bar. Even more seasonal seating is possible in the grassy
area adjacent to the proposed patio. This is a direct violation of the Master Plan which states
that there is no outdoor activity allowed.
3.) NOT ENOUGH PARKING: The proposed uses include businesses in two large buildings that -
as designed - may at times need 150 or more parking spaces, and yet there are only 51 spaces
provided on site. The PUD prohibits on-street parking. But the two oversized buildings will
flood our streets with parked cars. This proposal creates major safety issues because our
narrow streets will become one-lane alleys, restricting our safe access to our homes and
endangering us all with increased traffic, constricted traffic lanes and poor access for
emergency vehicles.
4.) PARKING LOTS WILL DESTROY THE CHARACTER AND PURPOSE OF OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS.
STANDARDS CODES ARE VIOLATED: Our trails systems are a major reason why my family lives
in Bozeman. We love our open space and hiking trails. The proposed plan gobbles up setback
space and damages the character of our open space. Sundance Springs homeowners own the
open space surrounding this commercial lot. The relevant building code does not allow
parking to lap over into the bordering setbacks that are meant to buffer our open space. The
relevant code also does not allow buildings with main entrances that front onto parking lots.
5.) NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES ARE REQUIRED; NOT CITYWIDE DESTINATIONS: The proposal of
two buildings housing as many as 7 businesses will draw destination traffic into our
neighborhood from all over town. The original intention of the Master Plan was just the
opposite. The neighborhood commercial lots at the western entrance to our neighborhood
are exclusively for neighborhood businesses serving mainly local residents. Future proposed
businesses are not meant to draw outside patrons into our neighborhood. But the current
proposal will violate this key provision of the Master Plan.
Please enforce the legally binding Master Plan and PUD. This proposal must be entirely
rejected!
Thank you!
Jean Pfau McClellan
South Bozeman Resident