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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-18-25 Public Comment - M. and D. Lonner - Sundance Springs 2, App 25238 onner 3602 Good Medicine Way-Bozeman, MT 59715-(c)406-539-9065®(h)406-587 9600®tlonner(Ogmail.com-marthalonner@gmail.com The Second Application(425238) for Lot 2 Sundance Springs, Neighborhood Services still DOES NOT Follow the PUD, Master Plan, Covenants and Development Guidelines To: Erin George, Director of Community Development November 17, 2025 Since 1970, we have been postal residents of Bozeman, MT for 55 years. Fifty- two of those years we've lived at 3602 Good Medicine Way, which is part of the Sourdough Creek Properties Subdivision and adjacent to the Sundance Springs PUD approved by the City Commission in 1996. When we first moved to Good Medicine Way, we were about amile from Bozeman's City limits and surrounded by agricultural operations.We've enjoyed living in a quiet,safe and well established family neighborhood that is envied by many. Homes for sale here are not on the market for long. We have experienced the expanding development of South Bozeman and have remained vigilant in maintaining a quality of development around us.None of the current Bozeman City Commissioners and staff were around in the 199Os when we fought to maintain the integrity of our neighborhood after development proposals and annexations were made near or next to our neighborhood. We do not live directly in the city of Bozeman, so we only find out indirectly about proposed land use change such as the Sundance Springs commercial parcel of the original 1 PUD signed into law by the Bozeman City Commissioners in 1996. We have and continue to be involved with the final requirements of this PUD and Master Plan, which are the basis for the Covenants and Development Guidelines, which again are not being considered in this second application to develop this lot. These legally binding documents specifically prohibit: • Two, two story buildings (only one, one level building of 5,000 is allowed) • A patio with extensive outdoor seating (prohibited) • All outdoor activities (prohibited) • A large restaurant or businesses designed to be city-wide attractions (neighborhood size and scale are required) There are two very important development criteria that must by clarified by the City Planning Department and Commission before proceeding any further with approval of this development. They are: 1. What constitutes a "Neighborhood Services" land use designation? 2. What legally defines "Complementary to Adjacent Neighborhoods" when annexations and/or developments are approved by the City Commission? Believe us, we have reasons for concern involving the details when you designate the use of a plot of land. As you know,there are many things that have to be considered and many legal loopholes,misinterpretations and/or violations that often end up in lawsuits and/or the courts. Therefore, we acre requesting that the Second Applic2tion ( 2523 ) be denied for the 1.3 acre parcel (Lot 2) of land in the Sundanee Springs PUD and that it remains commercial as designated by the original final approved master plan and PUD signed by the Cite Commission in 1996. This designation was for one QUIET 2 commercial building not to exceed -5,000 square feet to be built on Lot 2. Our expectations were not to draw unreasonable, unsafe commercial traffic and parking through the heart of South Bozeman Neighborhoods adjacent to designated open space, which could negatively change our neighborhood's peaceful and safe existence. If these designations are not adhered to, then some legal issues will have to be resolved, because as usual "The Devil is in the Details." (SEE ATTACHED SPECIFIC CONCERNS OF OUR REQUEST.) We firmly believe that HISTORY DOES MATTER, and the credibility of government decisions be based on policies and laws while not compromising or contradicting expectations of its citizens, and not based on the whims of developers. We sure don't want to destroy our safe, quiet, enjoyable and well established neighborhood with an unexpected noisy and noncomplernentary commercial type of development. Thank you for considering our request, concerns and comments. Sincerely, Terry N. Lonner Martha A. Lonner tlonner@gmail.com marthalonner&gmail.com 406-539-9065 406-539-9065 cc: Bozeman City Commissioners and the Sundance Springs Homeowners Association 3 Here are the main issues we are concerned about: 1.) TOO MANY BUILDINGS AND ACTIVITIY ON TOO SMALL OF A LOT: As noted, Application 925238 proposes two, two story buildings totaling 10,000 square feet. Those buildings include a restaurant/bar with over 100 seats for patrons, nearly half of which are outdoors. Such outdoor seating is forbidden by the Master Plan. The 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.) ALL OUTDOOR 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 should be no outdoor business 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. 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.). NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES ARE REQUIRED; NOT CITYWIDE DESTINATIONS: The proposal of two oversized buildings will flood destination traffic into our neighborhood from all over town. The intention of the Master Plan was just the opposite. The neighborhood commercial lots at the western entrance to our neighborhood are meant for neighborhood businesses. 5.) TWO BUILDINGS ARE NOT ALLOWED: The PUD and Master Plan allow only one, single story building of less than 5,000 square feet. This proposal asks for two,two story buildings totaling nearly 10,000 square feet. The city should follow the legally binding Master Plan. 6.) PARKING LOTS ABUT THE TRAILS, SETBACKS AND BLOCK FRONTAGE STANDARDS CODES ARE VIOLATED: The proposed plan gobbles up setback space and damages the character of designated 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. 4