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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-24-25 Public Comment - A. Hetherington - Please Consider- Not to expand the B-3 zone to east Curtiss between Tracy and Black in the UDC updateFrom:Abby Hetherington To:Bozeman Public Comment Subject:[EXTERNAL]Please Consider- Not to expand the B-3 zone to east Curtiss between Tracy and Black in the UDC update Date:Friday, November 21, 2025 10:53:59 AM Attachments:image.png image.pngimage.png CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Hello Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Commissioners, and the Community Development Department, I am writing because I am deeply concerned about the proposal to expand the B-3 zone into East Curtissbetween Tracy and Black. I live at 301 South Black in the South Tracy/South Black National RegisterHistoric District, and this proposal would fundamentally change the character and purpose of theneighborhood I call home. My home was built in 1883 it was known as the Nichols House and it sits strongon the corner of Curtiss and South Black. I want to share why this matters so much to me. My first home was at 116 South Bozeman. I saved for years to purchase it, and I lived there proudly for 18years. When conversations began about building a parking garage next to my home, I made the difficultdecision to move. I chose my home on South Black because it sat beside a beautiful historic stone church,and I believed this area would remain protected, a place where historic character matters and whereresidents can trust in a long-term vision for preservation. I never imagined I would be facing a similar situation again. I have invested countless hours, significant financial resources, and a great deal of heart into preserving myhome and maintaining its historic integrity. This is not just a property to me, it is a piece of Bozeman’shistory that I deeply cherish and feel responsible for. What concerns me just as much is that I was never contacted about this proposed zoning change. Withsomething this impactful, it is incredibly discouraging to learn about it informally rather than as an engagedand informed neighbor. I fully understand that our city must grow and evolve, and I support thoughtfulgrowth. But those of us who are directly affected deserve to be part of that conversation. Why are we notbeing informed or educated about changes that so directly affect our daily lives and investments? Bozeman has been very supportive of my small business over the years. Because of that support, I’ve beenable to invest in multiple historic properties downtown. As a young, single female entrepreneur, thatopportunity has allowed me not only to live and grow here, but also to reinvest directly into Bozeman’shistoric fabric. I recently purchased a condo in a Fred Willson building at 33 South Tracy, and I’ve worked hard to helpmaintain one of the last intact historic blocks downtown. I also rent a large building at 23 West Babcock,formerly Montana Motor Supply. When I moved into that space ten years ago, the City would not allow meto add signage because it would appear excessive alongside the original Montana Motor Supply ghost sign.To protect that history, I chose to operate my business without signage for the first three years. I could notbring myself to sandblast away a piece of Bozeman’s past, something that connects people to thiscommunity and preserves the authenticity that makes our city unique. Eventually, after working closelywith the City, I installed a modest sign for my business, The Architect’s Wife. These efforts were never required of me. I made them because I genuinely care about preservingBozeman’s identity. For that same reason, I am asking you not to expand the B-3 zone into our neighborhood. This neighborhood is part of a Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District (NCOD). Its purpose isclear: “The intent and purpose of the conservation district designation is to stimulate the restoration andrehabilitation of structures, and all other elements contributing to the character and fabric of establishedresidential neighborhoods.” Expanding the B-3 zone here conflicts directly with that purpose. It risks undermining the very qualities theNCOD was created to protect. I am asking you to reconsider this recommendation. What makes Bozeman special is not just its growth,but the thoughtful preservation of the places that tell our story. This neighborhood is one of those places. I would sincerely appreciate the opportunity to speak with you directly about these concerns. Please feelfree to reach me at (406) 570-4180. It is incredibly important that the voices of residents in our historicdistrict are genuinely heard and considered. Thank you for your time and for all you do for this community. Warmly, Abby Hetherington 301 South BlackBozeman, MT 59715 (406) 570-4180 '