HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-01-25 Public Comment - A. Sweeney - UDC changes before adoption on December 2ndFrom:Alison Sweeney
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]UDC changes before adoption on December 2nd
Date:Sunday, November 30, 2025 2:56:40 PM
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Hello Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and Commissioners,
I hope you will make the following changes to the UDC before adopting it on December 2nd.
1. Close the Zone Edge Transitions Loophole!
Only on November 17th were we, the public, made aware of an enormous loophole in
the new UDC that would allow developers to get out of enacting the Zone Edge
Transition regulations described on page 105 of the draft. These transition
regulations are designed to mitigate the negative impacts of high density
development on adjacent lower-density neighborhoods. Unfortunately, if a developer
wants to give the city a few feet or a few inches, they don’t have to incorporate
setbacks, landscaping, or step the building back above the third story. WE WANT
DEVELOPERS TO BUILD TRANSITIONS! Read this public comment by a BBC
member who has advocated for years for better transitions.
2. Cap height in the B-3 at 60 feet!
Even some developers are suggesting that the City NOT raise the allowed height in
B-3 to 90 feet! A new state law requires that cities like Bozeman allow a 60 foot
building in commercial areas, but why has Bozeman allowed 90 feet in the UDC
draft? Instead, we should cap allowed height at 60 feet, and then allow the additional
height only in exchange for affordable housing! This incentive is already included in
our Affordable Housing Ordinance (AHO) updated last January. LEVERAGE
EVERYTHING!
3. Support neighborhood rezoning proposals and the EBA!
The Bon Ton and Centennial Park neighborhoods have both submitted detailed
zoning requests to be R-A in the UDC update. The new R-A zone would allow for a
duplex (and an ADU) on every lot, which, coupled with the new no-minimum lot size,
would allow for a gradual and predictable increase in density in these neighborhoods.
The Existing Building Alternative (EBA) would allow an existing structure over 35
years old to internally divide into 4 units. This is one of the recommendations from
Strong Towns in their Housing Ready Toolkit. In the draft UDC the neighborhoods are
both shown on the map as R-A. Please keep it this way!
4. Bozeman Tree Coalition’s suggested language!
The Bozeman Tree Coalition (BTC) has advocated for years for better language in
code to protect our urban forest from unnecessary destruction in the development
process. They have met with staff and commissioners and have submitted their
suggestions in writing. Their most recent suggestions were submitted today. One
example is their request to add the word “maximum” to the section of code in
38.410.010.B. Natural Environment, so that it would read, “The design and
development of all land uses must be properly related to topography, and must, to
the maximum extent possible, preserve the natural terrain, natural drainage, existing
topsoil, trees and other existing vegetation.” This is the language in our Sensitive
Lands Plan. Plans are written to inform code.
5. Require adequate Fraternity & Sorority gathering space!
The University Neighborhood Association (UNA) has worked tirelessly for years to
make sure that new and relocating Greek Houses are set up for success. The idea is
to prevent unnecessary neighborhood conflicts, by requiring that Fraternity and
Sorority (F&S) facilities be equipped for the unique conditions of Greek life. For
example, the city should require new and relocating F&S to have a single meeting
space that accommodates a minimum of 70 members. The average F&S at the
university has membership in the 80’s, while many have over 100 members. We want
to minimize conflict!
6. Incorporate GWC suggestions into code!
Throughout the UDC engagement process the Gallatin Watershed Council (GWC)
has made recommendations to help steward our water resources, while improving
usability of the code, and predictability for everyone. With subdivision review
becoming entirely administrative we really do need an ecologist on staff to make sure
that our natural resources are protected as we grow. But the code needs to do that
too! Read their latest UDC recommendations submitted last week. At a minimum,
we should incorporate their suggestion that an Aquatic Resource Delineation report
be required at the pre-application stage of development outlined in 38.710.030.
7. Midtown Neighborhood Association recommendations!
This neighborhood has shouldered the brunt of so much of the new density coming
online in Bozeman. Some developments the neighbors welcome, some they oppose,
but it has been an overwhelming game of whack-a-mole for years to try and keep up
with it all. They’ve met with Commissioners and staff, submitted their suggestions in
writing, attended open houses and hosted walks like everyone else. And yet,
their suggestions continue to be ignored. I particularly value their insights on zoning
map conflicts and parkland dedication in code. Midtown has potential as a historic
district, and so the suggestion that N. 7th from Main to Peach be rezoned B-1 could
protect this area while the Landmark Program is finished. And we’re constantly
seeing greater density in areas with LITTLE OR NO outdoor park and green space.
We are on our way to repeating the mistakes of other cities where they turn their core
neighborhoods into high-density hell-scapes where people have no relief from the
concrete and black metal jungle!
8. No B-3 expansion to E. Curtiss!
In an effort to remove areas of the zoning map where zones change mid-block, the
Church and 3 small homes on the north side of E. Curtiss between South Tracy and
South Black are being upzoned from R-2 to B-3! This is an enormous increase in
development potential that could have significant negative impacts to the S Tracy
historic district! This document details the arguments against this expansion of the B-
3 zoning district. It also highlights a poignant suggestion made by a neighbor that
actually the city-owned parking lot should be rezoned as R-A instead! It makes so
much more sense, and this is exactly the kind of great result we get when we involve
the people who live on the ground.
Thank you,
Alison B. SweeneyBernadette's Handmade JewelryBozeman MT406-404-5740alison-bernadettes.com