HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-01-25 Public Comment - B. Neuman - Final UDC suggestionsFrom:Bonnie
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Final UDC suggestions
Date:Sunday, November 30, 2025 4:16:59 PM
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Hello Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and Commissioners,
Since you have stacked this meeting right after a holiday, during the middle of a workday, for no apparently good
reason, I want to ensure my input is on the record.
Most of us don’t have the time and honestly, the energy, to police you all.
Some of our communities best and staunchest advocates are here to help carry that load for the rest of us.
Just because my letter is not handwritten by me, entirely in my own words, it ABSOLUTELY speaks to my wishes
and requests to be considered on the UDC!
Frankly, UDC decisions should wait until after a new commission is seated!
I'm writing today to ask for some additional improvements to the development code before final adoption. I
generally support the recommendations submitted by the Better Bozeman Coalition in November and available on
their website resources page.
Here are a few more:
1). Remove the loophole in the Zone Edge Transition code that would allow developers to cede a few feet or even
inches to increase the right-of-way, thereby getting out of building the actual transition. This needs to happen!!!
Hearing city staff gloat about this loophole as buildings like the Henry pollute our landscape and sit adjacent,
shadowing historically registered buildings, is just straight up wrong. Seriously, how can you not see that!?!
2). Cap height in the B-3 zone at 60 feet as required by state law SB-243, and only award extra height through the
AHO incentives, so that we get affordable housing. Duh!! This only makes sense!
3). Keep the Bon Ton and Centennial Park neighborhoods as R-A, the way they are shown in the proposed map,
while adopting the Existing Building Alternative to allow structures over 35 years old to internally divide into 4
units.
4). Add the word "maximum" to the section of code in 38.410.010.B Natural Environment, per the Bozeman Tree
Coalitions recommendations. Our Sensitive Lands Plan actually uses this language, so it should be incorporated in
code.
5). Require new and relocating frats and sororities to have a single gathering space that accommodates a minimum
of 70 people. We should aim to avoid conflicts we've seen in the past so that both residential neighborhoods and
Greek Houses can thrive.
6). Gallatin Watershed Council has made many workable suggestions for improving the UDC. Please require an
aquatic resource delineation report at pre-application as well as other recommendations from their public comment
submitted November 21st.
7). Please incorporate some of the recommendations from the Midtown Neighborhood Association detailed in their
public comment, including those with regards to zoning map conflicts, parkland dedication, and transportation
standards in code. You have ignored Midtown. This is not ok. They are just as important as Andy Holloran even if
they don't line your pockets. Yea, I am angry with you all and how you have turned your back on Bozeman for
greed.
8). Do not expand the B-3 zoning district to East Curtiss. The neighbors have submitted many interesting histories
of their homes, which they have lovingly restored or renovated under strict Historic Preservation Guidelines, and
with considerable expense. Expanding B-3 could result in negative impacts to this historic district, especially if thezone edge transition loophole remains! Again. duh!!! This only makes sense and E. Curtiss doesn’t need anyhighrises, thank you! Seriously, why would anyone think this is a good idea? How does this make any sense?
Thank you for incorporating these code improvements in the final Unified Development Code update.
Respectfully,
Bonnie