HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-01-25 Public Comment - J. Moeckel - Final UDC suggestionsFrom:Juliet Moeckel
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Final UDC suggestions
Date:Monday, December 1, 2025 12:30:33 PM
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, and Commissioners,
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 BozemanCoalition 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 theactual transition.
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.
3). Keep the Bon Ton and Centennial Park neighborhoods as R-A, the way they are shown inthe 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, perthe 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 thataccommodates 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 theUDC. 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 NeighborhoodAssociation detailed in their public comment, including those with regards to zoning map
conflicts, parkland dedication, and transportation standards in code.
8). Do not expand the B-3 zoning district to East Curtiss. The neighbors have submittedmany interesting histories of their homes, which they have lovingly restored or renovated
under strict Historic Preservation Guidelines, and with considerable expense. Expanding B-3could result in negative impacts to this historic district, especially if the zone edge transition
loophole remains!
Thank you for incorporating these code improvements in the final Unified Development Code
update.
* In addition to the above letter by the BBC (which we completely agree with) we would liketo stress that your decisions do affect the quality of life for many Bozeman residents. We walk
by the Black Olive building frequently and cannot help but notice that the historic Blackmoreapartments across the street are now in the shade (cast by the Black Olive ) for most of the
winter. Our winters are long and sun and light are important. Tall buildings, especially wheninappropriately placed, have a detrimental effect. Our streets in the downtown neighborhoods
are often narrow , increasing these effects. Please incorporate zone edge transitions and keepthe maximum building height and 60ft.
William and Juliet Moeckel