HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-15-25 Public Comment - M. Bateson - In defense of 70 ft height limit in B3 in UDCFrom:Mary Bateson
To:Bozeman Public Comment; Terry Cunningham; Joey Morrison; Jennifer Madgic; Douglas Fischer; Emma Bode;Chuck Winn
Subject:[EXTERNAL]In defense of 70 ft height limit in B3 in UDC
Date:Sunday, December 14, 2025 11:02:32 AM
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Date: December 14, 2025
In defense of 70 ft height limit in B3 in UDC
Dear Bozeman City Commissioners, and City Manager,
I am an old, retired, white person, part of the most privileged contingent of Bozeman
residents. A local developer proclaimed this during public comment at the Community
Development Board Meeting on November 3, 2025, referring to all the folks in the room who
he believes are hijacking the city’s agenda. Of course, this developer is not wrong about me, I
am old, retired, and very privileged to have been able to live and work in Bozeman for 44
years, and enjoy retirement for the last 3 years. Because I am old and retired, I now have time
to pay attention to activities of local Bozeman governance. No hijacking intended.
When I watched the December 9 commission meeting, I became concerned that the same
person who is so opposed to old retired white people speaking out for our city has questioned
your wise decision to limit the height in B3 to 70 feet, unless the project includes affordable
housing. He wants that decision reversed in the UDC you are voting to approve on December
16.
I am concerned because I know there is precedence for some in this commission to change
their mind when this individual makes a request. His Boutique Hotel was rejected May 20,
2025 because of the incursion into a required 35-foot watercourse setback for Bozeman
Creek. Four of you voted to reject, Fisher voted to approve. This decision was reversed by
this commission on August 5,2025 with yes votes from Fisher, Bode, and Morrison, and
dissenting votes from Cunnigham and Madgic.
So, I am worried. Will this commission reverse the December 2 decision to limit buildings in
B3 to 70 feet? Reversing this decision, and allowing buildings up to 90 feet would remove the
incentive to allow 90 foot buildings if the project includes affordable housing. Please do not
change this decision at the last minute.
Thank you for your hard work and attention.
Mary Bateson
427 N Tracy Ave.
Bozeman, MT