HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-15-25 Public Comment - J. Davis - Born and raised in BozemanFrom:Jack Davis
To:Bozeman Goverment Study Commission; Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Born and raised in Bozeman
Date:Tuesday, December 9, 2025 2:22:50 PM
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Bozeman City Commission
December 9, 2025
Re: Concerning the New UDC
Dear
Commissioners,
My name is Susan Delin Davis. I was born and raised in Bozeman. I attended Longfellow Elementary
School, Emerson Middle School, Bozeman Junior High School, Bozeman High School, graduating in
1967. I graduated from MSU with a B.S degree in Art in 1973. My husband and I operated a building
maintenance business in Bozeman from 1982-2010. We had contracts with Gallatin County for their
buildings in Bozeman and the City of Bozeman buildings for 20 to 25 years. We contracted several
banks for 6 to 20 years. Our largest contract was with the phone company, beginning with Mountain
Bell, then U.S. West and finally Qwest, after almost 25 years – for the entire state! We also owned an
antique business in Bozeman from 1988-2017. Our last self-employed business was printing on
fabric for 15 years and we did business with many national parks and quilt shops throughout the
United States. My husband and I have years of experience in dealing with professional people. I am
very familiar with Bozeman. The current changes are benefiting the developers and are NOT
WORKING FOR THE RESIDENTS ! Where has all the input from Bozemanites over the years been
filed?
Bozeman is my hometown and I remember what Bozeman was before all the high-rise
developments. I remember when people could park in front of the homes they owned in residential
areas and did not have to fight for a parking spot. I know that change happens. Bozeman’s changes
have been spurred on by greedy developers who have legally “raped’ Bozeman for their own
personal monetary gain. Bozeman is an anomaly, because everyone in the country wants to move
here. Unfortunately, many cannot. The wealth that has moved to our area has driven prices so
ridiculously high it’s impossible for the working class and for the retired Bozeman folks to remain.
What a tragedy. All for the benefit of out-of-state developers who will leave in a flash when they are
done EXPLOITING BOZEMAN. Bozeman should be FOR Bozemanites!
The Commission talks about making Bozeman a WALKABLE city. Ha! Everyone who comes here has a
car, loaded with outdoor gear for hiking, biking, skiing, kayaking, camping, etc. They need a PARKING
SPOT to put their car in, to participate in all the activities that the surrounding area offers. That is
precisely why they come here in the first place. My question is “Where are all the new people,
moving here, supposed to park?” The Commission keeps reducing the amount of parking that the
developers should be responsible for in new developments. It just doesn’t make any sense.
Your affordable housing ideas are never going to work as long as there are Airbnb’s, VRBO’S and
other types of short-term rentals. Investors swoop in and buy up any affordable properties to rent
out and make a killing doing it. Young families and actual working folks cannot compete with these
investors. Thus, Bozeman has an extremely tight pool of employees to draw from and provide
needed services.
The NEW solutions that the current City Commission have come up with and want to implement as
soon as they can, are pushing the envelope. The recent election results were the outcome of
Bozeman residents voting for a change. Alison Sweeny is that change. All the old ideas have NOT
been working. Bozemanites have hope that with a new person and her experience, that better
working solutions can be reached FOR THE BENEFIT OF OUR RESIDENTS THIS TIME, AND NOT FOR
THE DEVELOPERS!!!! You, as the current Commission, have the responsibility to Bozeman, to wait on
implementing the new UDC. These changes will be around for years and need to be considered
carefully. Alison Sweeney, “THE VOTER’S CHOICE,” needs to have the opportunity to use her
expertise. The old Commission has had their chance over the years. Now is the time for a change.
Don’t neglect your sworn duty to Bozeman.
Thank you, Commissioners for all your hard work over the years. I know that it is a challenging job
and it is easy to criticize. Please put BOZEMAN FIRST for all our sakes and wait until Alison Sweeney
is sworn in. Give her a chance to help my Bozeman too.
Thank you,
Susan and Jack Davis
247 Mill Creek Drive
Bozeman, MT 59718
Cell: 1-406-581-1901
Land Line: 1-406-551-2342
wonderland@montana.com