HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-16-25 Public Comment - S. Boyd - UDC updatesFrom:Scott and Frances Boyd
To:Terry Cunningham; Joey Morrison; Douglas Fischer; Jennifer Madgic; Emma Bode; Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]UDC updates
Date:Tuesday, December 16, 2025 8:07:30 AM
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I am writing to express my opposition to any efforts to increase the maximum heights in downtown. There
can be no mistaking that doing so without limitation would only serve to increase the supply of luxury
housing, thereby exacerbating our affordability problem. It isn't difficult to imagine the premium that the
tallest building in downtown Bozeman would command, commensurate with the views it would bring. Not
only that, but these buildings would compromise the viewsheds for an innumerable number of
Bozemanites.
I also want to register my objection to the discretion that we've given staff in the UDC. Since the public is
no longer allowed to participate in any development decision, and because the premise for all of the
changes was to give the developer certainty, such that if they met the rules, projects would be
administratively approved. It seems to me that administrative discretion is no longer warranted. In other
words, if a situation arises and it isn't expressly addressed through our code, then staff should not be
allowed to grant an administrative exception/deviation/variance based solely on their opinion and/or
discretion. It is only fair that in these circumstances the public be afforded an opportunity to weigh in on
the situation. Additionally, if an exception is needed, it should be the commission granting it in a
transparent and public way rather than administratively. Staff can help the commission make that
decision based on their opinion, but the public should be allowed to participate, since by definition, the
situation has not been addressed by our code, and the public did not get to participate in the crafting of
that decision. Fair is fair.
As an example, we're proposing to give our transportation director blanket authority to grant exceptions
to any transportation development-related situation based solely on his opinion. This is a new power and
is an overreach. Existing code allows for applicants to petition for a waiver, and further expanding the
director's authority to exempt an intersection from mitigation is unnecessary. Similarly, we should remove
the community development director's discretion in all cases...remember Anna Bentley's "aside" email for
the Guthrie?
Lastly, as it relates to the new transportation changes proposed in the UDC update, changing the design
year from 15 to 5 years is a clear transfer of development costs from the developer to the public. No valid
reason for this change was given. The state and Gallatin County both use a 20-year window, and there is
no justification for shortening it. Growth is no longer paying for growth if you permit this change.
Regards,
Scott Boyd
Bozeman