HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-16-25 Public Comment - M. Wiseman - Building HeightsFrom:Mike Wiseman
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Building Heights
Date:Tuesday, December 16, 2025 3:59:58 AM
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Dear CommissionersI would like to add public comment on the consideration of building heights in the B-3 andB-3C districts. I am also a member of Bozeman's Historic Preservation Advisory Board, but Iam speaking only for myself. I wholeheartedly agree with the letter submitted by theBozeman Hotel Owners' Association and support a Maximum 60' building height in thesedistricts. As an architect practicing in Bozeman for the last 20+ years, I experiencedowntown on a regular basis both professionally and personally. One of the keys to thesuccess of Bozeman's downtown is its scale and walkability. It is a pleasant and human-scaled place to be. And I agree with BHOA's assertions that massive facades, long shadowsand darkened streets will irreparably harm the vitality of these spaces. I will add to theexample cities mentioned in their letter and point toward Boise, Idaho. I am not familiarwith Boise's zoning or development standards, but their downtown is peppered withbuildings well over 60 or 70 feet. I've visited Boise several times over the last few years (mydaughter went to school there) and can attest the most vibrant parts of their downtown,where people routinely gather for meals and spend time shopping or strolling, are thestreets with the lowest adjacent buildings. These are the most 'historic' sections with themost 'character' - this is what people gravitate to. The downtown core of Bozeman isspecial and deserves protection. As an architect and a member of HPAB, I am acutelyaware of the pressures Bozeman faces as it grapples with growth while maintaining its soul.But adding height to the downtown core won't 'solve' any real issues, but will severelycompromise the existing character and potentially create unintended consequences.Thank you for your consideration.Mike Wiseman
Mike Wiseman | RA, NCARB | architecture118 | 406-404-1777 | 161 W Haley Springs Rd #103,Bozeman, MT 59718