HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-28-26 Public Comment - L. Weinheimer - Rockymountainflats From: LeeAnne Weinheimer
To: Bozeman Public Comment
Subject: [EXTERNAL]Rockymountainflats
Date: Tuesday,January 27,2026 5:52:07 PM
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Dear Director of Community Development,
I am submitting this letter as formal public comment regarding Application 25296—Rocky
Mountain Flats Site Plan, located at 5532 Fowler Lane, during the public comment period of
January 12, 2026 through February 3, 2026.
I am a resident who lives in the Meadow subdivision.
I have serious concerns regarding both the public noticing process and the substantive impacts
of this application as currently proposed. Although the application indicates that adjacent
owners were mailed notice on January 9, 2026 and that a site post was installed, I did not
observe a clearly visible site posting. Given my proximity to the project, this raise concerns
regarding whether noticing requirements were adequately met and whether affected residents
were meaningfully informed.
This proposal includes 296 multi-family units across three large buildings, while requesting a
reduced parking ratio of 0.75 spaces per dwelling unit under the Type C affordable housing
incentives. Based on real-world conditions in this area, this parking supply is inadequate
particularly given that many households own two or more vehicles. Overflow parking will
inevitably burden surrounding roads, including Meah Lane and Fowler Lane, neither of which
are designed to accommodate spillover parking or increased traffic volumes. Additionally,
Stucky Road, a primary access corridor, is already unsafe, with frequent accidents, poor winter
driving conditions, and no emergency pull-off capacity.
The application does not adequately demonstrate how increased traffic volumes will be safely
managed, raising concerns under BMC 38.230.050 related to safe and efficient circulation.
The site lacks meaningful access to public transportation, schools, employment centers,
grocery stores, and medical services. Reducing vehicle parking in an area with no viable
transportation alternatives places an unreasonable burden on both future residents and existing
neighbors.
This site has historically functioned as a wildlife corridor and habitat, regularly used by elk,
deer, and cranes, including for breeding and nursery purposes. It is unclear what analysis or
mitigation has been undertaken to address wildlife displacement or long-term environmental
impacts associated with this development. The application relies extensively on Type C
Affordable Housing Incentives under BMC 38.380.040, including: One additional story
of height(up to approximately 55-56 feet)
• Reduced parking requirements
• No minimum lot area per dwelling While affordable housing is important, the
cumulative effect of these incentives results in a development scale and intensity that appears
incompatible with existing infrastructure and surrounding conditions. I respectfully request
that the City:
• Re-evaluate compliance with public noticing requirements
• Require a more robust traffic and safety analysis
• Reconsider the adequacy of parking provisions
• Provide clarity regarding wildlife and environmental impacts
• Ensure full compliance with BMC 38.230.050 and 38.230.100 site plan criteria •
Please include this letter in the official record for Application 25296. Sincerely,
LeeAnne Weinheimer