HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-02-26 Public Comment - D. Owen - For the consideration of Application #25296 - Rocky Mountain Flats Site PlanFrom:Dave Owen
To:Bozeman Public Comment; Nicholas Ross
Subject:[EXTERNAL]For the consideration of Application #25296 - Rocky Mountain Flats Site Plan
Date:Monday, February 2, 2026 4:27:48 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you
recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
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 ofJanuary 12, 2026 through February 3, 2026.
I am a resident who lives directly across the street from the proposed development site. I have
serious concerns regarding both the public noticing process and the substantive impacts of thisapplication 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 receive a mailed notice, nor did I observe a clearlyvisible site posting. Given my proximity to the project, this raise concerns regarding whether
noticing requirements were adequately met and whether affected residents were meaningfullyinformed.
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 housingincentives. 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 FowlerLane, neither of which are designed to accommodate spillover parking or increased traffic
volumes. Additionally, Stucky Road, a primary access corridor, is already unsafe, withfrequent accidents, poor winter driving conditions, and no emergency pull-off capacity. The
application does not adequately demonstrate how increased traffic volumes will be safelymanaged, 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. These realitiies give serious argument to the fairdefinition of affordable housing given transportation constraints (and costs) at this location.
Reducing vehicle parking in an area with no viable transportation alternatives places anunreasonable 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 ormitigation 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 BMC38.380.040, 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 andsurrounding 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, water, and environmental impacts
• Ensure full compliance with BMC 38.230.050 and 38.230.100 site plan criteria • Explain to the community why this project is appropriate now given the number of
unfilled apartments in Bozeman • Explain how the decision making authority is addressing the concerns of the community
over those of the developer of this project
Please include this letter in the official record for Application 25296.
Respectfully,Dave Owen