HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-18-26 Public Comment - M. L. Osman - NCOD guidelines need teethFrom:Mary Lou Osman
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]NCOD guidelines need teeth
Date:Tuesday, February 17, 2026 9:26:02 AM
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Dear HPAB and City Commssion,
Bozeman residents value historic preservation, and we need to have NCOD guidelines with
teeth to ensure that new development in the historic core of Bozeman is compatible with theexisting neighborhood.
According to the results of a community survey released in October 2024 by the City of
Bozeman and the Community Collaborative consultants, residents want to see more incentivesfor the reuse of older or historic buildings and design that compliments the historic appearance
of the neighborhood. Many expressed concern with the loss of historic buildings and increasedbuilding height.
During the UDC update, we heard that the Standards for the Certificate of Appropriateness
have no teeth. It is the request of the public that the standards for the issuance of a Certificateof Appropriateness be rewritten to be objective and enforceable, especially as pertains to
height, mass, and architectural elements.
Standards should be made binding. Any guidelines should be used to help implement thosebinding standards. And, it should be very clear in the code that new development within the
NCOD must also abide by the standards.
We thank the City of Bozeman for undertaking this important update of the historicpreservation code and look forward to seeing the Landmark Program as a whole.
Sincerely, Mary Lou Osman