HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-28-26 Public Comment - K. Sinay - Application 25-709 The Depot On ChurchFrom:Ken Sinay
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Cc:ken Sinay
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Application 25-709 The Depot On Church
Date:Saturday, February 28, 2026 5:00:37 PM
Attachments:Application 25709 Depot On S. Church Comments.docx
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Feb. 28, 2026
To:
City of Bozeman Department of Community Development
Attn: Susana Montana, Planner
[Note…My Gosh! You could not have a better Name!]
From:
Ken Sinay
Resident at 411 South Church Ave., Bozeman 59715
Re:
Application 25-709. The Depot on Church
Comments:
Regarding (Project 25-709):
1 - There seems to be a significant conflict regarding the planning of this project.
In The Depot On Church 00 Development Review Application (City Website Community Site
Plan CCOA) dated November 17, 2025 the proposed height is indicated as 70 ft.
Again, in the Application Summary also dated November 17, 2025 the height is indicated as 70
ft.
However, the Notice of Site Plan and Certificate Of Appropriateness Applications posting at
112 S. Church, as well as on the Bozeman Planning website page indicates 82 ft.
It seems that planning has not been adequately performed when the height has changed by
12 ft. and all the previous plans and city discussion related to 70 ft. This certainly has an
impact on the design and engineering of the structure and all services.
2 – I realize there have been traffic reviews regarding this project, however, considering the
cumulative impacts of traffic and parking in relation to residential and retail activities at the
site of 112 S. Church, pedestrian and vehicular traffic at E. Babcock and S. Church, the
intersection at S. Wallace and East Babcock (pedestrian and vehicular traffic, and the
additional large building developments in a 2 block radius, significant safety and congestion
issues are inevitable. Congestion issues already occur.
3 – Neighborhood Conservation and Overlay District considerations
Chapter 3 Section E regarding Multi-family housing emphasizes that it is a goal that new
buildings be compatible with the context of the neighborhood.
It then lists actual guidelines to achieve the City of Bozeman Policy:
1. Retaining an existing single household building that contributes to the establishedcharacter of the neighborhood in a multi-household project is encouraged.2. Minimize the perceived scale of a multi-household building.3. Use traditional features that will convey a human scale.4. A new multi-household building should be within the range of heights seen traditionallyin the neighborhood.5. A primary building face should not exceed the width of a typical single householdbuilding in a similar context .6. The proportions of window and door openings should be similar tothose used traditionally in the neighborhood.7. Brick, stone and painted wood are preferred primary building materials.8. Orient a primary entrance to the street, when feasible.9. Provide some useful, functional common open space that can be enjoyed by all residentsin the development.10. Minimize the visual impacts of multi-household garages.11. Design a surface lot with landscaping.
The Depot On Church 25-709 Development is in total conflict with these “guidelines.” This
project is obviously not “compatible with the context of the neighborhood."
Perhaps it is difficult to enforce development “guidelines,” but guidelines exist under the
assumption that guidelines are understood to achieve commonly beneficial goals and values.
When goals and values are not shared by developers, then it is to be expected that issues will
occur, and property developers will compromise existing property owners and the community.
The purpose of public comment is to allow the community to stop a type of development that
compromises the neighborhood. The purpose of the NCOD is to provide acceptable
parameters for development and comment. They do not stop development.
The Depot on Church, and much of the development of recent years is degrading the town of
Bozeman, and in particular, degrading neighborhoods where people have met the NCOD
guidelines in relation to theirown homes. It is wrong for developments like this, and I would
propose that it is illegal for developments like this, to compromise historic neighborhoods.
This type of development also degrades the entire Historic Downtown Bozeman
District. Frankly, even 70 feet is too high. 70 to 90 feet is higher than the neighborhood trees.
Finally, why does the City not encourage development of this sort on North
7th Street? Without a doubt, developers focus on the Historic Main Street area to capitalize
on the existing neighborhood with no regard for the impact on that neighborhood. They
operate in a realm of self-interest.
Once historic objects and character are destroyed, they will never be regained. You have an
important job, and I hope…mission.
I thank you for reading my comments.
Ken Sinay