HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-18-26 Public Comment - J. and J. Jelinski - Interim Zoning Ordinance and Building HeightFrom:JACK and JANE JELINSKI
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Interim Zoning Ordinance and Building Height
Date:Wednesday, March 18, 2026 11:05:06 AM
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To: Mayor Morrison, Deputy Mayor Fischer, Commissioner Madgic,
Commissioner Bode and Commissioner Sweeney
March 18, 2026
We strenuously oppose allowing 90 foot high buildings in the historic
neighborhood core. Please think about where we live. It often snows here - a
lot. Ninety foot high buildings in the Historic Core will make snow removal for
cars and pedestrians virtually impossible. And they will not contribute to our
goal to create affordable housing for the missing middle. These massive
buildings destroy the sense of place that has characterized historic
neighborhoods for a century and have contributed to the quality of life of the
entire community. Our built infrastructure is not designed for such high
density buildings; it would need to be redesigned and rebuilt at great expense
to local residents. Parking problems are already an issue due to the rapid
growth of our city and our urban forest is compromised by the high walls built
to occupy lots from curb to curb, shadowing existing homes.
Your adopted priorities are violated by the proliferation of monstrously tall
buildings with no transition between residential neighborhoods, so really, is the
unstated priority of this commission to maximize the profitability of out of state
real estate corporations?
You need to be reminded that the Intermountain Seismic Belt runs through the
middle of Gallatin County and is very prone to earthquakes. In fact, the USGS
ranks us as seismic zone number 4 – the same as San Francisco. Ninety foot tall
buildings will kill a lot of people when our big earthquake happens.
Please adopt an Interim Zoning Ordinance and implement a moratorium on
large developments while you update the NCOD to protect quality
neighborhoods. It is not too late to refocus on your adopted priorities of
quality of life and managed growth. We applaud your current efforts to engage
your community in planning the future of Bozeman. Please listen. Our
attention to your dozens of meetings, your surveys, and your committees have
become exhausting to those of us who are already engaged. It is time to
pause, catch our breath and consider what policies will in fact contribute to
achieving your adopted goals and priorities.
Respectfully submitted
Jack and Jane Jelinski
433 N Tracy Ave
Bozeman, MT 59715
406-587-8367