HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-31-26 Public Comment - N. Nakamura - Support for Interim Zoning Ordinance while NCOD is being updated From: Natsuki Nakamura
To: Bozeman Public Comment; Erin George
Subject: [EXTERNAL]Support for Interim Zoning Ordinance while NCOD is being updated
Date: Thursday,March 26,2026 5:18:18 PM
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Please share this comment with the HPAB in advance of their upcoming meeting and with the
City Commission. As a disclosure, I am a member of the EVB, but not writing in that
capacity. I am writing as a renter in Bozeman and a member of the Better Bozeman Coalition
action committee.
Dear HPAB and City Commission:
I am writing in support of the idea of the City Commission adopting an Interim Zoning
Ordinance (IZO) to temporarily prohibit demolitions and new large developments (e.g. over
30,000 sq ft)within the NCOD until the update is complete and until the City is able to hire a
new Historic Preservation Officer. A local government may adopt an IZO as "an urgency
measure to regulate or prohibit uses that may conflict with a zoning proposal that the
governing body is considering." NCOD guidelines are about to undergo an overhaul.
Optimistically, updated NCOD guidelines will be implemented early 2027. An IZO to pause
demolitions and new large developments within the NCOD is not about preserving things in
amber; it is about making sure we don't lose precious assets - historic or cultural buildings,
mature trees, affordable housing -before predictable and enforceable code is put into place.
Waiting and seeing what kind of development is proposed(instead of proactively
implementing an IZO) is like a loaded gun and puts the City Staff and Commission in the
position of not being able to deny problematic projects or demolitions.
I have also written a recent guest column in the BDC on this issue for those interested.
Thank you for your consideration,
Natsuki Nakamura