HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-13-26 Public Comment - K. McPherson - Fowler Ave. Housing Development From: Kathleen McPherson-Glynn
To: Nicholas Ross; David Fine; Bozeman Public Comment
Subject: [EXTERNAL]Fowler Ave. Housing Development
Date: Monday,April 13,2026 4:19:48 PM
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Greetings.
I have lived in Harvest Creek on Harmon Way,just a block from this proposed site, for
nearly 20 years. My family chose this location for the quiet neighborhood it has been for
the last 20 years. Both my children attend(ed) the schools close by. It has been a great
family neighborhood community for us. We have also treasured the little woods and trail
we have over where the new road is going to be constructed. I walk this trail daily with
my dog, so you can imagine how upset and surprised I was when I learned it would soon
be demolished to make way for the construction of a busy road. I was even more upset
when I heard a high-density housing unit was being proposed as well. Neither of these
proposals make sense for our Harvest Creek Community.
There are numerous reasons this housing complex simply does not make sense. I am all
about affordable housing for Bozeman residents, but how is a tiny unit going for$450K—
$650K"affordable" or low-income? I was born and raised and have lived in Bozeman my
entire 54 years of life. I know it is incredibly expensive to live here. I also know that the
current vacancy rate in Bozeman is in the double digits according to the Bozeman Daily
Chronicle. "The vacancy rate has dropped by a percentage point per quarter since the
third quarter of 2025 and is now about 12%, said Kara Hogan, with real estate firm
Sterling CRE." This is from April 3, 2026. So my question is why do we need to build even
more housing when there is currently a surplus in Bozeman? And saying it is "affordable
housing?" Far from it. You have to be making a lot of money to afford a house that is
around half a million dollars!
This proposed development is also going to bring in a lot more traffic to our quiet
neighborhood. The roads in Harvest Creek are not compatible to handle the amount of
traffic that will be generated from this housing complex's 84 units, with an estimated 168
cars. Plus, parking all of those cars? Where is all the parking for this plan? Finally, with
regard to all that traffic funneling through a neighborhood with young children walking to
school, I suggest not having any Harvest Creek road connection to this new
neighborhood. Instead, provide only entrances on Fowler Ave..
Additionally, the proposed zoning would allow for these units to be packed in at a rate of
18 units per acre, and the structures can be up to 5 stories tall. This is simply not what is
needed in this area. Rather, an alternative would be to zone for a lower unit per acre
ratio of say 8 units/acre, only 1-2 stories high. The green space must be saved as well.
PEOPLE NEED NATURE. Kids need parks.
My last thought is with regards to a promise made by the City when the land was
originally purchased by the City of Bozeman in 2017: "Preserve existing trees, open
spaces, and irrigation ditch." I really hope the City follows through on this. This area is a
popular trail for walking and children exploring nature. We don't need a high-rise,
sardine-packed housing unit with no green space, little parking, and congested
roadways. We need TRULY affordable housing with green space and room for humans to
breathe and form community.
I URGE you to reconsider this plan and head back to the zoning board and revise it to
better suit Bozeman and Harvest Creek families.
Sincerely,
Kathleen McPherson
Kathleen McPherson Glynn
Currently Reading: Portrait of an Unknown Woman Daniel Silva
Current Audiobook: Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson