HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-28-26 Public Comment - D. West - Fowler Housing Development From: David West
To: Bozeman Public Comment
Subject: [EXTERNAL][SUSPECTED SPAM] [Possible Scam Fraud]Fowler Housing Development
Date: Tuesday,April 28,2026 10:58:10 AM
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I owned a property management company in Oakland, Ca. During the late 1980's and early
90's we managed property for the city of Berkeley—no other company would. What Bozeman
is doing reminds me of those experiences.
My first involvement was not as an agent for the city but for the developer and then for the
HOA. The project was the Delaware Street historic reconstruction. The city offered the
developer development bonds and retained overall approval—if the developer didn't perform
as directed the bonds disappeared. The original construction(I880's) included heart of
redwood,painted, and the city required the same (at a considerable cost to the developer).
There was an additional caveat—a cap of sales prices. The city achieved its objective at no
risk to the taxpayers and the project was a winner. After the kinks were worked out the
owners were thrilled with their new homes.
Five years later the city acted as its own developer. Berkeley took a Sacramento
neighborhood, mainly of elderly, forcing the owners to sell at a very low price and then built
units that these same poor people could not afford. The new construction was fair to poor
quality with terrible floor plans. We didn't manage the completed project.
Poor design and quality are strong disincentives to qualified renters. Financial pressures cause
any owner to lower tenant qualifying standards. This leads to an increase in neighborhood
crime and increased wear on the buildings.
From what I understand, the Fowler Housing Development will fall into the later category
with some interesting similarities: the need to change zoning and setback; building footprints
that don't allow reasonable interior space.
From what I understand of the plan, fire truck(ladder truck) access would be impossible (no
turnaround). With insufficient parking it is foreseeable that fire lanes will be blocked. This
oversight in planning endangers not only the residents of the new buildings but also adjoining
properties.
Given the current rules of the game (setbacks, zoning, etc.), a street that could accommodate a
ladder rig,parking and some back yard, it appears the resulting interior space would dictate
narrow halls and stairwells and probably small rooms. These interior constrictions lead to
higher maintenance costs and lower values,both on initial sale and on resale. Unless the city
is successful in setting new rules for itself(setback, rezoning) I envision the final plan will put
garages under the units to increase interior space. This means that elderly and disabled
persons will not be accommodated.
Moreover, I don't know how the city plans to honor its commitment made at acquisition to
preserve trees and open space. I didn't find anything that mandates a sale of all units at
completion. Certainly that could/should be the plan,but is the target buyer someone with
$80,000 cash to put down and then pay $4000 (my guess)per month or will this be a taxpayer-
subsidized project. What if the market continues to drop—will the city take the loss or rent
out the property? Moreover, I don't believe development is the forte of any city—subsidy is
one thing, risky development backed by the unsuspecting taxpayer is another.
David E. West
925.464-3539