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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-28-26 Public Comment - H. Higgs - Harvest Creek HOA Press Release_ April 27, 2025From:Heather Higgs Subject:[EXTERNAL]Harvest Creek HOA Press Release: April 27, 2025 Date:Monday, April 27, 2026 9:16:21 PM Attachments:image.png CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. HARVEST CREEKOWNERS’ ASSOCIATIONBozeman, MT 59718 PRESS RELEASEContact: Heather Higgs press@harvestcreekmt.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 27, 2026 Board Deals Disappointment to Westside Community Bozeman, MT. On April 20, 2026, the City of Bozeman’s Community Development Board voted 7-0 to approve the application of Emil Anderson to annex his land to the City and designate it as R-B zoning. The Board took this action despite overwhelming public comments urging the Board not to approve the application and/or approve a zoning of R-A for the land. Mr. Anderson’s representative, Mr. Chris Nauman of Sanbell, told the Board that the differences between heights in the R-A and R-B zones, based on heights of the wall plates allowed, account for a difference of 11 feet. He said it would be possible to fit a four-story building within those dimensions. Public comments emphasized the concerns the community has both with the increased density of housing in that area as well as the detrimental effects it will have on traffic safety and parking. The Board acknowledged receiving over 63 written comments as well as over a dozen speakers at the meeting who spoke in opposition. The Board voted despite staff’s acknowledgement that the zoning designation was immaterial to the principal need of the annexation which is to build Fowler Road. When asked by the Board, Mr. Nick Ross, the City’s Transportation and Engineering Director, opined the zoning was because the applicant requested it. The Board seemed inclined to approve the application in order to “maintain” what they favorably perceived to be the patchwork build pattern of development of the City in the surrounding area. The Board was not convinced that R-A zoning offered as much variety of housing options as R-B zoning. Mr. Ross also reported to the Board that excepting the roundabout, there are currently no other plans along Annie Street for traffic calming, and the City responds to expansion of speed or traffic through its Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program. He noted there were no issues now that he was aware of. Earlier, in the meeting, the Board received a special presentation from Mr. Brit Fontenot, the City’s Director of Economic Development. The presentation was an Overview of the Economic Development Strategy Issue Plan of the City of Bozeman. During the presentation, the Board was told that the City plans a one mill levy for the purpose of funding the City’s affordable housing initiatives. Ms. Heather Higgs, Board member of Harvest Creek Owners’ Association, was present at the meeting and urged the Board to reject the application as it was deficient because it did not evaluate compatibility with the exiting uses in the area. Afterwards, Ms. Higgs expressed her disappointment with the Board’s decision and noted the City will apparently be raising taxes to build affordable housing while concurrently diminishing the market values of homes within Harvest Creek. Ms. Higgs thanks those who spoke or wrote to the Board on this matter and urges the public to make a strong showing at the May 5th City Commission meeting. End.