HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-28-26 Public Comment - M. Bateson - Design Standard Modifications for AHO revisions - 2026-2027 PriorityFrom:Mary Bateson
To:Bozeman Public Comment; Chuck Winn; Joey Morrison; Douglas Fischer; Emma Bode; Jennifer Madgic; AlisonSweeney
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Design Standard Modifications for AHO revisions - 2026-2027 Priority
Date:Sunday, April 26, 2026 3:23:35 PM
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Dear City Commissioners,
Thank you for including Section 2. “Bridge the Affordability Gap” in your 2026-2027 Bozeman
City Commission Priorities. Section b. is “Review and revise the affordable housing ordinance.
In the document FINAL Commission Priorities Work Plan-Winn, under point a. Improve
housing access through a variety of programs and strategies. Is a section labeled “Policy”
which suggests passing AHO revisions to incentivize affordable units and include for-sale unit
and cash-in-lieu. One of the suggestions is to modify design standards by reducing setbacks,relaxing landscaping requirements, and modifying open space requirements in exchange for
affordability.
I strongly oppose these kinds of incentives for developers to build affordable housing. It will
be an invitation to degrade areas of our city and produce places that no one would choose to
live. People who need affordable housing do not need to be relegated to places that have a
lower standard of livability. Bozeman needs to include green space for trees to grow in places
where people live.
Thank you for considering this as you solidify your priorities for the City of Bozeman for 2026-
2027.
Sincerely, Mary Bateson, Bozeman resident