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Departure Request
Sage Peak and Alder Ridge Apartments,
Graf St. Apartments, LLC
Date: 08.29.25
Initial Departure Summary:
Departure Request – Building Entrances (38.510.030.C / Section 38.510.030.3.a)
Requirement: "Building entrances must be visible and directly accessible from the
street."
Departure Criteria for Building entrances: Block frontages with steep slopes
and/or those facing busy arterial streets and very limited pedestrian traffic may
warrant some flexibility to this standard (particularly in residential districts);
Project Context Summary:
This project is located on a site bounded by public streets on all four sides. Due to existing
topographical conditions—including grade differentials of up to two feet between building
entrances and adjacent sidewalks—providing direct sidewalk connections from the public
right-of-way to each individual dwelling unit is not practical. In addition to these physical
constraints, the project ownership has prioritized resident privacy and security and
therefore prefers not to have individual unit entries directly accessible from the street.
As an alternative, the proposed site design includes a network accessible sidewalks that
connect the public sidewalk system to a shared entry at each building. All residential units
are then accessed internally from these main entries. This approach maintains pedestrian
connectivity, supports walkability, and promotes a cohesive frontage experience, aligning
with the intent of the block frontage standards in BMC 38.510.010.A by fostering an active,
safe, and engaging public realm while responding appropriately to site-specific constraints.
Support for Departure:
We request a departure from the standard requirement for individual sidewalks from the
public street to each dwelling unit. Instead, we propose shared pedestrian connections to
the main entries of each building, which then provide internal circulation to the individual
units.
Meeting the Intent of BMC 38.510.010.A
Per BMC 38.510.010.A, the purpose of block frontage standards is to:
“Create an inviting and comfortable pedestrian environment, enhance street-level activity
and safety, and support walkability through a connected, human-scaled streetscape.”
Our proposal supports and upholds this intent in the following ways:
1. Inviting and Safe Pedestrian Environment
An entry of each building are located and visually connected to the public sidewalks,
ensuring legibility and a sense of arrival. 5’-0” wide sidewalks from the public right-
Departures for Site Plan Review
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of-way direct pedestrians safely to these main building entrances, avoiding steep
or impractical routes across grade-challenged areas.
2. Enhanced Connectivity
Although not connecting directly to each unit, the proposed pedestrian system
offers continuous access to every building from the public street, which maintains
functional connectivity and supports the broader goals of a walkable streetscape.
3. Human-Scaled Streetscape
The design incorporates clear pedestrian pathways, landscaping, and defined entry
areas that foster an engaging pedestrian realm and reinforce the identity of the
streetscape—aligning with the Community Plan’s emphasis on neighborhood
character and placemaking.
Support from the Bozeman Community Plan (2020)
As outlined in the Bozeman Community Plan, Theme 5: A City That Prioritizes Accessibility
and Mobility Choices, the goal is to:
“Encourage development that is pedestrian-oriented and supportive of multimodal
transportation.”
Our site design meets this goal by providing:
1. Logical pedestrian circulation that connects all buildings to surrounding public
streets;
2. Safe and accessible routes that accommodate users of all ages and abilities,
especially important given the grade variations on site;
3. Efficient land use that supports infill development while maintaining a walkable and
cohesive block frontage.
Conclusion
While this proposal departs from a strict interpretation of sidewalk access to each
individual unit, it satisfies the intent and purpose of the block frontage and pedestrian
access requirements. The design supports the community’s vision for a walkable,
connected, and high-quality urban environment, consistent with both the Bozeman
Municipal Code (BMC 38.510.010.A) and the Bozeman Community Plan (2020).
We respectfully request approval of this departure based on the strong alignment of our
proposal with the underlying objectives of the code.