HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-17-26 Public Comment - D. Carty - Public Comment for HPAB meeting 6_17_26_ Action Item F.1_ Demolition CodeFrom:Daniel Carty
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Cc:Rebecca Harbage; Erin George; Jennifer Madgic; Alison Sweeney
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Public Comment for HPAB meeting 6-17-26: Action Item F.1: Demolition Code
Date:Wednesday, June 17, 2026 6:57:17 AM
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June 17, 2026; 7:00 a.m.
[Please distribute to Historic Preservation Advisory Board members before their meeting
tonight. Thank you.]
Dear Historic Preservation Advisory Board (HPAB):
I am writing to comment on Action Item F.1 - Work Session to Continue Discussion ofLandmark Program Eligibility Criteria and Demolition Regulations (as follows):
(1) Re the hiring of a new Historic Preservation Officer: Please ask City staff to explain its
reasoning for the City not yet hiring a new Historic Preservation Officer (HPO). That said,when a new HPO is hired, this position should be independent of the Community
Development Department.
(2) Current demolition regulations, especially within the NCOD, are too weak to prevent theunnecessary demolition of contributing historic structures or structures that would be
considered contributing if the City were keeping up with surveying and establishing historicdistricts. That said, the City's demolition COA process should be amended to include:
(a) Willful (deliberate) neglect of existing structures should be made illegal.
(b) The City should implement a substantial surcharge, demolition fee, or penalty—e.g.,$100,000 to $250,000—for anyone considering a demolition COA permit review. This
seems to be a viable way to dissuade real estate speculators from demolishing dwellingsand instead entice them to restore and refurbish dwellings. The money collected from such
a fee process could be dispensed as grants to worthy applicants pursuing funds forpertinent upgrades and enhancements to their naturally occurring historic structures.
(3) The City should implement a deconstruction ordinance to salvage all reusable materials
from structures that are granted a demolition COA.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment.
Daniel Carty
213 N. 3rd Ave
Bozeman, MT 59715