HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-18-26 Public Comment - R. Rydell - HPAB discussion of demolition From: Robert Rvdell
To: Bozeman Public Comment
Subject: [EXTERNAL]HPAB discussion of demolition
Date: Thursday,June 18,2026 12:01:43 PM
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June 18, 2026
Dear Commissioners and Historic Preservation Advisory Board Members: Thank you for
the opportunity to attend the meeting of the Historic Preservation Advisory Board on
June 17th. And thankyou foryour attention to the matter of demolishing properties
around the town.
The matter of defining terms came up several times. What I didn't hear was any
definition of"demolition." The word entered the English language in the late 16th
century, not the happiest time in human history. Here are some synonyms for
"demolition": ravage, sack, destruction, devastation, havoc, extinction, loss, dash to
pieces. I would encourage you to embed in City code a definition of"demolition"that
captures these meanings. Most succinctly, "demolition" means "to destroy." This is
not just a matter of semantics. It bears directly on why the demolition of structures
demands consideration of a related concept: "collateral damage." Based on what I
heard at last night's meeting of the Advisory Board, the matter of demolition seems to be
understood by the City to be constrained by property boundaries. But what about the
collateral damage to adjacent properties and neighborhoods? What part of the revised
code will address this matter (think about asbestos remediation; think about the impact
of heavy equipment on sewer and gas lines of adjacent properties; think about how
neighborhoods will be impacted by holes in the ground or by a new structure that
changes the character of a (historic) neighborhood. To sum up, definitions do matter
and are important to get right from the get-go.
Having a permanent historic preservation officer would certainly help. Please hire
someone for this position ASAP.
Thank you again for your work.
Sincerely,
Bob Rydell
622 South Grand Ave
Bozeman