HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-23-2026 Public Comment - S. Atkinson - Building Heights From: Susan Atkinson
To: Bozeman Public Comment
Subject: [EXTERNAL]Building Heights
Date: Sunday,August 23,2026 9:48:23 PM
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Dear Bozeman City Commission,
My name is Susan Atkinson, I live at 2409 Westridge, 59715. I am writing regarding the
discussion about downtown building heights and whether Bozeman should continue allowing
buildings to reach 90 feet or reconsider the height allowed in our downtown.
I understand that the decision to allow greater building heights has already been made in
certain areas, and I appreciate that the City is now taking a closer look at whether that decision
has produced the outcomes we hoped for. I believe this is an important opportunity to honestly
evaluate what we have learned before continuing down the same path.
My concern is that increasing the height from 60 feet to 90 feet changes more than just the
number of stories a building can have. It changes the scale, feel, character, and skyline of
downtown Bozeman.
When I look at the taller buildings that have been built or approved, I worry that we are losing
some of the charm and warmth that make downtown Bozeman unique. The taller buildings
can feel more urban and industrialized and, in my opinion, do not always feel connected to the
character and scale of the community around them.
I also question whether the increased height has delivered the housing benefits that were part
of the justification for greater density. Many of the newer downtown condominiums are not
affordable for the people who live and work in Bozeman. Some appear to function primarily
as high-end or second homes rather than providing attainable housing for local residents.
As the City considers whether 90 feet was the right decision, I believe we should ask some
very straightforward questions:
• Who has benefited from the additional height? Has the financial benefit primarily gone to
developers and property owners, or have there been measurable benefits for Bozeman
residents?
• Has increased height actually produced more attainable housing? If so, how much, and
at what price points?
• What have we learned from the buildings that have already been built or approved at
greater heights?
• Has the increased height strengthened downtown Bozeman, or has it changed its
character in ways that were not anticipated?
• What has been the impact on our downtown skyline and the sense of scale experienced
by pedestrians and residents?
• Were there unintended consequences that were not apparent when the increased height
was approved?
• Most importantly, if the City now has concerns about the results of allowing 90-foot
buildings,what is the reason to continue allowing them?
I am not opposed to growth. I understand that Bozeman needs housing and that we need to
plan responsibly for our future. But growth should not automatically mean that we need to
build taller and taller buildings in the historic heart of our community.
Once a 90-foot building is built, we cannot undo it. As one recent public comment to the
Commission pointed out, a 90-foot building is an experiment that cannot simply be reversed
once it is constructed. That makes the decision about future height particularly important.
I hope the Commission will look carefully at the evidence from the buildings that have already
been allowed at greater heights and ask whether they have produced the community benefits
that were anticipated.
Bozeman's downtown is valuable not simply because of the amount of development it can
accommodate, but because of the character and sense of place it provides. I would encourage
the Commission to prioritize preserving that character while finding other thoughtful ways to
accommodate growth and provide housing for the people who actually live and work here.
Thank you for considering my concerns and for taking the time to evaluate what we have
learned from the changes already made.
Thanks,
Susan Atkinson