HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-25-26 Public Comment - M. Kaveney - CC commission work session on B3 and ZETs, tonight 8_25_26 From: Marcia Kaveney
To: Bozeman Public Comment
Cc: Erin George;Chuck Winn;Alison Sweenev;Jennifer Madgic;Joey Morrison;Douglas Fischer; Emma Bode
Subject: [EXTERNAL]CC commission work session on B3 and ZETs,tonight 8/25/26
Date: Tuesday,August 25,2026 11:56:04 AM
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Dear Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and City Commissioners-
I am writing regarding your work session tonight on zone edge transitions (ZETs) and B-3
height limits.
This work session is a perfect time for you to stand behind your commission priority of
"Protecting local heritage, neighborhoods, and the natural environment". When you make
decisions tonight and suggest certain directions for staff to take, I hope you will ask yourselves
questions like, how will this protect the local heritage?, and how will this protect
neighborhood character?, and how will this protect the existing mature vegetation?For
example, will this action provide adequate growing space, or protect and preserve existing
mature trees, or will it help prevent future heat islands?
In my opinion, allowing a height of 90 feet in B-3 by right, will pave the way for new
buildings to overshadow the historic buildings and not protect the local heritage of our
downtown because part of the local heritage experience is visual and physical. The Armory
building is a nice exception because of how much it steps back from the pedestrian's view and
physical experience. But that exception was due in part to the existing structure and also the
goodwill of the developer.
90 feet by right will also inspire more demolitions rather than re-use because the land will be
more valuable when more units can be built on it. This is common knowledge after the
2021/2022 building boom.
A 90 foot height allowance will likely not improve adequate space and light for the natural
environment. Reviewers are no longer using those criteria due to MLUPA so adequate space
and light has to be built into the base zoning. We have already seen how the current 5 and 6
story buildings dwarf the boulevard trees and have neglected to protect existing mature trees
(i.e. Midtown).
Please follow the recommendations of your Historic Advisory Board and cap the height, for
now, at 70 feet in B-3 and follow the direction many other mountain cities are taking near
their historic downtowns. Ample examples of this were provided during the final UDC
discussions in 2025.
I also think allowing 90 feet by right takes away some useful incentives we had for affordable
housing.
Zone Edge Transitions is another opportunity for this City Commission to shine and follow
through on its priorities listed above. Residents and pedestrians feel encroached upon when
large buildings tower over small residences or small existing businesses. Please push for
setbacks, step backs (I like the previous 45' after 2 stories), and open space that goes beyond
the width of a street. Please make these requirements in ZETs as generous as MLUPA will
allow.
Finally,please truly listen to each other and the public. Be willing to adjust your opinion when
your colleagues or the public might suggest something more protective to the neighborhoods
or natural environment.
And when there is a majority direction by the commission please make it clear to the public. I
understand that it takes 3 commissioners to set direction to the staff, and in the past, I have
experienced this as head nods, or hands raised, but these things can be easily missed by virtual
attendance and are never available for people listening by phone. Please take a verbal vote
aloud so the public can hear which commissioners are in favor of which outcomes. This
would provide adequate transparency. And the public deserves to know where individual
commissioners stand on things.
I regret that I may have to attend tonight's meeting virtually rather than in person, I hope your
discussion and actions will demonstrate your commitment to your stated 2026-2027 priorities
including "Protecting local heritage, neighborhoods, and the natural environment". They are
priorities worthy of real action and follow through. Thank you for considering my comments.
Sincerely,
Marcia Kaveney