HomeMy WebLinkAboutLegends at Bridger Creek II from Colin & Katherine O'Brien, 7-7-14 Colin & Katherine O'Brien
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1769 Medicine Wheel Lane U
Bozeman, MT 59715 ` JUN 27 2014
City of Bozeman, Department of Community eve1 ��f OF
P.O. Box 1230
GUfVIM Vf_i_Uf'MENT
Bozeman, MT 59711-1230
June 25, 2014
Re: Legends at Bridger Creek II Subdivision — Phase III, Major Subdivision
application P14022
Members of the City Commission:
Thank you for considering our comments on the proposal for the
Legends at Bridger Creek 11 Subdivision — Phase III (hereafter, "Legends
Phase III"). As residents of the Legends II — Phase II, we write to express
our concern that the current proposal for developing the Legends Phase III
will negatively impact neighborhood character, environmental values, and
property values. For the reasons that follow, we urge you to vote against the
current proposal.
1. The lack of open space in the proposed Legends Phase III
development is inconsistent with the character of the existing
Legends neighborhood and will harm the unique scenic and
ecological values of the area.
We chose to buy a home in the Legends principally because of the
spectacular setting and significant acreage of shared open space. The
Legends I and Legends II — Phase I and II (hereafter, "existing Legends
neighborhood") contain a large quantity and thoughtful variety of open
space: a trail that provides access to and incredible views of Bridger Creek
and the mountains beyond, as well as connections to the Main Street to the
Mountains trail network; a playground and fields; and smaller grassy and
landscaped spaces. All of these open spaces are heavily used and highly
valued by both neighborhood residents and visitors from other parts of
Bozeman. These spaces provide opportunities for high-quality recreation
(including youth athletic practices, walking, running, skiing, and bird-
watching), preserve a tranquil atmosphere for neighborhood residents and
visitors, and reflect respect for the unique ecological and scenic resources
that make this corner of Bozeman so special.
In contrast to the wealth of open space in the existing Legends
neighborhood, the current proposal for the Legends Phase III contains no
open space beyond the existing trail along Bridger Creek. A cursory glance
at the plat maps for the existing Legends neighborhood and the proposed
Phase III makes clear that the lack of open space is inconsistent with the
character of the existing neighborhood.
We are especially concerned about the proposal to construct 13 homes
North of Boylan Road, which will impede access to Bridger Creek and the
adjacent trail for numerous residents, creating a sense that the creek is a
private resource for the limited number of individuals whose backyards abut
the trail. Constructing houses on the North side of Boylan Road will also
impair the existing unbroken views of Bridger Creek and the adjacent
wetlands. There are few places close to downtown Bozeman where one can
enjoy such an unspoiled view, and we should not lightly destroy it.
Additionally, the undeveloped corridor along Bridger Creek provides
habitat for a variety of wildlife. We have personally observed bald eagles,
owls, hawks, black bears, deer, coyotes, rabbits, and countless songbirds
utilizing that area. The intrusion of 13 residential lots into the riparian
corridor will inevitably degrade habitat quality and increase disturbance to
resident wildlife. Again, it is a rare treasure to have such rich wildlife
habitat in a residential community so close to downtown Bozeman. Why
harm that unique resource when we know from the existing Legends
neighborhood that development can be planned in a manner that is far more
compatible with wildlife?
2. The large number of lots crammed into the proposed Legends
Phase III will cause inconvenient and dangerous traffic impacts.
Because there are very limited outlets to Bridger Drive from the Legends
Phase III, careful planning is essential to avoid dangerous and inconvenient
traffic congestion in the neighborhood. The existing proposal fails to
address this critical issue. The large number of lots proposed will simply
exceed the carrying capacity of the available roads. This phenomenon will
likely encourage many to use the single-lane alley along the South end of the
development as a thoroughfare, which will be hazardous. In addition, the
Q_ '4
dense development along both sides of Boylan Road will create congestion
and traffic hazards in a neighborhood with significant pedestrian traffic and
many young children. We believe that removing the thirteen proposed lots
from the North side of Boylan Road would go a long way toward alleviating
these issues.
3. Conclusion
The existing Legends neighborhood is a model for development in
Bozeman in many ways: incredible open space fostering a sense of
community and opportunities for high-quality recreation, respect for the
invaluable ecological and scenic values of Bridger Creek, and appropriate
density given the very limited access to the main thoroughfare on Bridger
Drive. Phase III, as proposed, presents a significant departure from these
values without any public benefit.
By removing the proposed lots on the North side of Boylan Road and
creating more open space within Phase I11, the development could grow in a
manner that is consistent with the character of the existing neighborhood and
the landscape of this very special corner of Bozeman.
We urge you to vote "no" on the existing proposal and help keep
Bozeman moving toward smarter development. Thank you for considering
our comments.
Sincerely,
Colin & Katherine O' rien