HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-06-15 Woodcock a further questionFrom: Charlene Woodcock
To: Agenda
Subject: a further question
Date: Tuesday, January 06, 2015 5:48:40 PM
My thanks to those of you who replied to my letter of January 2, below. What isn't
yet clear to me is whether the city of Bozeman provides protection for property
owners whose natural light would be blocked by a proposed adjacent new building.
In the case of the rear units of the Hathhorn Building, virtually all direct natural light
will be blocked, since their only windows are north-facing and a new structure of
eight stories across the Main Street/Mendenhall alley will prevent direct light from
entering their windows.
The value of these condominiums and the quality of life for their residents will be
very substantially reduced by the loss of direct natural light as well as the loss of
view. Having purchased this property in 2005 and paid my property taxes promptly
since that time, I expect something more of the city than to permit so radical a
reduction in its value.
Sincerely,
Charlene M. Woodcock
37 West Main Street, D
Bozeman 59715
TO: The Mayor and City Commission
From: Charlene M. Woodcock
I own a condominium in the Hathhorn Building, 37 W Main D, occupied by my daughter and her
spouse. Its most valuable amenity is the view of the Bridger Mountains above the Armory and of
course the natural light from the north windows. I was horrified when I heard in 2013 about a
developer's plan to build a large hotel up from the handsome Willson-designed National Guard
Armory building and I sent a public comment then. Failure to obtain financing seemed to have killed
the project but I've learned that it was given a permit in November. Should this monster be built, it
would dwarf the Armory even if the facade is preserved, and it would block both natural light and
view of the mountains for the residents of multiple north-facing Main Street apartments, not to
mention increase traffic on Mendenhall and noise and congestion in the Main Street/Mendenhall
alley. Obviously property values and quality of life would be radically reduced for all those affected
by this project, and I would like to know what consideration the Commission gave to this
consequence of approval of the project? What are we to do with living spaces that lose their natural
light?
A new Westin Hotel will open this spring just a block away, conveniently located adjacent to the
parking garage. Should the city sacrifice a valued public building to duplicate an 8-story hotel in the
same area? Bozeman is so community oriented, it is disturbing that the Commission has approved
partial demolition of a public building and its conversion to private, for-profit development rather
than preserving it for public use as, for example, a community art museum, where its secure
construction would be an advantage.