HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-13-15 Hawks Public Comment Koch Q
April 11, 2015
Mayor Krauss, City Commissioners, and City Manager Kukulski:
I am informed of the loss of the residential structure at 402 West Koch Street in the Cooper
Park Historic District, a willful act on the part of the property owner and contrary to the building
permit issued. 1 am also informed that the extent of changes to a garage structure at this
address is also out of compliance.
As a resident of the area, who also serves the National Trust for Historic Preservation and
Montana Preservation Alliance, I have made the appropriate notifications. It is generally felt
that the rate of growth in our city will produce more and more attempts at circumventing
regulations that preserve the quality of our historic districts. Therefore, an immediate response
on your part is requested.
One option that has surfaced, may be a logical extension of current rules and regulations,
namely that you reserve the right to rescind an existing permit for non-compliance followed by
a provisional phased permit based on a Design Review Board approved design, verified at
appropriate intervals through completion.
I applaud your attempts to create a responsive, predictable, and friendly relationship with
applicants through the permitting process. However, this must go hand in hand with strict
compliance and enforcement. This is to suggest that appropriate and timely city inspection of
construction throughout the city needs to be enhanced. Your voice insisting on this action is
necessary to make it happen.
As we look to the future, most realize we must find a way to increase density, even where
appropriate in established neighborhoods, while at the same time keeping the quality of life
issue foremost in our thinking. I am sorry that I will not be able to attend your public session
with an outside consultant on this issue.
Thank you for your efforts on our behalf.
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Regards,
Bob Hawks
703 W Koch Street
Bozeman, MT 19715 E
406-570-1199
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