HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-11-16, Neighborhood Conservation Overlay DistrictNeighborhood Conservation Overlay District , April 11, 2016
Mayor Carson Taylor
Bozeman City Commission
Bozeman City Hall
121 N. Rouse
Bozeman MT 59715
Re: Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District
Commission Members,
As former members of GCHB we wish to ask the City Commission to vote against adopting the changes
to the NCOD.
The laws currently governing the NCOD are adequate to preserve the historic values of Bozeman.
Additions to and enforcing these laws will enhance this most important asset to the City.
Some additions could be made to enhance the laws of this district. Also, a Historic Preservation Officer
needs to be hired and a City Historic Preservation Board re-established.
Many times we hear that Tourism and Agriculture are the main economic forces in MT. Bozeman
benefits greatly from tourism being surrounded by historic sites. Common knowledge is that 7 out of 10
tourists make historic sites their destinations. Their average stay is 3 to 5 days. This is a large economic
boon to Bozeman with Yellowstone Park also a destination.
The County Historic Preservation Board has done several well attended tours of Historic Sites in the City
and County with extremely positive responses the past 10 years.
Affordable Housing is a separate issue. If a party can find an "affordable" lot in the a historic district to
build a compatible dwelling unit, that can now be accomplished as the laws are written. Also, there is
variety of house sizes already in the districts and some are "affordable".
Perhaps the City requiring a diversity of dwelling unit sizes in subdivision proposals with a percentage of
l bedroom, 2, 3 etc in each, would help solve this situation. This method is used in many areas of the
Country and works very well.
Many City & County residents worked very hard to get the City to establish these Historic Districts
knowing the benefits to this area. WE urge you to deny this proposal and continue to enlarge the
department and to enforce the laws already on the books.
Tony Demetriades Judy Wilkes Giles Cokelet