HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-19-16, Ruggles, True Dragon BreweryDear City Commissioners, I am writing you in opposition to the True Dragon SP/COA/CUP application. On April 11, I voiced my view of the safety at the intersection at Peach St and Plum St regarding the proposed True Dragon Site Plan/COA/CUP. City Engineer, Rick Hixson was dismissive of my concerns, so I am reaching out to you for serious consideration of my concern about the increased traffic that is anticipated for the proposed intensified use of the site. Personally, I have experienced several dangerous incidents as a pedestrian and motorist at the Peach/Plum intersection. I have crossed the intersection on foot with my two young children in a stroller and two leashed dogs, running to avoid a car almost hitting us as they blindly make the turn from the curve into a 75degree right hand turn off Peach Street. While riding his bike, my husband was hit by a car. The car did not stop. My husband was left alone on the side of the road unaware of what happened to him. He did not report it to the police because he didn’t see the car who hit him. He walked his bike home with bruises, scrapes and torn clothing. Whenever there is a car coming around the corner, you will hear a screech of the brakes if another vehicle is present at the intersection. These cars are not speeding or reckless; they are merely driving at the 25mph speed limit. When I utilize the intersection in my car (which is rare since I try to avoid it due to its dangerous nature), I slowly inch out into the intersection and then “gun it” to avoid other cars traveling East on Peach. Usually, the car slams on the brakes to narrowly avert a crash. Currently, this intersection does not have a crosswalk and is a blind turn for cars turning in and out of Plum Street. There have been 3 accidents reported at this small, neighborhood intersection along with the innumerable “close calls” and unreported incidents. Without empirical evidence, it has been deemed of absolutely no concern to Rick Hixson, according to his professional opinion. However, simple, low-cost precautions can be included in the SP/COA/CUP for the proposed True Dragon Brewery that could mitigate accidents and build a proactive safety plan including:
• Direct the ingress/egress of the True Dragon property to Peach St instead of Plum St or eliminate the north entrance on Plum and make the south entrance ingress-only.
• Paint crosswalks
• Install stop signs and/or crosswalk signs on Peach Street and Plum St This intersection as well as Broadway Ave/E Avocado St have been flagged on the Bozeman TMP public commenting map, which is intended to work with the public to flag transportation system concerns to help shape the community’s long range transportation system. I see the construction of the True Dragon Brewery as an opportunity to enhance the neighborhood by not only improving the current condition of the lot, but by also including the safety and welfare of its residents, including the numerous young children (14 within approximately 250 ft of the proposed brewery/tasting room construction). Therefore, I urge you to listen to your constituents who live in this neighborhood and use your jurisdiction to impose changes to the SP of the True Dragon SP/COA/CUP. Thank you for considering my comments. Rachel Ruggles 705 E Orange Street (406)586-9534