HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-01-22 Public Comment - C. Johnson - Support for Fowler ExpansionFrom:Courtney Johnson
To:Agenda
Subject:Public Comment: Support for Fowler Expansion - Courtney Johnson
Date:Monday, August 1, 2022 10:03:15 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you
recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
To: City Commission
Agenda@bozeman.netRe: Fowler Avenue Connection
Date: August 1, 2022
Address: 991 Auger Lane
Dear City Commission,
I want to thank the City Staff and it's Consultants for a thorough and collaborative approach tothe the pre-design of the Fowler Lane connection. This is a challenging project, not because of
the end decision, but because of the change and disruption is it causing a few residents.Understandably, it is hard to hear the changes that Bozeman residents are experiencing and
seeing out their front doors. However, this is needed infrastructure for our community,specifically for the safety of our growing city. Although the City Staff recommendation is to
limit travel lanes in order to minimize impact to the existing trees, and only provide turn laneswhen needed I would request that the project be built out to it's full potential.
COST + CHALLENGE OF TREE PRESERVATION
Many construction projects initially intend to preserve existing trees and are designed in thismanner. It is only after spending money and time in design that the is practicality of this
notion is realized in the field and during construction. A trees ability to survive construction ischallenging. The tree branches perimeter typically defines a trees root structure. During
construction this must be fenced and protected in order for a tree to survive. This createsmobility issues and construction delays. Additionally, this is very costly to do properly and
will need to be specified clearly in the bid process to provide optimal outcomes.
INCREASE TRAFFIC ON LOCAL ROADSThe growth of Bozeman has outpaced the ability to build the infrastructure needed for new
residents and growth. At one point, my family lived on North 25th and Babcock for almost 15years. We experienced high volumes of traffic on a local street that did not have fully built
sidewalks. What was once a nuisance became a concern when with young children takingwalks. North 25th has been increasingly used as a shortcut for traffic to bypass the 19th. We
witnessed several accidents that happened on this road, property damage by inattentive driversand excessive speeds. By not designing and building Fowler to its full capacity we are pushing
additional traffic volumes onto other local roads that are not designed for this increased use.
HYALITE ELEMENTARYThe intersection at Babcock and Fowler has become a epicenter for impatient drivers to make
hurried turns onto Babcock. I have witnessed too many closer calls with kids walking/bikingto Hyalite Elementary school. A signaled light would be a significant improvement in this
location. Please emphasize crosswalk features for the kids!
SAFETY NETWORKThe lack of the Fowler connection is a community safety issue. There is a desperate lack of
north-south arterial roads, which are necessary for safe and efficient connection between ourresidential areas and commercial nodes. Please persist to expand and design this arterial road
to accommodate the future traffic needs of Bozeman, it will increase the safety of existinglocal roads and increase the access options to our emergency responder vehicles. Having a
fully designed transportation grid will result in faster response times to an emergency incidentand save lives. This is City Planning at it's basics.
Please consider the community of Bozeman and the need for this critical infrastructure over
the inconvenience of a few adjacent neighbors. I feel for them but this is community issue thatwill impact Bozeman for decades beyond us all.
Keep up the great work and thank you for your work and service to Bozeman residents.
Many Thanks,
Courtney Johnson, AIA, NCARB
991 Auger Lane
Bozeman, MT 59718
406-579-0582