Northwest Bozeman Area Plan

Representing the Gallatin Watershed Council, asked the plan to distinguish irrigation ditches from natural waterways and to give clear stormwater guidance, saying the current pipe-into-ditch status quo isn't working for irrigators.

Representing the Gallatin Water Collaborative, urged science-based creek setbacks matching the county's 150-foot standard — noting city setbacks haven't been updated since 2002 and shrink on annexation.

Co-founder of the Bozeman Tree Coalition, submitted written comments October 20 on protecting mature trees, and said the city has never needed an ecologist more.

Co-author of the Tree Coalition comments; urged mapping tree stands, adding trees as a natural resource in UDC Article 6, and expanding watercourse setbacks to modern standards so cottonwoods fall within buffers.

Also praised the new motion-and-vote format, then asked how the commission sees 3,000 acres growing without the sprawl residents dislike — suggesting a 'constrained development' designation similar to the county's.

Lives next to the proposed Gooch Hill extension and wetlands; described abundant wildlife, saturated ground and rutted fences, and warned against repeating the Stadium View disaster.

Glad the Gooch Hill segment might be cut; asked how the plan's natural resource ideals will actually be implemented, and questioned use of open lands bonds versus 'human storage structures' on Oak Street.

Said the plan seems incomplete — no parks or community facilities like schools or pools despite commercial areas being designated. Also criticized the proposed Gooch Hill Road alignment over wetlands and said the Laurel Glen neighborhood was never properly notified because the city emailed an unchecked inbox.

Lives in Laurel Glen and highlighted the abundant wildlife behind her neighborhood — hawks, eagles, Sandhill cranes. Asked who pays for growth infrastructure, worried about wetland development, and warned that Durston is already overwhelmed as an escape route with few east-west corridors.

Has lived 22 years where the Gooch Hill road is planned and says current traffic is already dangerous in snow, with frequent wrecks. Doubts a feasibility study will justify the road, and hates to see the wildlife corridor she watches daily disappear.

Lives by the wetlands and worries more homes will worsen already-bad east-west traffic on Durston, Oak, and Love Lane; asked the city to use existing housing stock before adding sewer and roads.

Described the history of the 150-acre Nolmeyer property near Laurel Glen, its rich wetlands and wildlife, and urged the city to use 150-foot wetland setbacks per best science and to flag unsuitable lands for parks or stormwater rather than housing.

Lives at Cinnamon Creek bordering the plan area; worried about wildlife, high-density housing, and the Gooch Hill Road jog behind her property, and questioned whether the sensitive lands plan is being followed.

Adjacent homeowner concerned the Durston/Gooch Hill intersection becomes a safety hazard in snow; asked whether a feasibility study has been done on the road jog.

Returned during the plan's public comment to question why Gooch Hill must connect Durston to Oak, noting map inaccuracies over her property, diesel exhaust concerns, and suggesting the land be used for a wetland bank instead.