Bozeman will never achieve its climate or affordability goals without updating its zoning code to allow small lots, small floor plans, and more shared walls. Bozeman’s development code bans small lots. A ban on small lots is, effectively, a ban on affordable, sustainable and desirable missing middle housing. The current Bridger View subdivision being developed […]
Category: Thoughts
Running for Bozeman City Commission!
After years of screed-ing here about Bozeman growth, development and politics, I’m excited to announce that I’m finally taking the plunge and stepping up to try to take a more active role in defining Bozeman’s growth trajectory. As of last week, I am officially a candidate for Bozeman City Commission in this November’s election. There’s […]
Making Bozeman a Better Place to Bike and Walk
An Open Letter to Bozeman City Commission Re: Making Bozeman a Better Place to Bike and Walk 6 January 2019 Madame Mayor, Mr. Deputy Mayor, and Commissioners: Bozeman’s Strategic Plan rightly calls for increased participation in active transportation. Active transportation makes our community healthier by improving physical health and air quality and improves the livability […]
Bozeman’s Tourism Business Improvement District: An Unfair and Unwelcoming Tax
Suppose that, one night in a quiet corner of a dark room, Bozeman’s hotel owners make a pact to all raise their rates by an agreed-upon amount. Hotel revenues will go up, as guests would face the same price increase everywhere in town. Sounds clever, right? Well, almost, except for the fact that activities like […]
Vote for Open Lands – Bozeman!
I first came to Gallatin County as an 18-year-old in 2004 to attend Montana State University. In many ways, Gallatin Valley as it exists today would be unrecognizable to me then. Yes, it is more prosperous, more diverse, and offers more opportunities. It’s still beautiful—but less now than it was: consider, if you will, the […]