Commission to Look into Trailer Parks in City Limits
Wednesday August 9, 2006
By BROOK GRIFFIN Chronicle Staff Writer
The Bozeman City Commission has decided to take a closer look at the various mobile home parks within city limits in the next few weeks.
Commissioners asked city staff late Monday night to prepare an overview of the trailer courts for future discussion.
The request followed comments from several members of the public, who expressed concern about the possible eviction of residents at the Bridger View Trailer Court on the north side of Bozeman. Their comments were made in conjunction with talk of a proposed affordable housing ordinance, which dominated the six-and-ahalf-hour meeting.
Residents said trailer parks were a vital part of affordable housing in the city and the commission should do more to protect them.
Bridger View sits in the middle of the proposed Story Mill Project. Developers have said the 92-unit neighborhood will probably be destroyed if the property is bought and the project goes ahead as planned.
A sale of the land is pending.
Commissioner Jeff Rupp said he was concerned, too, and would not approve the Story Mill project until he had answers to questions about residents in the trailer court.
“I won’t cast any vote on this issue until all the issues are on the table,” he said.
So far, nothing related to the project has been presented to city officials for review.
Commissioner Steve Kirchhoff agreed with Rupp about exploring the issue further, but warned it could get “murky” the more the city got involved.
Kirchhoff said too much city involvement could do more harm than good.
“It’s murky in the sense that you think you are helping people, but you might not be,” Kirchhoff said.
Rupp, however, said something needs to be done to make sure Bridger View residents don’t end up on the street.
“Becoming homeless and displaced versus private property rights is not always a crystal-clear decision,” he said.
In other business Monday:
Commissioners delayed for two weeks action on the city’s dog policy. The reason for the delay was the extended discussion of affordable housing.
Brook Griffin is at bgriffin@dailychronicle.com
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