ADU's Public Comment from Matthew BrakeAimee Brunckhorst
From: Matthew <mbrakemt@gmail.com>
Sent: Sunday, January 17, 2021 10:10 PM
To: Kalispell Meetings Public Comment
Subject: [EXTERNAL] ADU's
Hello Mayor Johnson and City Council,
I live at 729 6th Ave West, Kalispell, MT which is zoned R-4. I utilized a first time homebuyer program to purchase my
home back in 2004. Today I make a bit, but not a whole lot more and find myself with retirement on the visible horizon.
Sixteen years later my major asset is my home.
A few years ago I investigated building an ADU on my property. I knew I was zoned multi -family and that duplexes were
OK. I was quite surprised to learn that ADU's were not allowed. I was informed that the only option for my multi family
zoned property was to add onto my existing home and duplex it. Or, if I wanted I could raze my existing home entirely
and fully build out my existing lot with a massive, out of character, 3/2 duplex with garages for both units, and then sell
the property and make a really nice profit. But...
Neither of these is right for me, my property, or for my neighbors who both own modest single family homes with
garages out back.
MY dream is to build a thoughtful, small home for myself on the back half of my 0.18 acres. I will need some rental
income from the main home to make ends meet in the coming years.
ADU's will help my neighborhood retain its character while supporting the mutual goals of the City of Kalispell and
property owners.
This is my dream. Thank you for listening. I encourage you to vote to allow for ADU's as proposed.
Thank you,
Matthew H. Brake
mbrakemt@gmail.com
406-250-5958