Agenda 02-16-21 Public Comment from Patrick MaloneAimee Brunckhorst
From: Patrick Copeland -Malone <pcmwccc@hotmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, February 11, 2021 6:49 PM
To: City Council Agenda; publiccomment@kalispell.gov; Doug Russell; Kalispell City Council;
Mark Johnson
Cc: Patrick Copeland -Malone; Tracy Diaz; Cassidy Kipp; Barrett,Chance; Jamie Quinn
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: New Agenda 02-16-21 for www.kalispell.com
Dear Mayor Johnson and Kalispell City Council Members.
RE: Accessory Dwelling Units — Ordinance 1853
I am writing in support of this proposed Ordinance and the concept of Accessory Dwelling Units with the following
exceptions:
1. That they be limited to long-term rental and not short-term (less than 30 days),
2. That they be permitted in all residential districts (including R-2 and R-3 zones, in addition to the other
districts already referenced or permitting them),
3. That conditional use application requirements only applied only to "highly sensitive" districts, perhaps
like R-2 and R-3, as well as historic districts and maybe business districts. Some less formal and less
costly administrative staff review option should be considered for residential zones that are specifically
intended to allow residential habitation. The CUP process is lengthy and costly for most homeowners
and especially if their elderly or disabled and only desire to supplement their fixed income or have on -
site supportive services.
4. That the size of an ADU be limited to a percentage of the primary dwelling unit square footage and be
compliant with all other zoning standards (say a 30% bonus). That would mean a 1,500 sqft home
could add 450 sqft; a 2,500 sqft home 750 sqft; and a 3,500 sqft home 1,050 sqft, etc. Allowing an ADU
of up to 1,000 sqft without any regard for the size of the primary residence — which is likely in
character with neighboring homes — creates not only aesthetic but functional problems. A 1,000 sqft
structure could easily be 3-bedrooms creating overcrowding, noise and parking problems and be
inconsistent with that least some of your desired outcomes and put the larger concept in jeopardy (and
don't see anywhere staff being given authority and/or discretion to limit ADU size).
The cost of housing in Kalispell, the Flathead and throughout most tourist -oriented areas in Montana (and the nation)
has and will likely to continue to far outpace wage increases creating a worsening housing affordability gap for low -
wage, seasonal, part-time residents. ADUs are one part of a larger comprehensive affordable housing initiative that
many cities have undertaken with great results. As a retired professional and consulting urban planner, residential
housing rehab developer and property manager I've seen and witnessed first-hand the best of what well planned and
designed ADUs can do.
Over the past several months our family has spent time in other tourist oriented small towns like McCall (ID), Sun Valley
(ID), Park City (UT), Eden (UT), Midway (UT), and Chelan (WA). Each of these community's struggle with general
affordability and workforce housing issues. Prices have skyrocketed in recent decades forcing again lower -wage local
residents to commute far distances or move away (often times leaving large employment gaps for local employers). In
the local media in nearly all of these towns we read or heard stories about housing affordability problems — especially in
Sun Valley and the greater Salt Lake City metro area. In fact, the Weber County Commissioners were debating the issue
during our visit in mid -December. A news article from the Odgen (UT) based Standard -Examiner states in part "(r)ecent
data from the University of Utah's Kern C. Gardner Policy Institute showed the median housing costs for renters in Utah
rose from $944 to $1,037 in 2020.... The Gardner Institute study cited a recent survey from the University of California of
Berkeley, which indicated that accessory dwelling units typically rent for on average of 58°o below market value, making
them 'on essential tool for delivering affordable units to the market."
One observation I'll share from the Editorial Board of the Idaho Mountain Express concerning a current workforce
housing initiative in Hailey Idaho is a concern that if only housing supply is increased with no measures to slow or control
housing prices, the pressures of speculation will simply push even new construction and ADUs beyond what many local
residents can afford. These conservative business people were advocating for rent control or forms of deed -restricted
development. An important consideration/element to a comprehensive and long-term approach.
Your efforts are timely and need to be promoted throughout Flathead County, with appropriate safeguards, to ensure
that young families and essential lower -wage earners (seasonal, part-time or retirees) can continue to afford safe and
decent housing.
Sincerely,
Patrick Malone (Columbia Falls; former Kalispell resident)
From: City Council Agenda <listserv@civicplus.com>
Sent: Thursday, February 11, 2021 9:54 AM
To: pcmwccc@hotmail.com <pcmwccc@hotmail.com>
Subject: New Agenda 02-16-21 for www.kalispell.com
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