Fairbridge Inn CUP Public Comment from Shawna HimslKari Barnhart
From: Shawna Himsl <shimsl@flathead.mt.gov>
Sent: Tuesday, January 11, 2022 10:38 AM
To, Kari Barnhart
Subject: EXTERNAL Public Comment - Fairbridge Inn Conditional Use Permit
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I am writing to you to express my concern around the request of a conditional use permit for the Fairbridge Inn to
convert their hotel into 250 studio units. While it cannot be denied that the Fairbridge Inn and its surrounding propertV
is in dire need of refurbishment, I was completely disheartened to learn that upon renovation, they would begin
chargin tenants L000 a month for rent. In m% ith several .t occuDation. I am curreintiv working with I clients that are residini
month for a studio apartment in the Flathead Valley is detrimental in itself. While it is important to allow property
developers the right to set appropriate fair market rents, there is no oversight for what constitutes fair rent for these
proposed renovated studios. is it just new carpet? is it the addition of amenities? Or is it merely to address existing
building/fire code issues that likely should have been addressed long ago? I guess ultimately I am concerned that the
Fairbridge Inn is attempting to greedily cash -in on the Flathead's dire need for housing while simultaneously displacing
the very population that needs this type of housing the most. Granting a conditional use permit without more specifics
on what renovations will be done and the justification of why the Fairbridge Inn feels their renovated units will
command $1000 a month should be heavily considered.
Showna Aims11,4&A
Health Promotion and HIV Prevention Specialist
Flathead Family Planning
Flathead City -County Health Department
Phone: 406-751-8256
19--e
Wathead Family Planning