Spring Creek Park - Public Comment received for Planning Board combinedFeb 3, 2022
William Etter
301 Aspen Loop
Kalispell, MT 59901
Mr D. Keith Haskins, P.E.
City Engineer
201 1st Ave East
Kalispell, MT 59901
Email: khaskins@kalispell.com
SUBJECT: Spring Creek Park
Dear Mr Haskins:
Today I've been reviewing the Memorandum from Mr. Joe DeVore's most recent findings and
recommendations regarding the Spring Creek Park and it's impact on traffic in the vicinity.
I've noted his comments under “Methodology and Volumes Review”. Of particular interest is
in the 3rd bullet point where he comments, ” The City of Kalispell should confirm that no
other major developments are being planned further north on Farm to Market Drive or
to the west on Four Mile Drive that may add to background traffic volumes.”
As I review his comments relating to 2 Mile Drive there appears to be no indication that he
has taken into consideration major developments that are either currently in progress or
anticipated.
• There is no comment regarding phases 2 and 3 of the “Crossing at Spring Creek” which
have yet to be completed. If memory serves me this development will have a total of 325
units when finished. Surely, this will impact 2 Mile Drive.
• There has been mention of a development on the south side of 2 Mile Drive in the 17 acre
area that just changed hands. This is a large tract with the potential for hundreds of
dwellings. There appear to be few options for access that do not include 2 Mile Drive.
• Any reasonable person would predict that some sort of development will be forthcoming in
the properties adjacent to the bypass along 2 Mile Drive that were just purchased. You
had mentioned in our conversation that these had been sold while we were discussing
bypass access.
Based on Mr DeVoe's comments referenced above, regarding Farm to Market Drive and 4
Mile Drive, it seems lacking that there is no mention regarding consideration of developments
on 2 Mile Drive. Was this an omission or from his standpoint only something that the City of
Kalispell should review? Again, there certainly appears to be significant potential for
increased traffic on 2 Mile Drive in the foreseeable future.
I look forward to hearing your comments at the February Planning Board meeting.
Sincerely,
William Etter
cc: P.J. Sorensen, Esq: psorensen@kalispell.com
Joseph DeVore: joseph.devore@kljeng.com
Kalispell City Council: publiccomment@kalispell.com
Flathead County Commissioners
Kalispell City Council
1
Kari Barnhart
From:Daniel K. <dkuster6@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, February 8, 2022 3:31 PM
To:Kari Barnhart
Subject:EXTERNAL Spring Creek/ 2 mile/ 3 mile development
To whom it may concern with the Kalispell Planning Department;
My name is Daniel Kuster and I am writing to share my thoughts regarding the proposed zoning change for the
development being built to the West/Southwest of Spring Creek Estates. I have lived in this neighborhood with my
young family since we purchased our home in the summer of 2015. What was originally a quiet neighborhood with
children playing outside is now at risk of becoming nothing short of dangerous due to the increase in traffic due to the
density of the proposed development. The original plan contained single family homes along with a limited number of
duplex/townhome style units which is what all the residents in our neighborhood had expected for years. Now we are
seeing what would potentially be 4 story apartments with over 400 units along with the single family/row houses to the
south of us. This would add appx 2000 people and my understanding is they want to connect the roads of the two
neighborhoods which gives these 2000 one option for accessing the bypass‐ through our neighborhood and children
playing outside.
I currently live right between the two roads that will be connecting the neighborhoods‐ Battle Ridge Dr and Pine Draw
Ave. We have already seen multiple close calls with the traffic in our own neighborhood at the intersections of these
two roads and our street, Triple Creek Dr. No one stops at stop signs, driving entirely too fast and there is nothing we
can do about it. We have constant posts in our neighborhood Facebook group trying to beg people to slow down and
think about their neighbors. Our HOA has even tried offering to pay for our own speed bumps to slow down drivers but
we are told we can not install them on city roads. Quadrupling the size of the immediate neighborhood and having a
huge percentage of the traffic funnel through our neighborhood for bypass access is going to be catastrophic to the
safety of our children and cars on the road.
During higher traffic times we already have major concerns with several traffic issues concerning our
neighborhood. Turning out to 3 mile in the mornings is already a major challenge. With cars coming 45‐50 mph+
around the blind corner from Farm to Market road as we pull out onto icy roads in the winter has caused multiple
problems. We have already had a child hit while crossing 3 mile to get to the bus stop. We also have a no left turn into
our neighborhood from 3 mile turning onto Camp Crook Dr when heading westbound. As the other entrance gets even
more bogged down I have no doubt that more and more people will be making the illegal turn into the exit only lane on
Camp Crook. I have personally witnessed multiple close calls at this intersection and have no doubt that these incidents
will only grow if the new zoning is passed.
I would ask you to consider what you would do if something similar was put up for a vote in your neighborhood. At the
very least, do not connect the roads to invite the traffic to go through a neighboring subdivision for easier access, this is
only inviting potential issues and the risk of a catastrophic event happening from a teen driver from Glacier driving
distracted through our neighborhood and rushing to get to their home in the new development. Multiply that
distracted driver by 600+ families and I feel it is almost inevitable. If they are so convinced that they won't be coming
through our neighborhood there should be no issue in leaving the roads disconnected. Thank you for your time and
consideration,
Daniel and Michelle Kuster
540 Triple Creek Dr
1
Kari Barnhart
From:Dewain Rosenthal <dewainrosenthal@mac.com>
Sent:Tuesday, February 8, 2022 6:48 PM
To:Kari Barnhart
Subject:EXTERNAL KPUD-21-05, KPP-21-08, KZC-21-04
Hello,
I do not support changing the zoning.
I do not support building apartments, just finish building the community of single family homes.
Traffic is already bad enough, finish Four Mile Dr before beginning construction.
Thank you,
Dewain Rosenthal
610 Triple Creek Dr
1
Kari Barnhart
From:Aimee Brunckhorst
Sent:Tuesday, February 15, 2022 10:18 AM
To:Jarod Nygren; PJ Sorensen; Kari Barnhart
Subject:FW: EXTERNAL Spring Creek Park Development
From: Mark <jonesmw10@gmail.com>
Sent: Sunday, February 13, 2022 11:28 AM
To: Kalispell Meetings Public Comment <publiccomment@kalispell.com>
Subject: EXTERNAL Spring Creek Park Development
Hello,
I would like to email you regarding an item that is slated for discussion in March.
The Spring Creek Development is something that the Flathead Valley desperately needs, housing. With that said, this
proposed development is not addressing the needs that come with rapid growth of an area. Schools will become
crowded, Kalispell police and the Flathead County Sheriff's office will wear thin and the infrastructure will not support it.
Highway 2 will become overcrowded for a 2 Lane highway because traffic will not want to wait at the overpasses for 93
alternate, which will also become backlogged with traffic as those structures can't accommodate this type of
development. Light pollution will ruin the night time skies.
Please take this into consideration before approving this development. Again, while this development is needed,
without proper planning, you will irritate the same people who voted you into your positions of power.
Thank you,
Mark Jones
1
Kari Barnhart
From:Aimee Brunckhorst
Sent:Tuesday, February 22, 2022 12:49 PM
To:Jarod Nygren; PJ Sorensen; Kari Barnhart
Subject:FW: EXTERNAL Spring Creek Park Development
‐‐‐‐‐Original Message‐‐‐‐‐
From: Michael Wood <2woodsies@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, February 22, 2022 12:40 PM
To: Kalispell Meetings Public Comment <publiccomment@kalispell.com>
Subject: EXTERNAL Spring Creek Park Development
To Mayor Mark Johnson, my Ward 4 councilmen Sid Daoud and Jed Fisher, and the other members of the city council:
I am writing today to ask that you overturn/deny the recommendation of the Planning Board to allow the Spring Creek
Park Development between Two Mile and Three Mile Drives.
The various aspects of this huge development do not fit the character of the neighborhood and in fact, violate the
current zoning, which the Planning Board recommends changing in order to allow the development.
At the very least, please return this recommendation to the Planning Board with specific instructions to require the
developer to redo his plans in order to make this proposed development fit the ambience of the area in which it will be
built.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth K. (Betsy) Wood
830 Tenth Street East
Kalispell, MT
406 752 0605