Potential new hotel and garage, with housing, in downtown Kalispell Public Comment from Scott and Dawn BrownleeAimee Brunckhorst
From: Scott Brownlee <piggypea@yahoo.com>
Sent: Friday, June 17, 2022 6:32 PM
To: Kalispell Meetings Public Comment
Subject: EXTERNAL Potential new hotel and garage, with housing, in downtown Kalispell.
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
Hello,
As a new resident to Montana and Kalispell, my wife and I have serious concerns for this new project. While we are
recent transplants from Gilbert, Arizona, we often hear how newcomers are the reason that the valley is losing its
identity. After several years of vacationing here and deciding I would like to semi -retire, we felt Kalispell was really the
place that fit our lifestyle and that smaller town feel. We can tell you first hand the effects of urban and suburban sprawl
coming from Arizona. After 24 years there the development and growth have become unbelievable. Honestly, it has
become so crowded and congested that we found it difficult to stay. We love Arizona but it has been decimated by strip
malls and apartment complexes, one after another. That is not progress!
While we understand and sympathize with the current Kalispell growth and housing situation, please consider the
consequences of these decisions. Make no mistake this is urban sprawl, just up not out. While we all want sustainable
growth, consider at what cost? Do you want the large buildings to litter the skyline? The hotel itself is one thing but is a
250 parking space garage really necessary for this? Seems excessive for the size of the hotel, not to mention just
additional parking. How about an eyesore of a garage on Main Street. Have we considered traffic and congestion? We
live just down the road from the new apartments being built on 5th Ave West and we we are a little concerned as to
what the unintended consequences may be. We understand the current housing situation, but are downtown
apartments the solution to this?
While what we have mentioned is nothing new, we ask that you consider what is best for the citizens of Kalispell. While
some change is needed, too much change can have the opposite impact. Trust us, we know all about change. Please
consider the people, including us, who live here.
Thank you,
Scott and Dawn Brownlee