8-story downtown building proposal Public Comment from Nicola TomlinAimee Brunckhorst
From: MT Sky Mark <matomlin77@montanasky.com>
Sent: Monday, September 19, 2022 8:36 AM
To: Kalispell Meetings Public Comment
Subject: EXTERNAL comment on the 8-story downtown building proposal
My comment is in regard to the proposed eight -story combined parking -housing structure for downtown Kalispell. First,
let me say this: an eight -story building does NOT suit the long-standing character of Kalispell as a rural, small town
community. Most Kalispell residents do not want to turn the town into another urban center with dense pack housing,
high-rise buildings, more people, more traffic, and more congestion. We are NOT Missoula and Bozeman, nor do the
citizens of Kalispell want this, either.
I'm getting really annoyed with the town planners and developers saying they need more "workforce housing" or more
"affordable housing". In less than two years, I have seen an EXPLOSION of dense -pack housing and subdivisions
everywhere in the Flathead..... especially around Two Mile and Three Mile Drive area. A majority of these homes and
apartments were billed as "workforce housing" but when I see the prices of apartments starting at $1,300 per month
and homes at $400,000+, 1 conclude that there is a total disconnect between words and actions for affordable housing.
have friends who are seniors living on social security who can't even TOUCH the price of the new apartments here in
town - even the supposedly "affordable" ones.
We have a real problem in Kalispell. It's called greed and expansionism at the cost of a quality of life. All of the
"affordable workforce housing" projects so far have not worked because they are not affordable. What makes you think
another developer who comes in and says "I'll make more affordable housing" is gong to be able to provide that? On
top of this, the developers want to tap into TIF dollars for their plans - money that is set aside for infrastructure needs.
Remember, developers are opportunists whose sole goal is to make money at the expense citizenry. Give them an inch
and they will take a mile. They don't care about the community. They ONLY care about their wallets. PLEASE keep
Kalispell rural and homey with small town appeal. That's what the citizens want, not abusive expansion. Vote NO to the
eight -story building.
Sincerely,
Nicola Tomlin
3010 Farm to Market Road
Kalispell