Merna Terry Comment on Ordinance 1919 2nd Reading May 6_ 2024[NOTICE: This message includes an attachment -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you know the content is safe.]
Dear Mayor and Members of the Council,
I am writing to make comments on the second reading of Ordinance 1919 regarding Streets and Sidewalks which is going before the council for second reading tonight. I have a few questions/concerns
regarding the proposed amendments. My questions/concerns are written below.
24-6. If I understand these changes correctly, 24-6 B says that if we need to have trusses or lumber delivered on a boulevard or the street when building a new home, we may need to
apply to the Public Works Department for a permit allowing the temporary use of the property. The permit may take up to 10 days for approval. This will likely add additional time and
cost to building homes which will increase the price of new homes in our community and add excess regulations.
If temporary placement of building materials within boulevards, sidewalks or streets for a short period during construction is allowed without a permit, this may need clarification,
so it isn’t misinterpreted by city staff adding unnecessary time and money to the process of building new homes.
24-19 and 24-20. These sections refer to replacement of sidewalks. It states that they must be repaired in “strict accordance” with the Standards for Design and Construction. I have
a concern with this section because the Standards for Design and Construction currently require 6” sidewalks and approaches in residential areas when there is a driveway. The current
International Building Code requires only 4” driveways and 4” garage slabs. If I understand correctly, Standards for Design and Construction only require 4” sidewalks when they aren’t
adjacent to driveways. This means that when new homes are under construction, the builders need to tear out the newly poured 4” sidewalks and replace them with 6” sidewalks in front
of areas where they are pouring new 4” driveways. This requirement will add at least $2000 to the price of newly constructed homes in Kalispell during a time when home prices are already
too high for many people to afford.
23-20 C and 24-25 A. If I understand this correctly, replacement of sidewalks in front of every driveway in Kalispell will require verification by the Department of Public Works or
a Montana Licensed Professional Engineer. This again will add time and expense to new homes.
I respectfully request that you consider adding a section to 24-6 clarifying that temporary permits will not be required when deliveries for new construction are placed within the city
right-of way in front of new construction for less than one week as long as there is an active building permit associated with the adjacent property.
I also request that you consider either changing the requirements for 6” sidewalks adjacent to driveways in the Standards for Design and Construction or that you change the wording in
sections 24-19 and 24-20 specifically delineating that sidewalks adjacent to driveways can be the same thickness as adjacent sidewalks.
Thank you for taking the time to review my comments.
Sincerely,
Merna Terry
Operations Manager
Your Flathead Builder Since 1994
7 Meridian Court, Kalispell MT. 59901
(406) 755-7516 Ext: 6
(406) 253-6627 (cell)
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