Tronstad Meadows _ Whitetail Crossing frm Andy Shirtliff[NOTICE: This message includes an attachment -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you know the content is safe.]
May 7, 2024
Montana Building Industry Association
1717 11th Ave.
Helena, MT
Dear Kalispell City Councilors,
My name is Andy Shirtliff, I am the Executive Director of the Montana Building Industry Association and a proud Kalispell native; I am writing to express my full support for the annexation
and zoning change requests for the Tronstad Meadows/Whitetail Crossing neighborhood. This development and all housing developments at this moment are crucial in enhancing the accessibility
of housing, stabilizing the housing market, and fostering homeownership opportunities for middle-income families in the Flathead Valley.
I grew up just off Whitefish Stage Road where my folks have lived for the last 40 years and since that time, Kalispell has grown by leaps and bounds as have home prices. It is widely
recognized that increasing the availability of attainable housing is paramount for the community and the economy.
In the fall of 2023, the City of Kalispell reported a 0% housing vacancy rate and a staggering 231% surge in median home prices over the past decade, with significant growth concentrated
in the last three years. While housing stock went from a surplus to a deficit of 3,161 homes in just eight years; to catch up, Kalispell and the County will need to build 1,500 over
the next decade.
In addition to my work with the MBIA, I am also a City Commissioner for the City of Helena, where we have witnessed firsthand the repercussions of the housing shortage on our community
and our economy; however, we have chosen to be an active partner with housing developers by streamlining the permitting process, supporting annexation, and unanimously approving housing
developments.
This proposed development will introduce 380 well-built, family-sized homes to the Flathead Valley, with a primary aim of offering them at or below the median housing price; providing
homes for working families, like the home I grew up in just down the road.
Thank you for your ongoing efforts in addressing the critical need for attainable housing by approving the annexation and zoning change requests for the Tronstad Meadows/Whitetail Crossing
neighborhood.
Sincerely,
Andy Shirtliff
Executive Director, Montana Building Industry Association
City Commissioner, City of Helena, MT
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ANDY SHIRTLIFF
Executive Director
406.442.4479 | 406.249.4546
execdir@montanabia.com <mailto:execdir@montanabia.com>
1717 11th Ave
Helena, MT 59601
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perties. If the whole city of Kalispell is drawing water from that well - will we be negatively affected?
The developers have mentioned affordable housing - the price is not affordable for most new home buyers in the valley and the proposed density just makes it look like more profit for
the developers.
We appreciate Chad Graham's concern and his NO vote at the planning meeting on April 9. Tronstad Road is not ready for this kind of additional traffic and 380 houses being built. Please
consider voting NO on this growth policy change, annexation and development.
Thank you for your consideration. If you need to contact me, my phone: 406-253-5199