Decline Renewal of Warming Center Application Public Comment from Todd Felix[NOTICE: This message includes an attachment -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you know the content is safe.]
Dear Mayor and Council,
My name is Todd Felix and I am writing to you today to express my thoughts on the application to renew the Conditional Use Permit for the Flathead Warming Center.
I encourage you to decline the renewal of the application for the warming center.
I have been following the stories in the local paper, reading the Council notes and supporting materials, as well as researching the Kalispell City Code and ordinances.
City Code 27.33.080 “Renewal Criteria” states:
“No Conditional Use Permit shall be issued except upon a finding that the proposed use conforms to the requirements set forth in this chapter and that the proposed conditional use will
have no more adverse effect on the health, safety, or comfort of persons living or working in the area and will be no more injurious, economically or otherwise, to property or improvements
in the surrounding area than would any use generally permitted in the district. An authorized conditional use may not be denied arbitrarily or if no specific adverse effect is found.”
After reading the supporting materials, including crime data “heat maps”, it is clear that the Flathead Warming Center has had a negative effect on the community, especially the businesses
and residents in its immediate area. The code stipulates “shall” rather than “may not” in its verbiage, removing much of the latitude that may otherwise occur in this decision.
City Code 27.33.090 “Burden of Applicant” states also that the burden of proof to prove otherwise rests with the Applicant.
I also question whether the facility, a former auto mechanic shop, is suitable for use as outlined within the application for a Conditional Use Permit.
Having run a warming center in the past, I would challenge this facility being called a “warming center” or “emergency shelter”. From my understanding of the duration of the occupancy
at the facility, it is being used more as seasonal housing. The term “emergency” is usually reserved for incidents that are out of the ordinary or unforeseen. Winter weather in Kalispell
is a regular occurrence. This I am not privy to the inspection work that was done prior to occupancy, but unless they significantly altered the building, the restroom facilities, fire
suppression systems, etc. may not be suitable for longer-term housing.
Homelessness is a symptom of other problems, rather than an issue that stands on its own. Providing seasonal housing may address that symptom, but it will in no way fix the root problems
that cause it (e.g. drug use (voluntary) and metal illness (involuntary) being two of the major contributors). I don’t know the status of Flathead County’s resources, but I do wonder
if drug addiction and mental health couldn’t be more thoroughly addressed in a larger city/county than in the Kalispell area.
Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter. Again, I encourage you to not renew the application for this warming center, which has so clearly and negatively impacted the
business community and neighbors.
I have attached a copy of this letter for your reference.
Sincerely,
Todd Felix
Kalispell, MT.