Opposition to #KGPA-24-01_ A Young Family's Perspective on Responsible City Planning from Melanie LovejoyDear Honorable Mayor Johnson and Members of the Kalispell City Council,
My name is Melanie Pellew, and I am a 32-year-old real estate investor and homeowner in the Meadows Edge subdivision west of town. I grew up in a home off Whitefish Stage, and my parents
currently reside on Tronstad Road, adjacent to the proposed annexation site for Tronstad Meadows and Whitetail Crossing. I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposed
amendment to the Kalispell Growth Policy, application #KGPA-24-01.
As a Kalispell homeowner and young professional with a husband and young family, I have a vested interest in the responsible and sustainable growth of our city. I have a keen understanding
of the planning process and the qualifications for a well-designed subdivision. These qualifications include:
1. Appropriateness to Surrounding Area: Ensuring new developments are compatible with the existing community.
2. Contiguous Boundaries: Developments should be contiguous with other city properties to build a network of walkways and bikeways that support recreation within the subdivision.
3. Avoiding Spot Zoning: It is critical to prevent creating isolated islands of high-density zoning in predominantly rural areas.
4. Comprehensive Infrastructure Planning: Ensuring that all infrastructure, including traffic ingress and egress from the subdivision, integrates seamlessly with main connectors and
travel arteries, adhering to best planning practices.
The proposed amendment fails to meet these criteria on multiple fronts. Firstly, the development is not substantially or significantly contiguous with any current or future city property.
The neighborhoods to the north and south are rural and agricultural. The neighbors to the east have expressed their intent to keep their hundred-plus acres within the family, subdividing
into rural five-acre parcels.
This creates a scenario where Tronstad Meadows and Whitetail Crossing would be an isolated pocket of high-density housing, incompatible with the surrounding rural landscape.
Moreover, the lack of clear infrastructure planning is alarming. From what I can tell from observing the process so far, it appears that this is a rapid attempt at pushing through a
growth policy amendmwnt which would allow annexation and development of a hig-density subdivision that simply does not fit with the surrounding area.
There are no provisions for safe ingress and egress, except solely onto and off of Tronstad Rd., and particularly concerning the safety of children traveling to and from school or wanting
to ride bikes and walk in the neighborhoods
Tronstad Road is ill-equipped to handle increased traffic, with no space for parents to wait in their cars when dropping off and picking up children from bus routes. This oversight poses
significant safety risks.
From a city planning standpoint, approving this amendment would be ill-advised. It contradicts the principles outlined in the Growth Policy Plan-It 2035, which emphasize thoughtful,
inclusive, and sustainable growth. A high-density subdivision with no significant contiguous boundaries and inadequate infrastructure planning does not serve the best interests of neighbors,
community members, or the greater good of the city.
As a young, successful real estate investor and business owner, it is clear to me that this proposal is unwise. It raises serious concerns about the integrity of the planning process.
If this amendment were to pass, it would suggest that private and personal interests are being pandered to, rather than adhering to sound planning principles and the collective well-being
of our community.
I respectfully urge the Kalispell City Council to vote no on amending the growth policy for this development. A no vote would demonstrate your commitment to responsible city planning
and restore public confidence in the systems designed to support our community.
Thank you for your attention to this critical issue.
Sincerely,
Melanie Pellew
Meadows Edge Resident and Real Estate Investor
1212 Longfellow Dr. Kalispell
—
Melanie Pellew (Lovejoy)
4062614307
of 110 acres north of Tronstad Road this coming June 3, I am asking you to come visit the site of future development and assess the appropriateness and wisdom regarding annexation
at this time.
I strongly believe that it is important for you to see first hand the current state of Tronstad Road and the ability of it to handle a 380 house development using it as its only egress
prior to your vote. I invite you to walk and drive on Tronstad Road and to appreciate the safety challenges presented by its 3 blind hills, the steep shoulders and the narrow 22
½ feet width.
Please also take a quick look at the Silverbrook development roads. You may see a stark difference in comparison. I would be willing to walk Tronstad Road with you if that is permissible.
You also may park in my driveway on 213 Tronstad Road if you need a place to park.
Haste—you have been encouraged to vote for the annexation and approval of annexation and plat approval for Tronstad Meadows and Whitetail Crossing in “haste.” Interestingly, there is
nothing hasteful about this development. Even if approved, it would likely be 18 months to 2 years before we see the first house built. And haste seems unwise when this development
is so controversial that almost 600 persons have signed a petition opposing annexation.
Haste is never appropriate when we are concerned about safety and for pedestrian and bicycle use but also for vehicle traffic. Haste is also not wise when we are talking about water
usage and impact. The vote for annexation will impact the development of this region for the rest of our lives. We are asking that haste not be your response, but appropriate planning
to ensure safe and wise growth and development.
Housing, Housing, Housing. The developer has repeated that if it provides housing then it is good. They have asked you to ignore any legitimate concerns if it provides housing. Housing
is the trump word to encourage you to ignore common sense.
Our request is that you will consider all the ramifications of each housing project and development to help solve our problems as a community. Problems of affordable and available housing
needs. Problems of congestion, functionality and safety of our roads. Problems of providing city services to new developments including police, fire, emergency services, sewer and
water and usable sideways and pathways for pedestrians and bicycles.
Your decisions regarding the future growth and development of kalispell are far reaching and impacting.
We thank you for your service in bringing guidance and management in the complex issues facing Kalispell on a daily basis.
Please give a comprehensive review of the implications of changing the Kalispell annexation plan prior to voting.
Sincerely
Daniel Munzing
213 Tronstad Road
Kalispell, MT
406-253-1314 <tel:406-253-1314>