Vote NO - Tronstad Meadows & Whitetail Crossing Public Comment from Trish PandinaAimee Brunckhorst
From: Ryan Hunter
Sent: Monday, May 6, 2024 11:57 AM
To: Kalispell Meetings Public Comment
Subject: Fw: EXTERNAL Vote NO - Tronstad Meadows & Whitetail Crossing
Mayor and Council,
I received the following email regarding the Tronstad proposal.
Ryan Hunter
Kalispell City Council Ward 3
rhunter@kalispell.com
From: Kristine Hursh <ckhursh@gmail.com>
Sent: Sunday, May 5, 2024 8:53 PM
To: Ryan Hunter <rhunter@kalispell.com>
Subject: EXTERNAL Vote NO -Tronstad Meadows & Whitetail Crossing
Councilor Hunter,
My name is Kristine Hursh. My husband Kevin and I live at 210 Tronstad Road in Kalispell. We moved
here in February 2000 and enjoyed raising our kids here very much. We have had llamas, dogs, cats and
now horses on our 3.6 acres across from the proposed development. We both work in the valley. My
phone: 406-253-5199
We know that progress and growth will happen, but we are very concerned about the density of 380
homes being built on 110 acres. Right now the property is zoned at 2.5 acres per home. That seems
more reasonable for our area, frankly. Right now Tronstad Road is a narrow county road that was torn up
and the neighborhood was very disrupted during the Quail Meadows development and that was only 39
lots. Homeowners on Sirucek Lane and the Ponderosa development were negatively impacted by the
Quail Meadows development also - many cars detouring through their neighborhood to avoid
construction on Tronstad Road. We are very concerned about the safety of the current residents on
Tronstad Road that will have to contend with heavy equipment, and a large increase in traffic on our road
when development starts and after 380 homes are built. That could mean years of heavy construction
traffic. Right now we are restricted to turning north only onto Highway 93. That causes us to go north, go
under the highway at Church Drive and try to merge onto the highway with compromised visibility and no
speed up lane, to continue south into Kalispell. Our other option is to go south down Whitefish Stage,
another narrow county road that will be negatively impacted by all the extra growth as well. We can
continue to Rose Crossing or Reserve to access Highway 93. With the planned future work and
improvements to Reserve and Whitefish Stage and the development proposed on Tronstad, where does
that leave the residents that are here now?? Where are we going to be able to drive to get around?
We thought that a traffic light at Highway 93 and Tronstad Road could alleviate some of the safety and
growth issues for Tronstad Road and Silverbrook, however we were told that the possibility for a traffic
light would be years in the future and at least 250 homes need to be built before that happens. That
would really cripple our neighborhood and increase our safety concerns for our residents.
Right now there are hundreds of lots and homes on the market in Kalispell, there are also new
developments approved for building. Does approval need to move so quickly on this development? The
real estate market has slowed since the pandemic and homes are staying on the market longer. Again,
this development really doesn't need to be rushed before the infrastructure can handle it.
The existing well that sits on the property is not only owned by the 110 acres, there are others with water
rights. How will that affect them? Also - is there enough water for 380 additional homes and the
proposed linking to the Kalispell water system, as well as the people with the existing water rights?
With the proposed density of the houses, what will they do with all the snow in the winter time? Where
can they put it? When snow drifts compromise driving on Tronstad, more people will be affected. Will
emergency vehicles be able to navigate the small streets with cars parked on both sides? There will be
two entrances to the project, but both feed onto Tronstad. Also - the developers are selling the lots, not
building the homes. There will be all different builders, with their equipment and designs of homes.
The developers have mentioned affordable housing. I don't know many people in the valley that can
afford $550k. They mentioned teachers, nurses, firefighters and police. Only longtime working people
could possibly afford that.
We appreciate Chad Graham's concern and his no vote at the planning meeting on April 9. His reasoning
was valid and well thought out. 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. Get Reserve, Whitefish Stage and Tronstad widened and improved before any big
developments are approved. Installing a traffic light before the heavy construction begins would be
advisable also. Otherwise there will be a big mess north of town for years to come. Our neighborhood
will be negatively affected by this huge project. Safety and quality of life are huge concerns for the
families and homeowners in the neighborhood.
Please consider driving down Tronstad Road and seeing how narrow it is and the access to Highway 93
and Whitefish Stage at both ends. Imagine our narrow county road with more than 500 additional
cars. Also - we have quite the views without very dense development.
Thank you for your consideration.