Opposition to #KGPA-24-01_ A Young Family's Perspective on Responsible City Planning from Melanie PellewAimee Brunckhorst
From: Melanie Lovejoy <melanielovejoy1 @gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, May 23, 2024 6:22 AM
To: Kalispell Meetings Public Comment
Subject: EXTERNAL Opposition to #KGPA-24-01: A Young Family's Perspective on Responsible
City Planning
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
Dear 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