Opposition to KGPA 24-01 Public Comment from Daniel MunzingAimee Brunckhorst
From: Dan Munzing <dmunzing@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, June 12, 2024 7:03 AM
To: Kalispell Meetings Public Comment
Subject: EXTERNAL Opposition to KGPA 24-01
Honorable Mayor Mark Johnson and City Council Members,
I have been so impressed with each of you as I have watched your patience, curiosity and wisdom in
addressing city and community matters. The challenges and opportunities pertaining to our community are
diverse and often complicated with many varying interests and outcomes and you are all providing the
leadership and guidance to our city and community.
The proposal to annex the 110 acres on Tronstad Road for the development of Tronstad Meadows and
Whitetail Crossing is just another challenging decision before the City Council.
On one side is the need to provide housing for our growing community that is both responsible and affordable
and on the other side is to allow development in a responsible manner which provides safety and functionality
in regards to traffic both automobile and also foot and bicycle usage and to utilize our natural resources in a
responsible manner.
As I contemplate this proposed development, I am concerned about the scope, size and magnitude of the
Tronstad Meadows and Whitetail Crossing development. The proposed site would have 380
houses. Assuming 4 people per house, this development would house over 1500 people.
This would make this development larger than the 74th most populous city in Montana. In fact, according to a
recent internet search, this development would house more people in 110.5 acres than almost 400 cities in
Montana and would have a population almost equivalent to Eureka. This subdivision's population would be
larger than Somers, Browning and Thompson Falls.
In addition, this development is dependent on a single narrow county road with seasonal weight restrictions,
three blind hills and a mixture of county and city control. I also became aware of the road easement and usage
of Tronstad Road by the development of Dusty Acres and the ongoing road usage pressures that will occur
when Quail Meadows is fully built.
All of this occurring prior to surrounding road improvements which will be necessary to safely handle is
increasing traffic pressures.
One last concern is snow accumulation in this area. My wife and I have ourselves be stranded in drifting snow
on Tronstad Road that occurred within hours. We went to dinner and a play in Whitefiish and upon our return
the road was impassible with another car already stuck and unable to get emergency services to assist
us. Calls for help were to the sheriff and towing services were declined as we were not injured. If not for the
kindness of a passing stranger with a monster truck we would have abandoned our car on the road for the
night. The following morning the road was plowed.
We have also had 8 foot drifts in our backyard blowing onto Tronstad Road. Inaccessible roads are not
acceptable for large new populous city developments.
My request is that the City Coucil and Mayor vote no on the annexation of this development into the city of
Kalispell until infrastructure and safety concerns have been adequately addressed.
Sincerely,
Daniel Munzing
213 Tronstad Road
Kalispell MT
59901