Opposition to the Tronstad Meadows and Whitetail Crossing development Public Comment from Joel & Kelly WitmerAimee Brunckhorst
From: Joel Witmer <jgwitmer@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, June 13, 2024 11:37 AM
To: Kalispell Meetings Public Comment
Subject: EXTERNAL Opposition to the Tronstad Meadows and Whitetail Crossing development
Dear City Council Members,
In an effort to make this brief, we would like to express our opposition to the Tronstad Meadows and
Whitetail Crossing development and annexation as it is proposed. For reference, my wife and I are
residents on Sirucek Ln, just off Transtad.
The following are what we see as significant potential liabilities and safety issues.
-The roadway will only be widened where the development would be. Tronstad is a narrow, county
road with rolling knolls that obstruct driving views. This becomes particularly dangerous during
months with snow on the ground when the road narrows more from snow pack on the shoulders and
snow drifts frequently form.
-Entering onto Whitefish Stage Rd is tough enough with the poor design of the intersection and
limited views for cars traveling SB. Larger vehicles turning SB onto Whitefish Stage are forced to
cross into the NB lane, creating a safety hazard. The higher vehicular traffic will only exacerbate the
problem, creating a likely increase in accidents.
-The drop offs on the side of the road on both Tronstad and Whitefish Stage Rd will most certainly be
the cause for increased vehicles going off the road and into a ditch with the higher increase in traffic
flow.
-Bicycles and pedestrians are challenged with the current traffic conditions on Tronstad. The greater
traffic flow caused by the large development would all but drive bicycles and pedestrians from utilizing
this road as a means of travel.
-The quantity of ground water drawn from the existing well on the build site will likely have an impact
on neighboring properties given the high population density for the 380 home development.
-With the increase in vehicles driving down Sirucek Ln and through Ponderosa Estates, even since
the addition of Quail Meadows, has created a safety concern for families walking and biking through
the peaceful, serene neighborhood as the roadway is significantly narrower. This area is not
designed as a through roadway, but it is used as one. In an effort to avoid going down to Whitefish
Stage, human nature will automatically motivate people to drive through the private neighborhood
creating increased safety risks for residents.
These are just a few of the significant concerns resulting from the addition of this high density
neighborhood in a beautiful, rural area. Nothing about the design fits within the proposed location,
and the previous items stated are significant liabilities and safety concerns that must be considered.
Thank you for your thoughtful consideration and we are trusting the council to do the right thing.
Joel & Kelly Witmer