Please Oppose: TRONSTAD MEADOWS and WHITEHALL CROSSING Public Comment from Susan Foster Aimee Brunckhorst
From: Susan Foster <susankfoster406@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, November 4, 2024 3:02 PM
To: Kalispell Meetings Public Comment
Subject: EXTERNAL Please Oppose: TRONSTAD MEADOWS and WHITEHALL CROSSING
Kalispell City Council:
This email is in OPPOSITION to the approval of TRONSTAD MEADOWS and WHITEHALL CROSSING
proposed subdivisions located off Tronstad Road.
My opposition is for the following reasons:
1. These developments would be a continuation of the leapfrog development that started with
SILVERBROOK. It's hard to believe the City of Kalispell approved such a disjointed development that was
and is so very disconnected from the city or any real community.A mistake from the beginning is a
mistake indeed and should not be exacerbated.
2. These two subdivisions are served only by Tronstad Road. I use Tronstad Road frequently, and it is not
in any condition to serve such large developments. There is no reasonable, safe way to access US HWY
93 going south other than to travel to Rose Crossing or Reserve.Allowing such dense development in this
area will only accelerate the need for more traffic lights for safety. Again - disjointed development is
creating disjointed and unsafe traffic issues. Aside from vehicles, there is NO ability to walk or bike on
Tronstad Road safely. These subdivisions are so isolated from the Kalispell community. Every child will
have to be bussed to school. Very unappealing and very dysfunctional.
3. 1 do not know if the city is concerned about the usurpation of farmland for housing developments. It
does not appear so. But it does make one wonder when enough loss will be enough when it comes to
destroying our agricultural lands. I am concerned that the cry for"affordable housing" at any/all cost
will be something we come to regret in years to come. It seems to bean emotional leverage that
developers are using with our communities. Yes, there is a need, but development should be more
thoughtful and less knee-jerk than what I have been observing. The market has away of leveling these
"needs" overtime in a more organic way.
4. The city is fast-tracking the demise of the quality of life that we all live hereto experience.
Development begets development. More housing means more schools, more roads, more stores, more
EVERYTHING. It's like a massive domino effect! And, I believe some areas have proved that
development does NOT pay for itself; it certainly doesn't pay for itself when one considers what has been
lost- such as our quality of life. Every trailhead is already crowded. The public lands we love are being
overrun and overused. We do not need more people in our valley!
5. 1 was quite stunned that the subdivisions were apparently granted zoning changes. Just because the
projects are being promoted by local politicians should not"green light" the development. It would be a
sad day in our valley if that is how we make decisions.
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6. One can only wonder where the City of Kalispell is with its capacities for water and sewer
infrastructure. Does the city have the necessary water rights and water right service areas for these large
developments? Does the city have the necessary wastewater discharge permit capacity to serve these
additional communities? It seems odd to me that our cities never seem to simply say they have reached
their capacities on these services and that only infill projects will be considered. They always seem
willing to extend service to whomever is making the request.
Thank you for your consideration of my comments.
Susan K Foster
3640 Whitefish Stage
Kalispell MT 59901
406.249.5765
susankfoster406()gmail.com
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