Urgent: Immediate Action Needed on Landscape Plan Approval Public Commenrt from Corinne Kuntz Aimee Brunckhorst
From: Corinne Kuntz <tbn.director@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, December 12, 2024 1:17 PM
To: Kalispell Meetings Public Comment;Jacob Kuntz; Chris Becker; Travis Hjort; Lorraine
Clarno
Subject: EXTERNAL Fwd: Urgent: Immediate Action Needed on Landscape Plan Approval
Good Afternoon Mayor Mark Johnson and City Council,
I understand there may be limitations on your ability to assist directly with my project, but I wanted to
share my frustrations regarding the excessive delays in obtaining a building permit. Please see the
attached email that I sent this morning after attending the City Planning Meeting.
To provide some context:
• The Geotech report for this project was submitted nearly two years ago, and it wasn't until the
last few months that we were informed of necessary changes.
• The landscaping plan has become the other major bottleneck. During the plan review meeting
today, Chad Fincher made several comments that didn't align with my records. When I asked
about a timeline for approval, he indicated that it's highly unlikely my project will be reviewed
soon, as progress depends on the queue and subsequent response times for additional
comments.
Essentially, the timeline being communicated puts us at mid-January for approval at the earliest.
Starting next week, I will be paying a construction crew to remain idle while we await the permit that
we expected to have in October after submitting all corrections indicated by City Planning. If they are
not paid, I'll have to postpone construction until spring when they're available again, creating further
financial and operational challenges.
This project is crucial for addressing our community's childcare needs, and these ongoing delays are
not only creating significant financial strain but also jeopardizing its success. I appreciate your time
and any guidance or support you can offer in helping us move this forward.
Best regards,
CORINNE KUNTZ
Founding Owner
Cell- 406.404.5645
Fax: 406.730.5025
Email: tbn.director(a-)gmail.com
Website: www.TheBirdsNestELV.com
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---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Corinne Kuntz<tbn.director(d)9mail.com>
Date: Thu, Dec 12, 2024 at 12:12 PIVI
Subject: Urgent: Immediate Action Needed on Landscape Plan Approval
To: Chad Fincher<cfincher(d)kalispell.com>
Cc: Jacob Kuntz <4kuntz3(d)mt._gov>, Chris Becker<Chris(d)buildpactmt.com>, Travis Hjort
<travis(d)buildpactmt.com>, Jarod Nygren < PJ Sorensen
<psorensen(d)kalispell.com>, Kari Barnhart<kbarnhart(d)kalispell.com>, Lorraine Clarno
<I.clarno(a)katispellchamber.com>, <kristen.Juras(cbmt.gov>, <govern or(cb mt.gov>
Dear Chad Fincher,
I want to ensure we are aligned regarding the landscape plan submission and approval process.
Based on my records-
• The initial plans submitted on 8/20/24 clearly indicated that the area beyond the development
site would remain natural—something you mentioned today was not included.
• You sent an email on 10/16/24 stating that your comments had been uploaded to the portal—
today, you mentioned that no official comments have been made on the project and that the
plans submitted this week would likely recieve comments that will require changes, making it
unlikely that we will have a building permit next Thursday.
• Corrections were made based on those 10/16/24 comments, and further adjustments were
made to address additional issues you raised over the past two months.
• The most recent set of plans, incorporating all your comments, was submitted on 12/10/24.
If there's any discrepancy between my records and what you stated in the meeting today, please
clarify.
At this point, I need to know exactly how many projects are in the queue ahead of mine and when I
can expect comments or approval. The geotechnical report will be submitted within the next hour,
meaning the landscape approval is the final piece holding up the building permit. Given the critical
nature of this project, further delays are not an option.
Since you've indicated it is highly likely there will be additional comments requiring further revisions,
I'd like to schedule a meeting on Monday or Tuesday with all relevant parties to resolve any
outstanding issues and ensure we are issued the building permit next Thursday.
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Further delays are becoming increasingly challenging. The ongoing setbacks are jeopardizing the
viability of this project in significant ways:
• The interest-only payments on our SBA loan are creating financial strain that could push my
program toward bankruptcy.
• Losing the $1 M ARPA Childcare Innovation and Expansion grant, which has already been
disbursed, would not only impact the project but also require repayment, placing an additional
financial burden on us.
• Each delay continues to escalate project costs, further threatening its feasibility.
This project is vital to the community and our local economy, supporting parents' ability to return to
work and addressing critical childcare needs. I am committed to seeing it through and will do
whatever it takes to move forward without further setbacks.
I trust we can work together to make this happen and appreciate your prompt attention to this matter.
If I do not hear from you by the end of the day, I will stop by your office tomorrow to discuss the
project in person. Please confirm your availability for a meeting on Monday or Tuesday of next week
to address all remaining comments you have regarding this project.
Best regards,
CORINNE KUNTZ
Founding Owner
Cell- 406.404.5645
Fax: 406.730.5025
Email: tbn.director(a-)gmail.com
Website: www.TheBirdsNestELV.com
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