Laux to Krepps/LHC ContractJUN 13 1997
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310 Sunnyview Lane Kalispell, Montana 59901 (406) 756-4705
June 12, 1997
Council Members
Clarence Krepps, Manager
City of Kalispell
P.O. Box 1997
Kalispell, MT 59903-1997
Dear Mr. Krepps and City Council Members:
We are pleased to announce that Northwest Healthcare has awarded a contract to LHC to
construct all the public infrastructure for Buffalo Commons, including roads, water, sewer,
sidewalks, storm drainage, and a Highway 93 traffic signal. As you may be aware, we have
asked for no variances to the City design standards for any of these improvements. Despite
all of our efforts to fully anticipate and plan for all aspects of this project, we have been
faced with several last-minute difficulties or concerns. The purpose of this letter is to bring
some of these issues to your attention and to request that you provide assistance.
Sunnyview Intersection to Windward Way: In earlier correspondence, we requested that
the City improve (in the near future) the intersection of Sunnyview and Highway 93. The
need for intersection improvements at that location will be even greater when the State
requires one-way travel on the Meridian Extension. By default, most of the westbound
traffic from the area of the Summit and Kalispell Regional Medical Center will be directed to
Sunnyview Lane. We would respectfully request that these improvements from
Sunnyview/93 Intersection to Windward Way be scheduled, financed, and built this
construction season, if at all possible.
Traffic Signal: The PUD approval anticipated the need for a traffic signal at Highway 93
and Northridge Drive after most of the project was fully developed, which may be 5 to 10
years in the future. The State Department of Transportation has determined that the signal is
warranted in the first year due, in part, to the traffic numbers entering from the west side of
the Highway. They also seemed to want the signal immediately to facilitate the conversion
of the two-way traffic on the Meridian East extension to one-way traffic. Since Buffalo
Commons cannot possibly warrant the need for a signal for many years into the future, it is
perplexing that this requirement is being passed onto Northwest Healthcare. Installation of
the signal will cost over $150,000. The signal will undoubtedly be to the benefit of all
traffic movements in this portion of the City. Robert Peccia & Associates requested city
participation with inspection of the traffic signal to help offset some of the signal installation
costs but this request was denied. Another request was to allow the City to absorb
ALERT • BRENDAN HOUSE • APPLIED HEALTH SERVICES • KALISPELL REGIONAL HOSPITAL
Letter to Clarence Krepps
June 12, 1997
approximately $5,000 for State -required improvements to the west intersection of Northridge
Drive. This request was granted pending approval by the Council.
Street Striping: We recently received a letter from John Wilson that requires thermoplastic
striping at cross walks within the multifamily, office, and commercial land use pods. This is
an unexpected expense and seems to be an arbitrary request. Could these additional expenses
within the public right-of-way be waived by the City?
Boulevard Shade Trees: At the time of approval, the City indicated a desire to provide up
to 20 trees per year for 5 years for the boulevards in Buffalo Commons (page 31 of the PUD
application packet). We would like confirmation that this is still being committed by the
City.
Buffalo Commons is likely to be a model neighborhood for the City of Kalispell and
contribute substantially to the City tax income. We invite the City to be a partner in this
effort.
Sincerely,
THOMAS W . LAUX
President/CEO
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