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WIC
MONTANA ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION CENTER
June 24, 2002 .
Mayor PamKennedy.
Kalispell'City -Coupcil
..P.O. Box:1997
Kalispell; MT 59903..
RE: Glacier Mat] lgastef.Plan,Amendrnent
Dear. Mayor and City Council Members:,
The Montana Environmental Information Center opposes the'.Glacier Mall Master Plan .
Amendment to, the Kalispell City=CountyMaster Plan. Laud use planning is supposed to
establish a set, of goals based upon a. comprehensive 'azial' * that is, designed to benefit the entire
community: 'l he.purpose of planning according to Montana Statutes is to: "encourage local, units
Of, government to improve, the present health, safety, convenience, and'welfare of their, citizens
and to plan for the future development of their Communities to the end that highway systems be
carefully planned; that new community centers grow.only wide adequate highway, utility, health,
educational, and recreational facilities; that the needs of agriculture, industry; and business be.
recognized in the future growth; that: residential areas provide healthy surroundings for family.
life; and that the growth of the community be commensurate with and promotive of the 6ffieicnt
acid economical use of public funds." §76-1-102, MCA. NE believes the adoption of this
master plan amendment would be contrary to both the, spirit and the letter of this law; the existing
Master Plan and the Montana ;Constitution.:
MEIC's two biggest concerns with this proposal are its impacts on water quality and the
downtown of Kalispell. Additional information is needed oid the project's effects on water
quality. -andyuantity'before a decision can.be_made. Dr. Jack Stanford made some very important.
and critical. points regarding the effects -of this project on water,quality in the Flathead basin'.
Until more information is gathered regarding the: effects: of this .project on stormwater runoff,
non -point source pollution,. wetlands aiid'.surface and groundwater., the City should not mare a
final decision -.The potential impacts are significant and should be addressed and understood
prior to making a decision, .not at: some laterdate when impacts cannot be'accounted for or
mitigated. "
The economic health and vitality of downtown centers is critical to good.land use planning. ;As
stated by the developer himself-,the-Glaciernaa11 threatens the.healih and vitality of downtown
businesses in Kalispell,. This is contrary
'to :the existing Kalispell Master plane; the purpose of
planning undei state law as stated above; and.smartgrowth techniques. The city should be
extremely coincerned about'the diain'this'mall wjTl have on existing businesses, its tax,base and
its ability to adequately provide services in the future -The city should wait until the .suggested , .
Main Office: P.O. Box.1184, Hclena, MT 59624,'Tetephone (406) 443-2520, Fax (406) 443-2507
114 W. Pine; Missoula, NIT5980Z, Telephone (406) 721-3589
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05/10/1996 02:33 000000000000 000000 PAGE 02
market analysis of this projects impacts on existing businesses is complete before making a
decision.'
Of course MEIC is also concemM.about the negative effects this proposal may have on .prime
farm lands, strip developznent,.residential use, and transportation. We believe .additional analyses
are necessary to guarantee that `existizig businesses, Kalispell residents, and Montana taxpayers
are not burdened with poorly planned and unnecessary development. And these additional
studies are critical to guaranteeing that the city is complying with Montana's constitutional duty
to maintain and improve.a clean and healthful environment. Without this necessary information
that city cannot guarantee this fundamental right.
Until additional information has been collected and analyzed and the publie:has had the
opportunity to review that information and comment on it,, this action is premature. We request
that you gather the necessary information to rmake a reasonable and prudent decision that is in. the
long-term best interest of the citizens of Kalispell and the State of Montana.
Since 1y,'
Anne,H.edges
Program Director