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Oct 17, 2011 Public Hearing Written CommentsOctober 5, 2011 Honorable Mayor Tammi Fisher and City Council City of Kalispell 2011st Avenue East Kalispell MT 59901 Dear Mayor Fisher, I am writing with regards to the proposed changes to the West Side Urban Renewal Plan. As you know, we are the developers and owners of the Spring Creek Apartments in Kalispell. While that property will not be directly included in the expanded Urban Renewal area, it will be affected. Organized and orderly development is always a benefit to the local economy and thus a benefit to our existing project. It is my belief that Urban Renewal Plans, and the associated tools that come along with them, give the cities, land owners, and developers access to tools that facilitate access to national, state, local and private resources necessary for orderly development. As an example, Sparrow is currently pursing a Senior Housing project in the Option 2 - Expansion Area that will benefit from the expansion. Just the simple fact that they city is making an effort to focus on an area for development would give it a leg up in the fierce competition at the state level. Additionally, there are great benefits of developing and/or redeveloping parcels located close to the urban core. Unfortunately, often the development costs near the core is greater than on the outskirts of town. As a result of this cost difference, new development will gravitate towards the edges of the city. This however, creates a long term cost to the city by expanding the service area for policy,fire, and other city services. An Urban Renewal District bring tools to the table that make it possible to work towards creative solutions to offsetting the urban development costs that will, in the long term result in lower cost and most effective use of ground. As developers and land owners in Kalispell, we support the expansion of the Westside Urban Renewal Plan, specifically Option 2. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Kindest Regards, r-"10 /ZdtX/ Alex Burkhalter VP Development - Sparrow Group Sparrow G000P 619 S.W. HIGGINS AVE. STE E MISSOULA, MT 59803 (406) 251-5076 1 FAX (406) 541-4944 SPARROWGROUPLLC.COM ontana e St ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT October 6, 2011 The Honorable Tammi Fisher And City Councilors City of Kalispell 201 1st Avenue East Kalispell, MT 59901 Dear Mayor and Councilors: The board of directors of Montana West Economic Development is supporting the expansion plan for the Westside Urban Renewal Development plan for purposes to support economic development in a broad sense. The term broad includes infrastructure and transportation improvement, improving property for redevelopment potential, and creating residential connectivity with the commercial sector. The improvements increase the attractiveness for new investment thus improving or expanding the tax base in the future. The planning effort by the City is commendable. Stakeholders expect visioning and planning from the City, making things happen versus waiting on things to happen; especially when the tools and resources are available. We are doing our part by aligning resources available to us to leverage the City's vision of removing the railroad tracks. Property acquisition for creating a rail served industrial park is in motion and could be finalized by the second quarter of 2012. Due diligence and partnerships are under discussion to create community and private business benefit. Sincerely, Kellie Danielson President 314 Main Street, Kalispell, Montana 59901 Shirley Anderson 51 Three Mile Drive Kalispell, MT 59901 406 752-8879 Planning Department 201 lst Ave East October 10/2011 Kalispell, Mt 59901 RE: West Side Urban Renewal Plan amending Thank you for sending me your notice of public hearing letter regarding modification to the West Side Urban Renewal District Plan. I have lived at the same address since 1972. (51 Three Mile Drive). For numerous years my residence was out of city limits. It was eventually annexed into the city even though I and several other land owners protested. My taxes doubled because of being in city limits. I feel that after all these years being in the city I should have city sewer going by my house. I think the closest it has come to me is to the Veterans building on Three Mile Drive. It seems everyone around my area has it. There have been new sub divisions going in all over my area and the City still has not run sewer line by my house and several others that were annexed in also. Please address this at your next meeting. I would greatly appreciate a reply back as to the possiblity of the sewer line going by my house as it is inside city limits and sewer should be a service of the city. Thanks so much for your consideration. Shirley M. Anderson 51 Three Mile Drive Kalispell, MT 59901 406 752-8879 P! AEM A ALLIS-CHALMERS liq Nmw-- Used -- RonCs|o P.O. Box 47 Kalispell, K4ontona5QQU3-0O47 (408)257-4388 ° (4U6)257-4383Fax City of Kalispell Kalispell, MT 59901 After much consideration, the secret to Kalispell's success will be determined by the removal of the railroad tracks. The major portion of Kalispell is split in half with very few crossings. The same condition exists for water and sewer service for the majority of properties in and around the railroad tracks. Through the years, we have had to put up with considerable problems from transients and would love to see these areas restored. Sincerely, Gerry Stahlberg, President Northwest Machinery, Inc. cc: Tammi Fisher, Mayor Jane Howington, City Manager City Council "i"r DOWNTOWN Kalispell Downtown Association October 13, 2011 Honorable Mayor Fisher and City Council Members, On behalf of the Kalispell Downtown Association Board of Directors, I am writing this letter of support for the boundary expansion of the Westside Urban Renewal District. For many years, boards, councils, citizens and business leaders in our community have talked about the relocation of the railroad tracks that divide and hinder redevelopment in an area of Kalispell that is ripe for redevelopment. The proposal before you would finally set forth a plan to help make this a reality. The goals proposed in the West Side Urban Renewal plan modification will improve pedestrian, vehicular and bicycle infrastructure in an area of great need. Transportation improvements will provide our residents with safe and convenient access to existing business in downtown Kalispell and provide for a more pedestrian friendly downtown. The potential for major economic development sites after the removal of blight within the area will enhance our downtown district by continuing to strengthen the very core of our community as the economic /commercial / business hub of Flathead Valley. A short drive or walk through the proposed area of expansion will present to you many boarded up buildings, vacant lots and needed infrastructure. In these tough economic times, we have been presented an opportunity to utilize many tools to accomplish redevelopment and economic stimulus in our city. You have our support as downtown businesses to move forward, accept the challenge and assist our community with this much needed redevelopment. Sincerely, Pam Carbonari & the Kalispell Downtown Association Board of Directors P. O. Box 1997, Kalispell, Mt. 59903 * (406) 253-6923 pamndowntownkalispe ll. com Kalispell Business Improvement District P. O. Box 1997 Kalispell, Mt. 59903 (406) 253-6923 October 14, 2011 Mayor Fisher and Council members, The Kalispell Business Improvement District is pleased to write this letter in favor of amending the West Side Urban Renewal District by expanding the plans boundaries, identifying blight within the expanded boundary and developing goals to address those issues. The original plan developed in 1994 was intended to give direction to redevelopment within the West Side District. Many projects within this district have been accomplished, from water and sewer mains to the North Meridian Road rebuild. It is a logical progression to expand the boundaries to the properties that are contiguous to the current district. By expanding the boundaries we will have the opportunity to address blight in the proposed area and continue the work of economic revitalization in an area that we have discussed for many years. It is now time to not only talk about revitalization and the issue of the railroad track that divides this section of town from the downtown core but to actually make a plan with goals and then move forward with implementing those goals. The Kalispell Business Improvement District was established to support the economic growth and vitality of downtown Kalispell and to maintain and promote its unique character rich in history. This proposal and the potential of the relocation of the railroad tracks will be an asset to the downtown by creating easier traffic patterns for vehicular traffic thereby creating a more pedestrian friendly downtown. It will help improve the area directly adjacent to the downtown with elimination of blight and the potential for additional business in the area which will compliment our downtown district. In conclusion, the Kalispell Business Improvement District wholeheartedly endorses the proposal to amend the West Side Urban Renewal District to include the Flathead County Fairgrounds and the railroad corridor as proposed and adopted by the Kalispell Planning Board. ely, Pam Carbon Coordinator www.downtownkalispell.com C�a_�r-��rrrrrce Providing Economic, Community, and Workforce Development Services www.kalispelichamber.com October 17, 2011 The Honorable Mayor Tammi Fisher and Members of Kalispell City Council City of Kalispell 201 First Avenue East Kalispell, MT 59901 Re: Support for Amending the Westside Urban Renewal District Dear Mayor Fisher and Member of City Council: On behalf of our Board of Directors and membership, I would like to express the support of the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce for amending the Westside Urban Renewal District as recommended by your staff and the Kalispell City Planning and Zoning Commission. A plan that revitalizes the area encompassing the historic railroad yard, such as the one proposed, will be an excellent contribution to our economy and civic environment. It is time to make a focused effort on achieving some of the long -held goals for this downtown area that are articulated on pages 18-19 of the Staff Report. By taking this step, you will enable private investment to be directed and leveraged with tax increment funds, Brownfield funds, and other sources that will benefit not just Kalispell, but the entire region. I look forward to working with you to revitalize downtown and get people back to work in Kalispell. Since ely, Jo Unterreiner, President lispell Chamber of Commerce OFFICE 406.758.2800. 406.758.2805 FAX • 15 Depot Park, Kalispell, MT 59901 Planning Department M I I ¢ AN,enne East K2hspelt w 59" 1 Pbane: (406) 758-7940 Fai: (406) 758-7739 "-w.kalispelLcom/planninQ October 5, 2011 Dear Property Oumer: The city council, at its October 3rd meeting, set a public hearing date (notice attached) of October 17�11 to gather input and opinions for the council's consideration as to whether the West Side Urban Renewal Plan should be amended. The proposed amendments to the plan include expanding the plan's boundaries, identifying blighting issues within the expanded boundary and setting goals to address these issues. As you can see on the attached map, there has been a West Side Urban Renewal Plan in existence since 1994. This plan was intended to give broad direction to redevelopment efforts in the mapped area and at the time included improving vehicle and pedestrian mobility (North Meridian Road), installing and improving public infrastructure (sewer and water mains) in certain areas and encouraging new development on the west side of Kalispell. Being within an urban renewal plan does not increase your property taxes - it is merely a planning tool that can be used to help improve neighborhoods, redevelop properties and address identified issues within the plan area. The proposed amendments to the plan focus on expanding the boundary to include additional lands along the railroad easterly to Woodland Park to address: • Impact of the railroad tracks • Improving street and pedestrian connections closed by the tracks • Lack of sidewalks • Aged condition of existing water and sewer lines - 40,W a 60wr P u`ff, n� - N �S • Develcpment redevelopment of vac ant lots and buildings f p GPI • Brownfield sites within the proposed expansion area f2 es iv&rx0"5 • Redevelopment issues at the county fairgrounds A detailed discussion of the issues listed above with recommendations and goals can be found in staff report # KRD 11-1 A found on the city's website, �vw-w.kalispell.com, under the link for Mayor and City Council/Agenda - under West Side Urban Renewal Plan on the agenda. The information can also be viewed at the planning department's office located at 201 First Avenue East Monday through Friday during normal business hours, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or you may call the planning office at (406) 758-7940 so that other arrangements can be made.