Growth Policy DiscussionDate: 4/3/00
Pages: 2
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05/03/00 21:08 FAX 7568993
Time: 9:06 PM
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CITIZEN-CFBF 1 [a 01
Growth: Wlro Pays the Bill
A L gok at Key Questions to Consider in. Developing a Growth Policy Plan for Kalispell
May 16 or May 17
With Ja nes Duncan, an urban planner with over 30 years of professional service to more than 100
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cities, counties, regions, and states throughout the nation.
Please re Aew the draft list below of proposed topics for discussion. Are there others you would like
to add? Which topics are of most interest to you? (Indicate by each question one of the following:
star=ven interested, d= good question, - =not very interested) Which day and time would be best for
a public, vorkshop on this topic? Citizens For A Better Flathead is requesting your feedback to ensure
that this • opportunity is tailored to meets the needs and interests of the Kalispell City Council. 'Thank
you for providing us this input.
1. N dhat is a reasonable amount of retail commercial space for a regional service area like
Ealispell? At what point does an area reach a saturation point that could harm existing
t usinesses?
2. ghat kind of incentives could Kalispell offer to promote redevelopment within the city as
c pposed to new growth on the outskirts? What tools can a community use to identify and
I rioritize areas for redevelopment?
3. I low do you set reasonable boundaries for urban growth? Is it possible to identify how many
Gres should be provided for a five to ten year period?
4. How do you direct growth to locate where you want it, as opposed to this being primarily
c eveloper driven?
5. Are there basic requirements that should be met by a developer before the city commits staff
t.me to a project proposal?
6. 1 low does urban density or urban form (patterns of growth) affect the cost of growth?
7. from a national perspective, what are some common growth related issues that communities
1 ke Kalispell are facing. What creative solutions are being used to address these and what are
common pitfalls to watch for?
8. "5% of the growth in the county is taking place outside of the city limits of Kalispell, Whitefish,
�.nd Columbia Falls. This growth, however, clearly benefits and relies on the resources that
I liese cities provide. Are there tools that can be used to identify and recover any of these costs?
9- 1 low do you evaluate the cost/benefits of annexation, particularly with areas that were built
vith substandard infrastructure?
10. l Kalispell is currently undertaking studies to evaluate and identify needed upgrades to its sewer,
vater and storm water facilities to meet committed uses and future growth. It is anticipated
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Date: 4/3/00 Time: 9:06 PM
Pages: 2 Duration: 2 min 3 sec
Sender: 7568993 Company:
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Tyr 05/03/00 21:08 FAX 7568993 CITIZEN-CFBF
tl iat the city may need to soon plan for expansion of the sewer treatment plant. It is also
a iticipated that Kalispell will need to add another fire station. Can you review and compare
f Lcility financing techniques for these types of projects? How do you fairly determine who
s could pay for the need for expanded facilities that new growth generates?
11. B.alispell does not currently have a sufficient capital replacement fund in place. Funding to
r :place items like new fire trucks or dump trucks must be found within the existing general fund
b adget. Could you speak to the relationship between a capital improvement/ replacement fund
a'id the development of a long range growth policy plan?
12. N Jhen the commercial tax base declines as it has for the past few years in the Kalispell and as
ii will continue to do under taxing; caps imposed under Senate Bill 184 the residential portion
c f the tax base is relied on to make up the difference or services are cut. Are there tools
a vailable to monitor to what extent homeowners are being asked to subsidize new commercial
rowth?
13. low does a city like Kalispell evaluate the cost/benefits on improvements to the existing tax
1: ase as opposed to expansion of new commercial growth? What types of revitilization efforts
I ave other cities undertaken to assure that their tax base remains stable?
14. 1 low can the three cities and county evaluate and explore cost-effective delivery of services
f )r overlapping services such as roads, police, and fire? 1999's SE 95 is an act authorizing
counties to voluntarily appropriate and transfer funds to municipalities to supplement the cost
c f infrastructure development and maintenance.
15. 1lnder SB 194, as mills are allowed to increase to maintain fiscal 1999 local government
g roperty tax revenue and service levels, the residential share of the total tax base in the State
(f Montana is estimated to increase from 39% to 49%, a $49 million increase. Agricultural
I Inds' share is estimated statewide to increase from 7% to 9%, a $10 million increase_ SB200
l phases out taxes on class 8 business equiptment, a $83 million cut. How does a small
community like Kalispell track this type of shifting tax base? Are there tools available to
s aonitor to what extent homeowners are being asked to subsidize infastructure needs associated
vith new commercial growth?
Please c heck the times that y_Qu could attend and pircle the bQst time for a three-hour work session:
Tuesda',, May 10' Wednesday, May 17'
Mornin;;, 9 a.m.-noon Morning, 9 a.m.-noon
Afterno an 1 p.m.- 4 p.m. Afternoon 1 p.m.- 4 p.m.
Evening; 6:30 p.m_ - 9:30 p.m. Evening 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
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