GeneralTHE ATTACHED
LETTERS
vvERE RECEIVED
AFTER THE
PUBLIC HEARING
ON JANUAR7V 7
WAS CLOS
ED
January 10, 2008
Mayor and City Council
City of Kalispell
P.G. Box 1997
Kalispell, MT 59901
Re: Hearing on Glacier Mall
Dear Mayor and Council Members,
I respectfully urge you to refuse to approve any development proposal that would involve
the installation of stop signals on Highway 93.
The developer's Glacier Mall Transportation Impact Study is self-serving, lacking in
credibility and based upon false assumptions. Parenthetically, have you ever seen a
traffic study con=* ssioned by a developer that concluded the merit of the proposal was
outweighed by the adverse traffic IMPact? These studies finesse the obvious conflict of
interest by basing their opinions on assumptions that aren't true. In this case they falsely
assumed that whitefish Stage and Deserve are built out. But with an added dollop of
disingenuousness they used data from the 2006 Bypass Study that didn't even
contemplate Glacier Mall or its traffic impact!
Keeping; Highway 93 stoplight -free, so that the whole purpose and intent of the bypass is
not thwarted, is obvious, beyond dispute, and warrants outright rei ection of the
41
developer's study. Another course would be the hiring of an independent traffic study
that would be based on fact rather than fiction.
Finally, before your honorable body makes a decision on the annexation of this property,
the assessment of impact fees and the Kalispell Transportation Plan .must be in place.
I respectfully request that my comments be considered by you and made part of the
record of these proceedings.
Sincerely,
Woody Nedom
P.O. Box 2006
Bigfork, MT 59911
Montana Department of Trans ortatfon Jim Lynch, Director
''W't``*you ''f''PrWff 2701 Prospect Avenue - Brian Schweitzer, Governor
Po aox 20 100r
Helena MT 59620-1001
January 4, 2005
Representative .Ton Sonju,
House District 7
PO Box 2954
Kalispell, MT 59903-2954
Subject: Traffic Control and Access Issues on Hwy 93, Forth of Kalis ell
Dear Representative Sonju:
Director Lynch asked that I write you concerning MDT's position on traffic control and access
issues on highway 93, North of Kalispell. Apparently there is some question about the
department's authority relative to jurisdiction over access and traffic lights.
Under the provisions of Section 60-5-103 and 104, MCA, once a highway has been declared a
"controlled access highway" by the transportation commission, the only access location and how
that acce'99 is'regulated, is established by the department of transportation. In doing so, MDT
must uti line traffic control devices in accordance with the statutorily adopted sign manual,
formally known as the Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) as required by
6I-8-2021 MCA.
In 61-8-2033, MCA, the obligation of deciding what type of traffic control device will be used on
state highways falls to the department and gives exclusive jurisdiction for that decision to MDT.
All traffic control devices are based upon specifications and criteria adopted in the interest of
public safety. It is that public safety interest that drives any decision as to use of pavement
markings, signs or traffic signals.
The decision on traffic control devices installed on state routes is done by the department under
its exclusive jurisdiction and following the dictates of the MUTCD as to. type and location.
I realize this is an abbreviated explanation but in the interest of expediency Mr. Lynch asked that
Z provide you sufficient information to set out MDT's position on the highway 93 issues. Please
feel free to contact me if I can provide more information or answer any questions you may have
with regards to the issues outlined by Director Lynch.
Very truly yours,
Timo4-eard n,
Chief
(406) 444-6302
copy: Jim Lynch, Director
Legal Services Unit Web Page: ►rrww.rndt_mt.gov
Phone: (406) 444--7277 An Equal Employer Road Report- (800) 226-7623 or 511
Fax: (406) 444- 7206 T7Y: 18001 335- 7 592
WOLFORD
DEVE-LOPMENTI, INC.
January 15, 2008
Honorable Mayor Kennedy and City Council
City of Kalispell
P.O. Box 1997
312 1 st Avenue East
Kalispell, MT 59901
RE: Additional Improvements by the Developer Benefiting the City of Kalispell - Glacier
Town Center
Dear Honorable Mayor and Council Members:
In. the public hearing on Glacier Town Center held on January 7, 2008, our team addressed the Council on a
variety of topics pertaining to the application as well as the development itself one of the items on which I
personally spoke was the many concessions and donations we have made to the City and others in order to
show our commitment to both the project itself and the City of Kalispell. After making those statements at
the public hearing, I felt it would be appropriate for me to reiterate them in this letter as well as place some
approximate value/cost estimates on these donations to the City.
A couple of the concessions I mentioned have somewhat of an intangible value associated with them. These
include switching sites from the Highway 2 site to the current site on Highway 93 to alleviate concerns
involving the aquifer. This change involved hundreds of thousands of dollars in "sunk" costs primarily
associated with preliminary design of the project on that site that we will never be able to recover. Also
included is the transition from an enclosed mall to an open air Lifestyle Center at the request of many
community members which again involved significant "sunk" design costs we will be unable to recover.
Please keep in mind that the building costs associated with the Lifestyle Center design can be as much as
twice the building costs associated with an enclosed mall design when considering the same size of leasable
area. we are talking tens of millions of dollars in additional costs our company is incurring on this item
alone.
In terms of our donations and contributions to the City, let me begin with our expenditures on the City's
traffic needs. As I stated in the public hearing, we are accomplishing a major goal in the transportation needs
of the valley by extending Rose Crossing from whitefish Stage Road to Highway 93 at our cost. Preliminary
budgeting puts the cost of this improvement at approximately $3 million. An auxiliary connection from west
Reserve to the southern entrance of the development on Highway 93 called Many Glacier Road will help
alleviate traffic pressure on the Highway 93/West Reserve intersection and will cost another $3 million. We
will be improving approximately 3000 linear feet of Whitefish Stage Road at a cost of approximately
$500,000. Also, we have agreed to four roundabouts totaling approximately $100,000 and three traffic signals
for the project totaling around $750,000. These improvements total approximately $7,350,000.
The donations and contributions we have made to the city on this project also include a five acre parcel of
land designated for the construction of a community center type of facility that has a value of approximately
$2.1 million. We will be adding a well to the water system costing approximately $500,000 that will help
pressurize the water lines in the area at our cost. Most significantly, in terms of cost, are the parks and
recreation amenities we will be providing. The Growth Policy requirements for the area in terms of parks
and open space are 10% or 48.5 acres. We have far exceeded that number and will be donating
approximately 24 acres of extra open space and park lands to the city. The land value alone for this extra
donation had we utilized it as a part of the project exceeds $10 million. The improvements to this donation
of land we will be providing are projected to exceed $2 million. These donations and contributions total
approximately $14. G million.
As you can see, in combining all of our contributions and donations to the City, you reach a total of
approximately $22 million in projected value/costs. If you 'include the somewhat intangible value of our
concessions on the project, the value jumps to tens of millions of dollars above even that number.
It is time for this project to move forward. We are not able to entertain or consider paying for additional
items not required under the law without bringing back onto the negotiating table items or amenities we have
previously agreed to finance but were not legally required to provide. I feel our company, Wolford
Development, has far exceeded both what we were required to do for the City as well as what others have
done in the past for the City. We are committed to both this project and the greater Kalispell area as a whole
and I feel that the information contained above more than adequately confirms this fact.
Thanks for your time and consideration on this project; your contributions as well as that of others have
made this a better project. If I can be of any further assistance on any of these issues contained herein, please
let me know.
Respectfully Submitted.,
X�'. V V., V
R. Chad Wolford
Wolford Development, Inc.
January 16, 200$
Honorable Mayor and City Council
City of Kalispell
P.O. Box 1997
312 1 st Avenue East
Kalispell, MT 59901
RE: Glacier Town Center Conditions of Approval Applicant Response
Dear Honorable Mayor and Council Members:
Please see the following responses to several recommended conditions of approval from the
Kalispell Planning Board for the Glacier Town Center PLED. This letter is intended to
clarify previously stated positions from Wolford Development, Montana, regarding a
number of the recommended conditions from the Planning Board. For ease of review,
where the applicant is requesting that the council strike certain language in a given condition
and replace it with new language, we have requested deletions anal underlined
the subsequent requested insertions.
Sincerely,
Brent Moore, MCP
Senior Planner, CTA
The applicant requests the following conditions be njthdraLwn or amended:
PUD , Cond lien IA::
A. Kalispell Subdivision Regulations, Section 3.1 LA (Sidewalks)
i. Allows the development of the roads within the project to be designed as
shown in Exhibit F-Roads, of the development application with the
following additions:
�► Road Section A -- provide an 8 foot bike path with a minimum 1 0 foot boulevard
aloe the western side of the mad. The bike path shall connect with the path shown
alatzg Many Glacier Road on the PUD site plan and extend south to the southern
edge of the BPA easement
• Road Section C — provide a 5 foot sidewalk on both sides of the roadway. The
sidewalk shall be located to the outside edges of the right-of-way providin,g a minimum
1 0 foot boulevard
► Road Section D —provide a 5 foot sidewalk along the outside edge of the roadway. A
minimum 5 font boulevard shall be prodded.
Road Section F ---- provide a 5 foot sidewalk on both side of the roadway with a
minimum boulevard width of 5 feet. Note. The southern most access into the
subdivision from Hi,ghway 93 North shall have can S foot bike path in lieu of a
sidewalk on the south side of the roadway to connect with the bike path shown on the
PUD site playa.
• Road Section K —provide a 5 foot sidewalk alarm the southern edge of the right-of-way
along the street frontage of lot 32.
All road sections shall locate the sidewalk or bike path within 1 foot of the right-of-
way boundary.
.Applicant Response:
The applicant requests the additions be withdrawn as per the following:
The Glacier Town Center has been designed with due consideration to a multi -modal
transportation network, including substantial improvements for pedestrian and bicycle
accessibility. with regards to pedestrian and bicycle mobility in and near the Lifestyle
Center, the project utilizes proposed pedestrian ways at the secondary access point off of 93
(8' Bike Path, Access A, road section EE) as well as the eastern entrance boulevard as
illustrated by Type N and o roadways in the Roadway Types Illustration, Exhibit F (5'
sidewalk on both sides) . These entrance features provide direct pedestrian and bicycle access
to the center of the Lifestyle Center. Given many years of experience in the industry, the
applicant feels that it is in the best position to judge the cost versus the benefit of the
sidewalks and/or bike paths surrounding and integrated with the Lifestyle Center.
2
Based on the applicants experience in the industry, the additional sidewalks recommended in
this condition will receive little or no use and will cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to
install. The connections provided by the applicant are more than adequate to serve the
housing and commercial. areas to the east of the Lifestyle Center in terms of the
development's internal pedestrian and bicycle traffic from those areas. The applicant agrees
that these connections are very important due to the increased possibility of pedestrian and
bicycle traffic from those areas as a result of their close proximity to the Lifestyle Center.
However, the applicant also believes that the additional accesses and sidewalks on the
western side of the Lifestyle Center will receive little or no use due to the lack of nearby
sources of pedestrian and bicycle traffic that would be generating this type of traffic in any
large quantity on the western side of this development.
Even though the applicant believes that pedestrian or bicycle traffic in these areas would be
minimal at best, the project provides connectivity to the bike path running north to south
along Highway 93 at Access A (road section E). The applicant feels that any other sidewalks
or paths in this area would not be justified due to lack of use and therefore the hundreds of
thousands of dollars in cost would be an unreasonable and unnecessary financial burden to
the applicant, especially in light of the many other amenities including sidewalks and bike
paths that the applicant is offering throughout more appropriate areas of the development.
i 011
Pedestrian connections shall also be made to surrounding streets and the bike path
located along Highway 93 North. A minimum of one three connections shall be
made from the bike path along Highway 93 North to the Lifestyle Center. A
minimum of Qne two connections shall be made from the sidewalk along Rose
Crossing to the Lifestyle Center. where sidewalks cross traffic lanes, either at public
or private streets or within the parking lot, the sidewalk may be at grade but shall be
constructed of colored or textured concrete, stone or other contrasting material to
visually denote a pedestrian way. Simply painting the walk area is not adequate.
Applicant Response:
The applicant requests this condition be amrmded to reflect one connection in each of the
two aforementioned locations as per the following:
The applicant has provided sufficient connections through the overall design of the Town
Center, including the Lifestyle Center to adequately serve the various areas of the
development based on the nearby sources of pedestrian and bicycle traffic in each respective
area of the project and the demand for this type of traffic that these sources have the
potential to produce. Again, the connections the applicant is providing address all of the
possible sources of this type of traffic and the benefit of additional pedestrian and bicycle
requirements in this area of the development are not going to justify the extensive financial
burden on the applicant as they would rarely be used.
4. The following access points or road connections shall be incorporated into the
design of future phases of the project:
3
A. � �_60-foot local right-of-ways along the 3
oxthem...bQundaa of the project site
Applicant Response:
The applicant requests this condition be aMCnded to reflect four connections rather than six
as per the following:
The applicant believes additional connections will be detrimental to the health, safety and
welfare of residents in future neighborhoods as planned. Additional connections have the
potential to cause excessive pass -through traffic, given the uncertainty associated with future
development to the north of the property.
Furthermore, the subdivision standard 3.07.E allows for block lengths up to 1,200 feet. The
proposed four connections would provide for Mock lengths less than the maximum allowed
block lengths as specified in the subdivision standards. The average block lengths as
proposed with four connections would be approximately 780 feet, 35% less than the
maximum allowable block length.
PIED Condition 4 B •
B. A minimum of one 60--foot local road right-of-way along the residential block
adjacent to tracts 1 and 2 of Certificate of Survey 15221 to provide access to
these properties western boundary.
Applicant Response:
The applicant requests this condition be withdrawn as per the following:
The applicant does not believe that this proposed access point will improve overall access,
and may cause challenges to the projects residential neighborhood adjacent to tracts 1 and 2
of Certificate of Survey 15221. The applicant has provided appropriate access for both
tracts onto Rose Crossing and Lake McDonald Road as proposed.
PU ndition .:
C. All other detached signs shall be monument signs within the Glacier Town
Center Commercial PUD. A monument sign is defined as a freestanding, self-
supporting sign, supported by columns and a base, which is placed at ground
level, and not attached to any building wall, fence or other structure. Monument
signs shall have a maximum building envelope of a r xi_m el 7-6" hi h and
11'-4"w_ e. ' ' including architectural embellishments. An example of a
monument sign is provided in Exhibit H of the Glacier Town Center application,
entry monument sign 2.1.
Applicant Response:
The applicant requests this condition be amended as per the following.
4
The Monument Entrance Elements, being freestanding, self-supporting, with columns and a
base -- the purpose of which is to convey Graphic Information relating to the Lifestyle
Center, need to be in scale with adjacent buildings, the landscape and roadways. To be
legible and to contribute to "sense of place" for the Lifestyle Center, the size of the Element
is intended to be approximately, than T-V high and 11'4" wide, including the architectural
embellishments, as reflected on Exhibit H. 4.1 A through C. Due to the setbacks required,
which the applicant has willingly agreed to, 6'x6' is simply too small to allow for appropriate
legible graphics and font for traffic passing by and may even contribute to an unsafe
situation with motorists straining to try and read them while passing by.
D. Signage on lots 6--10 of Block II and lots 11-16 of Block III of phase 1 shall be
limited as follows:
i. .All monument signs shall be located along the eastern boundary of the lot
adjacent to the internal subdivision road.
Applicant Response:
The applicant requests this condition be withdrawn as per the following:
The applicant requests that the outparcel tenants have the ability to place up to one
monument sign at either the east or west side of the property. This request is made in
consideration of the need for the businesses which choose to locate in this area to have the
ability to appropriately advertise their location.
PUD Condition 23::
2�. The first phase shall be Bled within three years of approval of the effective date of
this PUD. Each successive phase shall be filed within two years of final plat
approval of the previous phase. In all events, each phase shall be freestanding in
terms of public infrastructure, services, parks and open space. The clay council
may grant successive one year extension for each phase of the project. A
request for a one year extension must be made a minimum of 60 days prior to
the expiration date of the phase.
Applicant Response:
The applicant requests this condition be wthdmyn as per the following:
While the applicant understands the intent of the bolded language to provide some
flexibility and the ability to request additional extensions on subsequent phases of the PUD
(as opposed to the plat), the applicant continues to request this language be withdrawn.
While requiring subsequent phases of preliminary plats to be developed in an orderly fashion
is a reasonable requirement of both state and local subdivision regulations, the applicant
believes that requiring similar phasing requirements for planned unit developments (PUD)
has the potential to provide undue hardship should market conditions fluctuate over time, as
they often do. In effect, the applicant believes that a PUD approval should "run with the
5
land," allowing for orderly development to respond to market conditions.
P11D. _Condition 25,
25. The center access off of Highway 93 serving phase 1 shall be reduced from a 110
foot private road night -of -way to a 50 foot private road right-of-way. It shall be
designed with way --� 2 lane design with a v .
ottt access. The road design shall support a '
h with a minim um a
a d v i n r southernmost
alonglu i
Applicant Response. -
The applicant requests this condition be amendgd as per the following:
Please reference previously submitted information from Trager and Associates which clearly
demonstrates the need and safety features of the requested transportation plan for two
signalized intersections and a three-quarter (3/4) movement access.
PUD Condition...26;
26. The applicant reserve lots 15 and 16 at the intersection of Rose Crossing and
Highway 93 for a period not to exceed three years from preliminary plat approval for
the purpose of allowing the city to undertake in concert with MDOT a corridor
preservation. study. If a junior interchange is recommended, the applicant would
reserve the necessary land. If the study is not pursued or if the study concludes a
junior interchange is not feasible, the restriction over lots 15 and 16 would be lifted
at that time or three years from preliminary plat approval.
Applicant Response:
The applicant requests this condition be withdrwyn as per the following:
The applicant believes the reservation of lots 15 and 16 at the intersection of Rose Crossing
and Highway 93 would place an undue hardship on the success of the overall project, due to
uncertainty of the ultimate design a junior interchange might necessitate. Furthermore,
MDT has stated in a letter dated November 28, 2007, that "we are also very concerned as to
the feasibility of ever establishing a Jr. Interchange in the vicinity of the proposed accesses.
Therefore, MDT is acceptable to the understanding that signals will be installed at accesses
(Rose Crossing and B) and that these signals will be permanent."
The applicant believes that given the fact that MDT is the governing body over Highway 93
and after their analysis they see no need for reservation of land for a junior interchange, it is
consequently neither necessary nor reasonable to set aside millions of dollars of the
applicant's land that the state department of transportation has no intention of ever using for
the purpose of a junior interchange. Even though it has been acknowledged that no junior
interchange will ever be at this location by MDT, the applicant's traffic engineer believes that
certain designs for such an interchange potentially could be accommodated by utilizing a
portion of the 100' buffer in the proximity of Rose Crossing thus making it unnecessary to
rel
withhold lots 15 and 16 from the applicant in the unlikely event that a junior interchange
ever did come to fruition at this location. Again, please reference previously submitted
information from K.rager and Associates regarding junior interchanges. The reservation of
lots 15 and 16 indicate the desire to construct a "button hook" interchange. Per the
I
nformation from Krager and Associates, it is clear that this type of interchange would not
sufficiently support the traffic generated by this development.
7
war Kalispell Planning Board and Kalispell City Council,
lease make my ca �nf's part of the public hearing record for both the Glacier Mail/Town Cen-
er� nrid the new KalispellTransportation Plan.
Keep Kalispell to -Whitefish Safe &Stoplight. Free,. Uphold current city and state policies for
mited access , on US Hwy 93. Preserve its safe and efficient operation and the special character
four valley. Require interchanges and similar solutions for growing landuse demands and access..........�!.
this corridor.
Also, Please,..put into place- standaH�:4-o ensure that newdevelopment moves forward.concur
nt with needed transportation infrastructure to ensure safe_: and efficient highway and road
first cotirered-b�#he--newr-�ranspartofiiorr-Plan:
I support the need for the: city: and the state to pI.:an fog :and identify transportation solutions
rr
Aditionally*
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Theresa White
From: rebecca norton [ran nenortonPyahoo.com
Sent: Friday, January 18, 2008 5:20 PM
To: citycouncilkalispell.com
Subject: Glacier Mall/northbound corridors
I live in Whitefish, and have worked in both Kalispell and in Whitefish, as well as having driven around the entire county for
work and leisure. I do not support unplanned growth in this neck of the woods. I've been to most of the states in the nation,
many big cities, and 11 foreign countries. I moved back to the valley
12 years ago because I thought.."where is the most beautiful place I've ever been?", and it was here.
This place is not just special, it is arnazing. We need to preserve the valley for those in the future who will need a
sanctuary -one place in the nation where the landscape is the dominant theme -not box stores, traffic lights, cars cars cars,
noise noise noise, and the rude people that then become the norm ... but someplace where, even as you are driving to
work, even as you do your shopping, even as you tend to the daily chores of Iife..you still see beauty on a moment by
moment basis. if you do not set strict guidelines NOW, you are selling the soul of this place. For what? We humans have
plenty. We will have plenty. And most of us will be gone in a few decades. Why not just be respectful of this glorious
habitat, and allow nature still to be the backdrop. These are dangerous times for us all ... and I am serious when i say that.
You could destroy thousands of years of what nature and God have created in one decision. Please be mindful, and know
that to most of us it really does matter what you vote on. Vote on the beauty, safety, and peace first and foremost. Why
would we want to become "anywhere, USA" when this glory is where we are at?
Preserve it please. Sincerely, Rebecca A. Norton 530 Scott Avenue, Whitefish, MT 59937
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Page 1 of 1
Theresa White
From: Scott Lampshire herennowmontanasky.com]
Sent: Friday, January 18, 2008 6:14 PM
To: citycouncilkalispell.com
Subject: Glacier Town Center mall traffic lights
Dear council members,
I urge you to please consider the effects of putting new traffic lights on Hwy 98 at Glacier Town Center, on the movement of traffic
flow. Please realize the impact of such lights on the through traffic between Whitefish and Kalispell, and also the impact on tourism
traffic through our valley.
Haven't we seen enough poorly planned over -development? Haven't you noticed the increased traffic everywhere, been stuck in it
your self, and wondered, what the &*#9 are we doing to this place that we live in.
Please follow the law as established. Please plan for our future based on common sense, not developer pressure and $$$
Thank you for your consideration.
Scott Lampshire
725 Cth Ave East
Kalispell, MT 59901
257-7572
1/22/2008
rage i. of i
Theresa White
From: Pete Wessel [pete_wesse I hotmai I . com
Sent: Friday, January 18, 2OO8 6:57 PM
To: citycouncilgkalispell.com
Subject: NO MORE STOPLIGHTS ON 93
Remove the "Best"....from Last, Best Place .... and you have Last Place.
Montana had the distinction of many low rankings, including per capita income, but we were drawn there for the natural beauty and
inexpensive homes. Now the Stadium Theatres and even the Sportsman block the view of Badrock Canyon and the low wages there
don't equate to homeownership for too many.
What we found were the same problems that we were trying to escape from other "desirable" places we had lived, even in areas
that had done good preparations for growth.
We have since moved away from Kalispell because of the lack of planning for growth...transportation systems neglect is already
apparent. Do not back down on keeping 93 Stoplight Free. The City needs to ALWAYS retain the services of a traffic consultant to
perform the services that are not adequately represented on staff .... on a regular basis.
It was a nice couple years for us there but the outlook was too grim to stay. I found it interesting to measure the Flathead Valley
on Google Earth and see it is virtually the same size as the Las Vegas Valley. Here are the growth numbers for the City of Las Vegas
(Year, Population, Annual Growth Rate):
1950 pop. 25,000 growth 19°la
1960
64,000
16%
1970
126,000
9%
1980
164,000
3%
1990
258,000
6%
2000
478,000
8%
2006
5521000
2%
Of course, the Flathead won't grow that fast???!!! I certainly could imagine the population of the Valley floor heading to 100,000 in
the next ten years (it is already around 60,000). Good luck.
It's pretty scary that 2,000 homes are being approved annually in Kalispell and the ten year old Transportation Plan is incredibly
outdated. The new one is not even adopted and the City made practically no effort in getting people involved. No one there wants
to listen.
Helping your favorite cause is as easy as instant messaging. You IM, we give. Learn more.
1/22/2008
gage .1 of 1
Theresa White
From: Mary Jo Gardner [mjgardner@centurytel.net]
Sent: Saturday, January 19, 2098 8:33 AM
To: citycouncil@kalispell.com
Subject. re: Glacier Town
Traffic clog makes more smog! Please consider transportation issues for the mess to come at the north end of this
treasured valley. Thank you. Mary Jo Gardner
1/22/2008
Theresa White
From: Casey Fagre [caseyramblinroze@hotmail.com]
Sent: Sunday, January 20, 2008 10:05 PM
To: citycouncil@kalispell.com
Subject: Glacier Mall and Kalispell Transportation Plan comments
Please make my comments part of the public hearing record for both the Glacier Mall/Town center and the new Kalispell
Transportation Plan.
Please support and call for an independent review of the mall traffic study and bring in an expert to review possible
solutions for the keeping Hwy 93 stoplight free now, before you reach a decision on the mall.
Keep Kalispell to Whitefish safe and Stoplight Free. Uphold current city and state policies for limited access on to US Hwy
93. Preserve its safe and efficient operation and the special character of our valley. Require interchanges and similar
solutions for growing land use demands and access in this corridor.
Also, please put in place standards to ensure that new development moves forward concurrent with needed transportation
infrastructure to ensure safe and efficient highway and road systems in the Kalispell area covered by the new Kalispell
Transportation Plan
I support the need for the city and the state to plan for and identify transportation solutions and options BEFORE
development applications are considered for subdivision review.
Sincerely,
Casey R. Fagre
West Glacier, MT
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Page 1 of i
Theresa white
From: Barbara Gutschenritter bgutsch@hotmail.com
Sent: Monday, January 21, 2008 3:49 AM
To: citycouncil@?kalispell.com
Subject: U5 93 access
I want to communicate to you that both my husband, Tom Caughlan, and I are in full support of Citizens for a Better Flathead's
position on US 93 access. Plz uphold current policies of limited access onto Hwy 93. Plz do not allow this Glacier Mall or any other
developers to put in more stop lights. PLz preserve the free flow of access north to WE Complete a corridor access plan for US 93
before granting access to Glacier Mall or any other developments. We remain in opposition to this superfluous Glacier Mail.
Barbara Gutschenritter,MD and Tom Caughlan, MD
310 Lake Hills DR
Kalispell, MT 59901
Need to know the score, the latest nevus, or you need your Hotmail@-get your "fix". C_h.eck _t. out..
1/22/2008
Page 1 of 1
Theresa White
From: Bonnie Smith [brsmith centurytel.net]
Sent: Monday, January 21, 2008 10:31 AM
To: citycouncil@kalispell.com
Cc: jilynchgmt.gov
Subject: PLEASE PUT IN THE STOP LIGHTS AND THE MALL
Xdnniz Smith
4756 X"W 93 South
Xa&pdf, Atontww 599CI
4V6 857 3439
Greeting from a 12 month resident of Kalispell
PLEASE STOP THIS NONSENCE AND PROCEED WITH THE MALL. IF SOME PEOPLE DON'T LIKE TO
DRIVE AT
A SAFE RATE OF SPEED OR ARE UPSET THAT A FEW TRAFFIC LIGHTS WILL GET THEM BACK AND FORTH TO
WHITEFISH
WITH A 2 MINUTE DELAY... OH WELL... SO SAD... TOO BAD.
WE NEED A GOOD MALL WITH GOOD STORES. PLEASE APPROVE THE PLAN AND PROCEED WITH
THE NEW MALL.
HWY 93 IS NOT A SUPER HIGHWAY, AND WAS NEVER MEANT TO BE ONE. IF THERE WERE MORE
STOP LIGHTS
PEOPLE MAY DRIVE A LITTLE SAFER.
PLEASE GET THE MALL PROJECT UNDER WAY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR HARD WORK.. THANKS FOR THE NEW MALL AND THE STOP LIGHTS.
SINCERELY,
J13annie Smith
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1/22/200S
PO .Box 788
Lakeside MT 59922
2t Jan 2008
City of Kalispell
City Council
Kalispell MT 59901
Dear City Council Members,
I am a city property owner and have been following various items related to city
improvements over the last couple of months. Please accept the following comments on
issues of both immediate and not -so immediate concern.
1. Traffic options for the wolford development. I believe that Rose Crossing
has the potential to be a major east -west connector between the
airport/Highway 2 and Highway 93, and possibly by extension or other links,
such as via Church Dr., to the west valley. who -pays -for -what may be less
important than preserving appropriate rights -of -way through the Wolford
property. The scheme to divert by-pass funds to extend the Reserve Loop
through Hutton Ranch (which I did not support) pointed up the difficulty of
re -engineering internal mall streets after the malls have had substantial build
out. Rose Crossing could/ will become a major arterial in the valley,
particularly if there are impediments to upgrading Reserve. If the city and the
developer work together, it will maximize both the commercial activity and
traffic movement. The consistent failure of the county to upgrade its roads
(unless a US senator literally calls them up and throws over $5 million at
something like the Reserve Loop) is unlikely to change overnight, but
maintaining feasible plans and cooperative transportation planning is still
good city policy.
2. Stay the course on the Highway 93 by-pass. It is needed and the brunt of the
degrading effects causes by large commercial truck traffic is being borne by
Kalispell residents and taxpayers. The rapid growth of retail north of town is
not a bad thing per se, but it has created a steep burden on the center of town
in terms of noise, emissions, waits at lights, etc. due to the requirements of
construction and big box inventory maintenance. A limited access Hwy 93
by-pass is overdue especially as the existing highway becomes ever more
localized with curb cuts, arterial lights, and prudent speed limits.
3. with the growth northward, non -vehicular links for bicycles and pedestrians
to the FVCC and the hospital complex have been neglected. It is time to
move redressing these oversights up on the city's transportation priority list.
4. Highway 93/Highway 2 beautification at Main and Idaho. A major part of me
says, "why bother?" The two bronzes commissioned to date are worthy, but
the sites are not. Drivers have to be totally heads up and pedestrians even
more so. I tried to imagine myself sitting on the benches and could only
justify doing so if I were trying the screw up my courage to cross or were
Page I of I
Theresa White
From: susenmarie [crazysusen@yahoo.com
Sent: Monday, January 21, 2008 12:53 PM
To: citycouncilgkalispell.com
PLEASE BE MINDFUL OF OUR FUTURE IN FLATHEAD VALLEY. PLEASE NO STOPLIGHTS ALONG
HIGHWAY 93. PLEASE STOP THIS NON-SENSICAL OBNOXIOUS OVER -DEVELOPMENT OF OUR
BEAUTIFUL OPEN SPACES. LET'S SPEND OUR. HARD EARNED MONEY ON OUR YOUTH AND OUR
FARMERS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo I. Search.
1/22/2008
Yage 1 of 1
Theresa White
From: Edwin Fields [edwin fieldsconstruction.us
Sent: Tuesday, January 22, 2008 7:57 AM
To: citycouncil9kalispell.com
Subject: Transportation
Please consider a new traffic study for development along highway 93. We have the luxury of taking our time to do so. I
don't think any of us want to have development snarl our traffic patterns. Thanks, Edwin Fields, 511 Lakewood ct.
Whitefish. 862-7269
1/22/2008
January 22, 2008
Kalispell Planning Board
Kalispell City Council
Dear Members,
Please make my comments part of the record for both the Glacier Mall/Town
Center and the new Kalispell Transportation Plan.
* Keep Kalispell to Whitefish Safe & Stoplight Free. Uphold current city and
state policies for limited access on US Hwy 33. Preserve its safe and efficient
operation and the special character of our valley. Require interchanges and
similar solutions for growing land use demands and access in this corridor.
* Also, please put into place standards to ensure that new development moves
forward -concurrent -with needed transportation infrastructure to ensure safe -and
efficient highway and road systems in the Kalispell area covered by the new
Transportation Plan.
* I support the need for the city and the state to plan for and identify
transportation solutions and options BEFORE development applications are
aonsrderectfor subdivision review.
Additionally:
After attending the presentation by National Transportation Expert Dan Burden
last evening, I request that Members reconsider Kalispell's transportation/
infrastructure plans. Ideas mentioned by Mr. Burden, for the community's natural
and economic sustainabillty, as well. as safety, made a tot of sense and have a
proven track record. Some of the transportation/community planning
development points that I particularly found to be very positive and would like to
see incorporated in Kalispell were:
A "walkable community"
Traffic calming
Well designed street intersections and round -a -bouts
Street grid connectivity
Bike lanes, Sidewalks and Trails
Increased property values
Business vitality
Less crime �
Afford able"consttuction and maintenance
Also:
Kalispell City Council Members
Pamela Kennedy, Jim Atkinson, Kari Gabriel
Robert Hafferman, Randy Kenyon, Tim Kiuesner
Duane Larson, Hank Olson, Wayne Saverud
PO Box 1997
Kalispell, MT 59901
Dear city Council Members,
I felt like I needed to write a letter to address the issues with the Wolford Project and the
stoplights as well as Highway 93 north of Reserve in general as it applies to your traffic plan. I
was present at the public comment session on January 7, 2008 and listened with interest to the
different viewpoints presented regarding stoplights. There was a wide range of comments made
but the main points made were 1) Introducing traffic signals to that stretch of highway will cause
a safety hazard, and 2) Traffic signals should not be installed because Highway 93 from
Reserve to Whitefish should be a "thoroughfare". I am currently a Broker in Kalispell as well as a
volunteer Paramedic and Vice President of one of our local ambulance organizations. I am
writing this letter from the perspective of an Emergency Responder. I have been an Emergency
Medical Responder for the past 8 years, 4 of those a paramedic. I have responded to countless
traffic accidents, both fatal and minor. In Emergency Medicine we study physics and kinematics
to attempt to predict the type and severity of trauma incurred by certain types of vehicle
accidents so that we can correctly identify and treat life threatening injuries.
All accidents are based upon a simple law of energy, Newton's First Law of Motion which states
that energy cannot be created nor destroyed. The motion of a vehicle travelling down the road is
a form of energy. When the motion starts or stops, (i.e. vehicle collision whether it be with
another vehicle, a fixed object or a single vehicle accident) the energy changes to another form.
The mechanical energy of a vehicle crashing is dissipated by the bending of the frame or other
parts of the vehicle. The remaining is transferred to the occupants and their internal organs.
Kinetic energy is a function of an object's weight and speed and is a large indicator as to the
severity of an accident. The relationship between weight and speed as it affects kinetic energy
is as follows:
Kinetic Energy = 1/2 of the mass x the velocity squared
Basically what this all means is that speed kills. Increasing the velocity (speed) increases the
rate of production of kinetic energy much more than increasing the mass. Much greater damage
will occur in a high-speed crash than in a crash at a slower speed. Very few of Montana's
vehicle miles traveled occur in the urban environment. A high percentage of miles traveled are
at rural speeds increasing the likelihood of more severe crashes. Single vehicle accidents,
where the vehicle leaves the road, account for 30% of all crashes, but over 81 % of all fatal
crashes.
The stretch of road that has been the source of contention for the Wolford Project is that from
North of Reserve to Whitefish. Along this stretch of road we have multiple traffic fatalities each
year. Most of these fatalities are due to speed and alcohol. This is also one of the main
roadways traveled in the Flathead Valley. If you place stoplights along this stretch of roadway
you will be slowing the traffic down thereby decreasing the opportunity for traffic fatalities. There
is no way that Hwy 93 from Reserve to Whitefish can be clear of traffic signals. As the
population in rural areas increases there will be far more vehicles accessing Hwy 93 from the
current access points and without signals you are creating a hazardous situation in which
vehicles will attempt to pull out into traffic moving at high rates of speed, thereby increasing the
opportunity for traffic caused fatalities. An example of this is the newly constructed light at the
Kalispell City council Members
Pamela Kennedy, ,.lira Atkinson, Kari Gabriel
Robert Hafferman, Randy Kenyon, Tim Kluesner
Duane Larson, Hank Olson, Wayne Saverud
PO Box 1997
Kalispell, MT 59901
Dear City Council Members,
I felt like I needed to write a letter to address the issues with the Wolford Project and the
stoplights as well as Highway 93 north of Reserve in general as it applies to your traffic plan. I
was present at the public comment session on January 7, 2008 and listened with interest to the
different viewpoints presented regarding stoplights. There was a wide range of comments made
but the main points made were 1 ) Introducing traffic signals to that stretch of highway will cause
a safety hazard, and 2) Traffic signals should not be installed because Highway 93 from
Reserve to Whitefish should be a "thoroughfare". I am currently a Broker in Kalispell as well as a
volunteer Paramedic and Vice President of one of our local ambulance organizations. I am
writing this letter from the perspective of an Emergency Responder. I have been an Emergency
Medical Responder for the past 8 years, 4 of those a paramedic. I have responded to countless
traffic accidents, both fatal and minor. In Emergency Medicine we study physics and kinematics
to attempt to predict the type and severity of trauma incurred by certain types of vehicle
accidents so that we can correctly identify and treat life threatening injuries.
All accidents are based upon a simple law of energy, Newton's First Law of Motion which states
that energy cannot be created nor destroyed. The motion of a vehicle travelling down the road is
a form of energy. When the motion starts or stops, (i.e. vehicle collision whether it be with
another vehicle, a fixed object or a single vehicle accident) the energy changes to another form.
The mechanical energy of a vehicle crashing is dissipated by the bending of the frame or other
parts of the vehicle. The remaining is transferred to the occupants and their internal organs.
Kinetic energy is a function of an object's weight and speed and is a large indicator as to the
severity of an accident. The relationship between weight and speed as it affects kinetic energy
is as follows:
Kinetic Energy = 1/2 of the mass x the velocity squared
Basically what this all means is that speed kills. Increasing the velocity (speed) increases the
rate of production of kinetic energy much more than increasing the mass. Much greater damage
will occur in a high-speed crash than in a crash at a slower speed. Very few of Montana's
vehicle miles traveled occur in the urban environment. A high percentage of miles traveled are
at rural speeds increasing the likelihood of more severe crashes. Single vehicle accidents,
where the vehicle leaves the road, account for 30% of all crashes, but over 51 % of all fatal
crashes.
The stretch of road that has been the source of contention for the Wolford Project is that from
North of Reserve to Whitefish. Along this stretch of road we have multiple traffic fatalities each
year. Most of these fatalities are due to speed and alcohol. This is also one of the main
roadways traveled in the Flathead Valley. If you place stoplights along this stretch of roadway
you will be slowing the traffic down thereby decreasing the opportunity for traffic fatalities. There
is no way that Hwy 93 from Reserve to Whitefish can be clear of traffic signals. As the
population in rural areas increases there will be far more vehicles accessing Hwy 93 from the
current access points and without signals you are creating a hazardous situation in which
vehicles will attempt to pull out into traffic moving at high rates of speed, thereby increasing the
opportunity for traffic caused fatalities. An example of this is the newly constructed light at the
Highway 93 and Highway 82 intersection. Prior to the installation of that light the only light on
that stretch of Highway as you leave Kalispell is at the intersection of Hwy 93, Cemetery Road
and Willow Glen and the next traffic signal is many miles down the road. As north of Reserve,
Hwy 93 South of Kalispell is set up very much the same way with current access roads along it.
After many traffic fatalities at the intersection of Hwy 93 and Hwy 82 it was determined that the
addition of a stoplight would thereby decrease the hazardous conditions, much like it will north
of Reserve with the W olford Project.
To keep Hwy 93 north of Kalispell free of traffic lights you would need to prohibit current access
points as they exist and install frontage roads, which is clearly not feasible. commercial
development naturally occurs along Highways as many homeowners would much rather be far
from the noise from the Highway. Why not use this corridor as a commercial growth corridor and
allow residential development to happen away from the Highway as it should be?
Sincerely,
Corey Salois
January 22, 200E
Kalispell Planning Board
Kalispetf city council
Dear Members,
Please make my comments part of the record for both the Glacier Mail/Town
Center and the new Kalispell Transportation Plan.
* Keep Kalispell to Whitefish Safe & Stoplight Free. Uphold current city and
-state _pol-i-ci-e-s for- limited -amass on AjS -Hwy--93. -P-reserve- its safe and nt
operation and the special character of our valley. Require interchanges and
similar solutions for growing land use demands and access in this corridor.
* Also, please put into place standards to ensure that new development moves
forward -concurrent -with needed trap 'm-irftstnxAure-lo -ensure safe -and
efficient highway and road systems in the Kalispell area covered by the new
Transportation Plan.
* I support the need for the city and the state to plan for and identify
transportation solutions and options BEFORE development applications are
considered for subdivision review.
Additionally:
After attending the presentation by National Transportation Expert Dan Burden
last- evening, I request that Members reconsider Kalispell's- transportation/
infrastructure plans. Ideas mentioned by Mr. Burden, for the community's natural
and eco-nc-sustainabi-ltty,-as--wetl-as safety, made --a fot_ of sense and --have a
proven track record-. Some of the transportation/community planning
development points that I particularly found to be very positive and would like to
see incorporated in Kalispell were:
A =`walkable community"
Traffic catrrring-
Well designed street intersections and round -a -bouts
Street grid -connectivity
Bike lanes, Sidewalks and Trails
Increased -property values
Business vitality
Less crime
Affordabfie' struction and maintenance
Also:
would ask that the Planning Board and City Council employ Mr. Burden and
adopt his -expert ptarrning-design suggestiortsfor the iGtacier -own denier
proposal before finalization is given. A frontage road and more connectivity
roads throughoutwautd-be an excellent solution to traffic and pedestrian issues:
Another suggestion about having the front of the Town Center's businesses face
towardUS 93, with it's associated community planning and reasoning, forecasts
an inviting neighborhood and increases the odds for the community to thrive in
the future_
Thar* you -for -your consideration.
Sincerely,
tinny Coyle 120 Marvin's Way, Kalispell, MT 59901
Po Box 788
Lakeside MT 59922
21. Jan 2008
City of Kalispell
City Council
Kalispell MT 59901
Dear City Council Members,
I am a city property owner and have been following various items related to city
improvements over the last couple of months. Please accept the following comments on
issues of both immediate and not -so immediate concern.
1. Traffic options for the Wolford development. I believe that Dose Crossing
has the potential to be a major east -west connector between the
airport/Highway 2 and Highway 93, and possibly by extension or other links,
such as via Church Dr., to the west valley. Who -pays -for -what may be less
important than preserving appropriate rights -of -way through the Wolford
property. The scheme to divert by-pass funds to extend the Reserve Loop
through Hutton Ranch (which I did not support) pointed up the difficulty of
re -engineering internal mall streets after the malls have had substantial build
out. Rose Crossing could/ will become a major arterial in the valley,
particularly if there are impediments to upgrading Reserve. If the city and the
developer work together, it will maximize both the commercial activity and
traffic movement. The consistent failure of the county to upgrade its roads
(unless a US senator literally calls them up and throws over $5 million at
something like the Reserve Loop) is unlikely to change overnight, but
maintaining feasible plans and cooperative transportation planning is still
good city policy.
2. Stay the course on the Highway 93 by-pass. It is needed and the brunt of the
degrading effects causes by large commercial truck traffic is being borne by
Kalispell residents and taxpayers. The rapid growth of retail north of town is
not a bad thing per se, but it has created a steep burden on the center of town
in terms of noise, emissions, Waits at lights, etc. due to the requirements of
construction and big box inventory maintenance. A limited access Hwy 93
bypass is overdue especially as the existing highway becomes ever more
localized with curb cuts, arterial lights, and prudent speed limits.
3. With the growth northward, non -vehicular links for bicycles and pedestrians
to the FVCC and the hospital complex have been neglected. It is time to
move redressing these oversights up on the city's transportation priority list.
4. Highway 93/Highway 2 beautification at Main and Idaho. A major part of me
says, "Why bother?" The two bronzes commissioned to date are worthy, but
the sites are not. Drivers have to be totally heads up and pedestrians even
more so. I tried to imagine myself sitting on the benches and could only
justify doing so if I were trying the screw up my courage to cross or were
recovering from a dash across either highway. Please consider alternative
locations such south of the courthouse, the FVCC campus, or locations that
are much less visually chaotic than the Main/Idaho intersection. If the
funding is site specific, then I recommend installing only the two sculptures
decided on to date and calling it "good".
Yours truly,
Margaret S Davis, blems@aol.com