Coyle Re: Glacier Town Center/MallDear City Council Members,
I would like to bring to your attention the following information for
you consideration regarding the Glacier Town Center/Mall.
* 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.
* Please provide the leadership to keep Kalispell to Whitefish
Safe and Stoplight Free. Uphold current city and state policies that
call for limited access on US Hwy 93. Preserve its safe and efficient
operation and the special character of our valley by requiring
interchanges and similar solutions to handle growing land use demands
for access along this corridor.
* 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.
* I do not support the Montana Department of Transportation's
current position that more stoplights can be allowed between Kalispell
and Whitefish. This position is not in accordance with city planning
documents or state policy. A better solution is needed!
A similar project in Idaho where reasonable demands were placed on the
developer are here for your review:
Ames Iowa holds Bucky Wolford to a higher standard for proposed mall
there
The Ames mall was proposed almost seven years ago at the same time as
the Glacier Mall here, and has been equally controversial there. For an
almost identical mall proposal in Ames, Iowa, developer Bucky Walford is
being required to meet a series of conditions before the City of Ames
will further process his development application. They set these
conditions two years ago with a December 2007 deadline for compliance,
all of which must be met. Mr. Wolford just recently failed to meet all
of these conditions and is asking for more time to do so. The conditions
included:
* To secure full commitments from major anchors and other
retailers for 330,000 square feet of retail space, a percentage of which
must be new to Ames.
* To obtain full title to all property included in the development
proposal.
* To obtain full financing for the project.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Kevin Coyle
120 Marvin's Way
Kalispell MT 59901