Bangeman Re: Glacier Town CommentsDear Mayor and City Council Members,
I live at 45 E. Wyoming Street in Kalispell and cannot
attend tonight's meeting because of a previous
commitment, but I'd like to comment about the access
to Glacier Mall and other transportation issues. As a
resident in the "east/north" area of Kalispell near
Lawrence Park, I find it hard to get across Idaho to
get to downtown Kalispell or to get up to the hospital
and medical offices or anywhere north of town walking
or on a bike. True I can go to 3rd Ave E. or Main and
Idaho to catch stoplights, but they don't last long
enough at Main and Idaho to get across and people in
cars don't pay attention to pedestrians. Since 1st Ave
E. N. is a straight shot to 1st Ave. E., I like to
walk on it to get to the library or anywhere else
downtown and it is dangerous crossing by the old
Sportsman Ski Haus and out of the way to go up to 3rd
Ave. E. by Smiths. I think we need more careful
planning to make our community walkable and safe.
Sunset Blvd. is dangerous to walk or bike along and
there is no path designated for either, yet it is used
a lot by people going to the Salvation Army or wanting
to access other businesses and services north of town.
As a driver, I am overwhelmed by all the lights just
to get to reserve. I have had friends get in accidents
there because the lights are bright, blinding, and
drivers hurry through after the light has changed. So
I urge you to take more time and please support 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. I have 4 videotapes available
for your viewing by Dan Burden called Walkable
Communities, Designing for Pedestrians.
Also I believe we should keep Kalispell to Whitefish
safe and stoplight Free. Please uphold current city
and state policies for limited access on US Hwy 93. I
want you to preserve its safe and efficient operation
and the special character of our valley. You should
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 Kalispell Transportation Plan.
Not everyone wants to drive, so make plans for trails
to connect any new development that walkers and bikers
can use and make the developers pay for it.
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.
Thank you for your consideration, Johanna Bangeman
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