Letters to the editor Oct. 26

Incumbents created Kalispell’s urban sprawl

Diane Etter’s letter on Oct. 17 really resonated with me. Thanks to our current Kalispell City Council, Two Mile Drive, which is barely 2 miles long, is faced with the addition of 1,300 apartment units, when counting the ones built in the last year or two, and adding in the ones approved to be built in the near future. 

Something is really wrong when that huge concentration is forced on one small part of Kalispell. 

The biggest project (664 units) is to be located in the middle of single-family neighborhoods, and on land zoned single family. The City Council unanimously voted to change the zoning and approved the project without any discussion at all. It is located several miles from the Kalispell city center, miles from shopping and miles from any other services. Talk about contributing to urban sprawl!

In addition, Two Mile Drive is a very narrow two-lane county road, with no shoulders at all and drainage ditches on both sides, so it would be extremely difficult and expensive to widen it, and there are no plans to do so. 

I do not understand why Kalispell continues to approve any and all projects, when Whitefish, Columbia Falls and Flathead County have all used common sense and listened to their citizens’ concerns.

If you’re not concerned because this is not your neighborhood, remember your neighborhood could be next. It’s time for new faces on the City Council, and way past time for the voters to speak out by voting out all of the incumbents.

— Darcy Albert, Kalispell

Vote for Hunter

I am writing this letter in support of Ryan Hunter’s reelection to the Kalispell City Council.  

He has impressed me over the years as a person who is inquisitive about matters affecting our community, of being a proactive planner, and a patient leader who takes the time to work with others to move projects along. I appreciate his background in urban planning and his efforts in making Kalispell a livable community.   

During this time of unprecedented growth, Ryan’s votes encourage pedestrian and bike friendly development versus transportation planning that prioritizes high-speed thru traffic.  He has a humane voice on the council when addressing our housing and homeless crisis and understands the importance of first responders by supporting them in the budget.  

Ryan has demonstrated in his time on the council as a person who wants to improve on what is best in Kalispell and that is why I encourage folks to vote for him to remain on the Kalispell City Council.

— Lance Isaak, Kalispell