An Impassioned Stance by a Concerned Citizen Garners Our Response
Brenda Roskos wrote an impassioned letter to the Montana Daily Gazette regarding the proposed Spring Creek Park development in Kalispell. Her letter also tells a tale of concerning development trends we now face throughout the Flathead Valley. One might take issue with Brenda’s blunt and direct comments, but her message is clear and emotions sincere. They echo the sentiments of many Flathead residents. Where are we taking our special place?
People who moved here to get away from “Anywhere USA” and the density of city life to enjoy the outdoors and privacy are now saddened to see aggressive development that tosses aside existing zoning designations in the name of what the developers deem progress. We see city councils blessing developments that are incompatible with current zoning and inconsistent with the character of our neighborhoods, potentially changing them forever.
Can you imagine what Whitefish would look like today if we had allowed high-rise condos or billboards downtown? Other projects being proposed present serious fire egress issues for residents at a time when experts tell us fire risk has never been greater. All of this leads one to question the priorities of those approving these developments.
A new and increasingly successful strategy of developers is to obtain a re-zoned PUD (Planned Unit Development) designation by wrapping the proposed project in an affordable housing ribbon, knowing it’s a hot button. And these pitches resonate even if the proposal amounts to minuscule number of deed restricted units, which were added solely as a means of gaining approval.
Cities are finding this an easy avenue to say they are addressing the important and real need for affordable housing. Indeed, one Whitefish city councilor recently said he would approve any project that included any number of affordable housing units.
But is this the answer? Is this leadership?
Relying upon developers dodges the responsibility of cities to create sensible master plans, etc. and is simply not a sustainable solution. This path also results in projects that many legacy residents—who represent the heart of our communities’ character—simply don’t want. City officials lured by increased tax revenue and an easy answer to affordable housing units leave the appearance they are more focused on satisfying developers than the people who elected them.
As citizens of the Flathead Valley who love it here and wish to preserve what makes this area special, we cannot bend to every profit-driven developer who will be here one day and gone the next. Like Brenda, we need to speak up loudly and be heard.
Read Brenda Roskos’ impassioned letter here.