Apartment project should follow city's master plan

I am writing this letter in response to the proposed development on East Second Street on the Kauffman land. When I was on the Whitefish City Council, David Kauffman came to the council requesting a zone change for that land. At the time the council voted against the zone change. I voted against the zone change for a couple of reasons, but the main reason was that the zoning change he was requesting was not in alignment with the Whitefish Master Plan.

As you may or may not be aware, the process of drafting and approving the master plan is an extensive years-long process that involves input from the community, neighborhood meetings and several public hearings. The Whitefish Master Plan is a guiding document for growth in the community and according to the most recent master plan, there were several areas within the community where the density Kauffman and the developers are requesting is allowed, but the area where this development is proposed is not within those areas.

When Kauffman came to the council he was denied a zoning change and the master plan was one of the reasons. If my memory is correct, traffic concerns and concerns about Cow Creek were also cited as reasons to not allow this zoning change. Allowing a zoning change that increases density sets a precedence and the council must understand the implications of that.

There were several neighborhoods that were completely changed for the worst, in my opinion, because of increased density and the fact that the concerns of the neighbors were not addressed. One of the main criteria in deciding whether a development should be allowed in a pre-existing neighborhood is whether or not said development threatens the integrity of a neighborhood. In my opinion, this proposed development threatens the integrity of the neighborhood, will lead to traffic that the infrastructure can’t support, and because of all of the proposed pavement could threaten the health of Cow Creek.

I know there will be people who will say I am a NIMBY because this development is in my neighborhood.

However, just to set the record straight, our house is on the market and we will most likely be moving out of this neighborhood.

Most of the people in the neighborhood understand that piece of property will eventually be developed. All that I ask as a current member of this neighborhood, but also as a member of this community, that this property be developed in accordance with the current zoning and the master plan.

My experience on the council has taught me that, even though it is impossible to foresee all of the consequences of development, the developers that worked with and honored the concerns of the neighbors, the zoning, the master plan and of course the wellbeing of the land, are the ones that standout and make this such a shining community.

— Velvet Phillips-Sullivan is a former Whitefish City Councilor