Do we need model trains in Whitefish? (hoa fees, insurance)

[bigtrees]

I don't think I ever anticipated asking that question!

Apparantly a developer is proposing a residential/commerical development in Whitefish, and to make it more attractive, they are proposing to install a 2 foot tall (16 inch wide) model train to run around the property. It will be powered by a 4 stroke gasoline engine, and is proposed to run from mid afternoon to late evening.

The developers didn't say if they are proposing to run it in the summers only, but I have to assume they won't try to run it in the winter.

I have to ask - is this an appropriate development for Whitefish? The neighbors are concerned about the noise and potential safety issues from the model train. According to the news article "the train's engine sounds like a Honda generator and will generate less noise than the neighborhood lawn mowers."

Link to the article Whitefish Pilot News Page

I'm curious to see what the people on here think of the project.

[Timberwolf232]

I like model trains. Sounds pretty neat.
Would be cool if the kiddies could ride on it.

As for potential safety issues:
How is a model train a safety issue? Sheesh!
Maybe we should all put our kids in bubbles! Maybe looking both ways before crossing the tracks or the street doesn't sit right with some. Seems to me the cars driving in and out would be more of a hazard.

My boy is not quite 2 and he rides shotgun with me in single engine airplanes, rides with me on horses, 4 wheelers, the boat, and even take him with me on our friends wave runner.

Now if he would only use the toilet...

[Stephan_K]

With the price of gas and that train running all day every day... I'd hate to see the HOA fees on one of those lots .

[bigtrees]

Originally Posted by Timberwolf232

I like model trains. Sounds pretty neat.
Would be cool if the kiddies could ride on it.

As for potential safety issues:
How is a model train a safety issue? Sheesh!
Maybe we should all put our kids in bubbles! Maybe looking both ways before crossing the tracks or the street doesn't sit right with some. Seems to me the cars driving in and out would be more of a hazard.

My boy is not quite 2 and he rides shotgun with me in single engine airplanes, rides with me on horses, 4 wheelers, the boat, and even take him with me on our friends wave runner.

Now if he would only use the toilet...

Well, I don't have a problem with a person (or a company) wanting to run a model train. Kids in Montana grow up doing all sorts of things that city kids never get to experience and that's great.

But I think its awfully weird to have a condominum (or homeowners) association run it....I've never seen anything like that in a development before. It just seems like a lot of maintenance for little benefit

[Timberwolf232]

Originally Posted by bigtrees

Well, I don't have a problem with a person (or a company) wanting to run a model train. Kids in Montana grow up doing all sorts of things that city kids never get to experience and that's great.

But I think its awfully weird to have a condominum (or homeowners) association run it....I've never seen anything like that in a development before. It just seems like a lot of maintenance for little benefit

I hear ya... Does seem a bit odd.

Sorry for the rant earlier, had a bad day.
-TW-

[jimj]

I have no problem with a private company doing this as long as it's done on private land with no concessions from the local government when it comes to right of way or public land being used. My only real concern is what does this say about the direction that Whitefish is going? Can everyone say "Aspen"? It seems more and more that Aspenfish is becoming an exclusive club that will cater to the wealthy with the locals just around to service them which is truely sad for the locals that haven't been driven out by the taxes yet.
Again, I like Whitefish, just not pleased with it's direction at this point.

[bigtrees]

Originally Posted by jimj

I have no problem with a private company doing this as long as it's done on private land with no concessions from the local government when it comes to right of way or public land being used. My only real concern is what does this say about the direction that Whitefish is going? Can everyone say "Aspen"? It seems more and more that Aspenfish is becoming an exclusive club that will cater to the wealthy with the locals just around to service them which is truely sad for the locals that haven't been driven out by the taxes yet.
Again, I like Whitefish, just not pleased with it's direction at this point.

The whole thing that's weird is it's not a private company that is doing this.....there is no company running the toy train. It's the darn homeowners association! (Or whatever you call them when they are a mixed use development). It's not like a mall is installing one to bring people in who will manage it, or the ski resort, or any of another number of actual companies.

Instead, the people who live (and companies who own business condos) would have to pay a monthly fee to run the darn thing as part of their homeowners dues. I'm assuming they would have to hire a full time person to watch the toy train being used, to fuel it, to maintain it. I don't know what the cost of that person would be but can't imagine it's cheap.

So I'm not saying there is any concern of mine for a private company to run one - I'm sure private companies do everywhere and if someone wants to do it, fine....but for a housing/business development to own one??

Like I keep saying, I've never seen a moving object like a train in a homeowners association community area (run by the HOA) before. I've seen lawns, fields, kids playground equipment, etc, etc, but never seen toy trains powered by gas engines.

It'll be interesting to see what the Whitefish City Council will say about the development.......

[Montana Baby]

Unless the homeowners have lots of $$$$ for association fees (maintance and insurance) I would think it would be cost prohibitive. What family can afford it, and those without kids or grandkids may not want to foot the bill so will buy elsewhere.

[jimj]

After pondering this thread for a bit the one thing that nags at me is the idea that this will be an end around to make the city pay. I've seen things like this done here before, a group says "oh,we want this and we'll pay for it and take care of it" which lasts for a little while, usually until the whole argument is forgotten about and then the group just stops taking care of it (with a wink and a nod) and the city is forced to step in or have an eyesore.
I guess I'd be more comfortable if there were a performance bond or a clause in the permit that caused a huge fine to be paid to be used for removal if the project ever defaulted on upkeep.