Kris Derentz 08-18-171
Christopher Johnson
From:Morgan Andrus
Sent:Friday, August 18, 2017 12:18 PM
To:C.Jay Coles
Subject:FW: Please Vote NO on Zoning Changes For Costco
Thanks-Morgan
From: Kristopher Derentz [ mailto:kderentz@gmail.com ]
Sent: Friday, August 18, 2017 8:59 AM
To: mayortammy
Subject: Please Vote NO on Zoning Changes For Costco
Dear Mayor,
I am writing you today in regards to the proposed Costco on Chinden & Ten Mile. I ask that you please do not
allow the zoning change and stick to the current comprehensive plan. I believe it will greatly affect the quality
of life for those residents in the Spur Wing, Spur Wing Greens, Bainbridge, Bridgetower West and other
surrounding neighborhoods, as well as anyone that has to travel that area of Chinden and Ten Mile.
Traffic along Chinden and Ten Mile has already grown substantially due to population growth, which shows no
signs of slowing down. The creation of a High-Density Commerical Center such as the proposed Costco /
Gasser complex would by definition draw hundreds of additional vehicles from surrounding towns, increasing
traffic congestion exponentially. Even if and when Chinden is widened, the extra lanes will barely keep up with
the organic population growth without such a Supercenter.
Noise. The changes would allow a Costco, to be operating 24 hours a day. That means delivery trucks, workers,
shoppers, lights, and traffic noise around the clock.This is a key reason why in most other cities around the U.S.
they are never built in residential neighborhoods and are located in commercial or high-traffic retail.
Internal traffic. Traffic could enter Costco from 3 Bainbridge streets: Tree Farm, Lost Rapids, and West
Vanderbilt. Those streets would feed into the proposed new residences, then continue into the Costco parking
area. Shoppers wanting to avoid traffic congestion on Chinden and Ten Mile could cut through the Bainbridge
causing additional dangers for residents.
Safety. Bainbridge residents who live near Wolf Rapids & Bolsena and SuprWing Greens who live near Tree
Farm will face increased traffic all in areas that are commonly walked in by their residents. To make matters
worst a new Elementry School will be going in between Bainbridge & Bridgetower West off Black Cat which
will increase the foot and bike traffic of children in the area.
Overcrowding. The developer’s proposal would eliminate current Plan requirements for pedestrian walkways,
adequate buffer zones, and setbacks from homes.
Property values. While some potential home buyers might like the convenience of having big-box stores so
close by, we believe the negatives would greatly outweigh the positives for most families. This will put
downward pressure on home values in SpurWing, SpurWing Greens, Bainbridge, and other communities in the
immediate area, especially those nearest the shopping center. Some homeowners will simply decide to live
elsewhere, contributing to an oversupply of homes for sale.
2
The City of Meridian states explicitly that a goal of the Comprehensive Plan is to “sustain, enhance, promote
and protect elements that contribute to the livability and a high-quality of life” for Meridian residents. We
believe the current plan is a good one that supports this goal and many of us made our home buying decisions
based on it. What value is such a plan if it can be altered as drastically as the developers are asking?
I understand that from a business perspective that adding a Costco to the city is tempting and desirable,
however, the current comprehensive plan has dedicated areas that are more appropriate for such a store. Costco
is not like other stores in the effect that his has mass appeal and has abnormally more traffic on a daily basis
than most other stores. We are in no way against growth, in fact, we support it, be we do feel that this specific
store is not appropriate for this location.
Best Regards,
Kris Derentz
Ph. 208.495.5828
kderentz@gmail.com