Elaine Taylor and Michael Smith 02-211
Christopher Johnson
From:Elaine Taylor <elaineorwaaz@hotmail.com>
Sent:Wednesday, February 21, 2018 10:39 AM
To:City Clerk
Subject:Proposed Zoning Changes at Ten Mile and Chinden
Honorable Mayor and City Council of Meridian
Planning and Zoning Commission of Meridian
Unable to attend the March 1, 2018 hearing, we write to you to convey our strong opposition to the proposed
zoning changes at Ten Mile and Chinden that would allow the siting of a major commercial business,
COSTCO. We are two senior citizens of Meridian, Idaho aged 78 and 70 who reside in Spurwing Greens. One
of us was born and raised in Idaho and the other in Oregon.
While there are many reasons we oppose this proposed zoning change, the strongest and most serious reason
we oppose it is the dramatic impact the proposal would have on traffic safety. We honestly find it
unbelievable that siting a Costco on an inadequate and overtaxed highway and in the midst of residential
neighborhoods is being considered. We have belonged to Costco for over 20 years; we make bi-weekly trips
to Costco wherever we are; and in all our years of Costco experience we have never seen a location that was
not a traffic nightmare.
Those of us who have NO choice but to drive Chinden daily have a plethora of traffic horror stories to share
with you ranging from serious wrecks and road rage to ever-increasing times to get anywhere, albeit a doctor
appointment or to visit family. I trust all of you are aware that Spurwing Greens has a single outlet at Tree
Farm Way, being boxed in by Phyllis Canal. No, we don't have a second outlet through Spurwing proper, as we
are kept out by two gates for the little strip of private road and informed that we may only use the private
road when going to the clubhouse. Regardless, both egresses dump onto Chinden only! Other large
developments talk about taking another route out of their neighborhoods to avoid traffic and new commercial
development, but we ask you to keep in mind that our neighborhood was allowed to develop with a
single ingress/egress!! This currently concerns us, and we shudder to think about the compounding suggested
by this proposal.
Many feel that this proposed zone change is a done deal because Costco is a giant, but you as our local
government representatives have the opportunity to be brave and do the right thing for north Meridian and
its citizens, and not have this dangerous mistake on your records. Please do what is right for Meridian
residents. Sure, the citizens of Eagle, Star, and Emmett would love to see this proposal go through for their
convenience. Say no to a zoning change that would create a traffic nightmare and a blight on a lovely part of
your community. Uphold your comprehensive plan.
Respectfully submitted,
Elaine Taylor and Michael Smith
3828 W. Snow Cherry Ct
Meridian, Idaho 83646