David Barnes 02-23City of Meridian Planning & Zoning
C.Jay Coles, City Clerk
33 E. Broadway Ave.
Meridian, ID 83642
RE: H-2018-004 Lost Rapids/Costco
To Whom it May Concern,
My name is David Barnes and I reside at 3699 W. Vanderbilt Drive, Meridian, ID 83646. I’m writing in
response to the proposed Costco at the corner of Ten Mile Rd. And Chinden Blvd. While I am not
completely opposed to the development that is currently being presented, I do believe that it creates
great concern for the nearby residences.
One of the concerns presented by the proposed development is the amount of “cut-through” traffic
utilizing Lost Rapids to avoid the intersection at Ten Mile and Chinden. I currently see a number of
vehicles using Lost Rapids to avoid the intersection, during heavy traffic periods. Costco’s are known for
their heavy traffic draw (this location is currently estimated at 3,000 to 5,000 car trips per day) and this
increased traffic will only further congest the existing intersection, and force people to utilize Lost
Rapids to avoid the intersection. There is currently nothing in place to limit, slow or otherwise divert the
traffic that opts to “cut-through”, using Lost Rapids. This increased traffic presents a danger to to the
neighborhood park that sets along Lost Rapids. This park has been one of the primary draws for a
number of the new families that have chosen this upscale location to reside in.
The value presented by this location to a commercial business, can’t be denied, but the infrastructure of
the surrounding area is simply not capable of supporting such a development. Chinden has been in
need of widening for years and while the proposed modifications by ACHD may help the traffic problems
in the immediate area of the development, there are limited alternate access points and the extent of
the upgrades needed to fully support this type of traffic are simply not budgeted for in current or
forecasted budgets of ITD, ACHD or the City of Meridian. The north/south access is also severely
hampered by the fact that Highway 16 is no where near being completed and connecting with Interstate
84. That project has hit major hurdles in trying to procure the needed land to connect with Interstate 84
and this hurdle could very likely take several years to overcome. If one looks at every Costco
constructed in the State of Idaho, you will see that everyone sets on a major interstate and is serviced
with no fewer than (4) lanes of traffic and sometimes (6) lanes. This current area is not capable of
supporting that amount of use. The potential heavier access points into this proposed development, off
of Chinden, are both unprotected/unregulated. With that many potential car trips on a daily basis, this
presents a hazard to the general public and will very likely further create additional congestion.
My family and I recently moved to Meridian, from Boise, as the family friendly values that Meridian
advertises and supports, are very near and dear to our hearts. That is why we selected this city to raise
our family and live in. We support, shop and invest in this great City, but this current proposed
development is counterproductive to what this community represents. We do fear of possible decline in
property values that this development will very likely cause. We have built our dream home and now
face the prospect of a Costco sitting approximately 1,000’ from our front door. Increased traffic, noise
and vehicle pollution will only devalue our investment. Our purchase was based on the current zoning
ordinances in place, as those ordinances are in place to help maintain the current quality of life that we
very much enjoy. The Bain Bridge Development is being sold as a large neighborhood subdivision and
this proposed development is not what is being used to advertise and sell the current homes in the area.
We are not ignorant of the value presented by the prospects of this current commercial property, but
there just isn’t the infrastructure to support such a development and maintain the quality of life that the
people of the City of Meridian has entrusted this commission in protecting.
I strongly encourage the commission to heavily weigh the prospects presented by this proposed
development and to see the potential negative impact that this development presents at this location.
Respectfully,
David Barnes
3699 W. Vanderbilt Dr.
Meridian, ID 83646
208-939-7631