03-02 Rich Barney1
Christopher Johnson
From:Rich Barney <rich.barney@yahoo.com>
Sent:Friday, March 02, 2018 11:25 AM
To:Hillary Bodnar
Cc:C.Jay Coles; City Clerk
Subject:Comments on Meridian Costco Development Plan
I received a letter and layout showing the proposed Costco business at Chinden and Ten Mile and my comments
are as follows:
1. The main building appears to be a cookie cutter designed found all over the nation and must fit the business
needs well to entertain its construction once again. Not detailed on the sheet appears to be a gas station located
next to Chinden/Ten Mile intersection and appears isolated from the public street traffic pattern. Also shown
are future business developments next to the two major roads. My assumption is that that particular parcel of
land has been bought by Costco and their intent is to sell off portions to hide their complex over time. This
pattern can be seen in other states, other locations, Logan Utah, Bountiful, Utah to name a few.
2. The primary problem with this layout is with the ingress and egress to the property, showing only three
access points. The gas station has one intersection for both incoming and outgoing traffic and could be better
serving the customers if the traffic flow is one direction to eliminate the joint intersection now proposed. The
three access points to the property do not show dedicated turn signals or protected traffic lights to ease Costco's
traffic congestion. I suggest the planning commission to google Hillsboro, OR Costco and see how a major
intersection was used to provide access to the off street complex and added room for cars to wait for changing
lights. This egress proposal does not accommodate the driver needing to take a left turn...... and they will be
taking left turns.
3. Secondary concern is the parking spaces, or the percentage of parking to the percentage of space when
comparing it to the future commercial development next to each major street. Will those developments provide
their own parking or will it share Costco's? If Costco owns all the parcel, consider including stipulations to
future developments so parking will not be shared. The drawing suggests those businesses will share access
points with Costco, only in compound the ease to Costco.
4. My last point that Costco and the approval committee should discuss is the number of handicapped parking
spaces. I realize those spaces are based on percentages, either in total stalls or store occupancy. My dealing
with a handicap senior who needs the electric shopping cart, thus a close proximity to the store, the parking is a
crucial part to getting that person into the store. I can think of a half dozen times the Boise Costco has had
filled handicap stalls where we used out of the way parking to get a wheelchair and person out of the vehicle. I
suggest to Costco to plan a small building in the handicapped parking area where the electric carts can be
stored, charged, and secured similar to their carts using fold up/overhead doors. The person needing that
service can see the carts availability near the parking before getting out of the car ..... plus having a shorter
walk.
Thank you in advance for considering these points before accepting another cookie cutter design.
A SIDENOTE FOR MERIDIAN CITY.....
...... I called as instructed in the letter Costco provided and City personnel were polite and responsive in
attempting to address my need. It is clear they don't have time to document my points as done in the past. My
2
complaint and frustration was in directing me to "cityclerk@meridian" where I found too many selections and
no defined path to express points for the planning commission. The "Contact" option sent me to the phone call
I just made. The comment card looks like a opportunity to grade my experience. The Planning arena provided
a generic explanation but no way to leave any comment or even a contact person. I would suggest that revision
so I'm not having to trouble a city clerk to collect and forward. Just the list of assistants that position has
suggest the funneling of information can be dispersed better. ..... for what its worth.