Ryan Kruger 04-021
Christopher Johnson
From:April Guinsler
Sent:Tuesday, April 03, 2018 9:21 AM
To:C.Jay Coles; Charlene Way; Chris Johnson
Subject:FW: Apartments on Ustick
From: Ryan Kruger [ mailto:krugs17@msn.com ]
Sent: Monday, April 02, 2018 6:03 PM
To: Ty Palmer; Anne Little Roberts; Genesis Milam; Joe Borton; Treg Bernt; Luke Cavener; mayortammy
Subject: Apartments on Ustick
Dear Madams and Sirs,
My name is Ryan Kruger and I live at 2430 W. Root Creek Street in Meridian.
I'm writing you today to weigh in for the opposition to the proposal of MORE apartments on Ustick and
Venable road (by the Jacksons gas station).
I'm not sure where each and every one of you stand on this particular development, but if you are in
agreement with this planned development please take a minute and hear me out.
The citizens of Meridian have had enough of the multi unit dwellings in our neighborhoods. Now before you
think this is a not in my backyard situation you are incorrect. I'm all for multi unit, where they are appropriate,
not necessarily in a single dwelling neighborhood. Along Eagle Road, or closer to the interstate for example
(the large complex by the RV dealerships on Overland comes to mind), or the 10 Mile interchange. Our
neighborhoods simply cannot take the traffic and certainly the schools are at capacity now. I realize these two
specifics don't mean a hill of beans to the city of Meridian as those are a state and ACHD/State issue...but to
us it does. Honestly, do any of you enjoy driving on Eagle Road? Ever? And now to add MORE apartments
and add MORE congestion with only one ingress and egress is absurd. I live in Kelly Creek subdivision and we
have exactly that, and with only one way in and out for the apartment complex in our neighborhood it can be
a nightmare getting onto McMillan from our sub.
In talking to my neighbors and I'm sure your's as well, it seems that the city of Meridian welcomes all
developers with open arms. The perception is that developers from not just here but Salt Lake, Seattle, etc.,
just show up with a bag of cash and the city rolls over. I realize that is only a crude perception, but walk and
talk to my neighbors and you'll hear this over and over. This city needs smart growth...boundaries, and
possibly even new laws. If a developer wants to develop a large parcel (as in other states like Arizona or
Texas) no problem...they also have to pay for the new school and roads to be developed first. What a concept
that us in Idaho do not have to fall back on.
I was heavily involved in the fight to keep the zoning from changing on Chinden a few years back (developer
wanted to build apartments where the dollar store and Black Rock Coffee now stands) and I highly, highly
encourage you to do the same here. I know not all of you will agree with me, and I VERY DISTINCTLY
remember Councilman Palmer excoriating us citizens after that vote in which he lost...but I urge you to do the
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right thing here and in the future and not sell our city to the highest bidder and actually encourage smart,
economical well planned growth.
Thank you for your time.
R